Torque on Synthetic Remington 700 Stock

[Flynt]

I'm have a stainless Remington 700 with a synthetic stock. The trigger is terrible, so I'm planning on replacing the springs with weaker ones and trying my hand at adjusting it. I'm OK on the adjusting part -- found instructions on the web. However, I'm a little uncertain about re-installing the stock. Is there any specific torque requirement on the bolts? Or just hand tighten as tight as you can? Thanks.

 

[asknight]

I haven't checked my notes in a long time, but 55-65 inch/pounds sounds about right. Don't go too tight, or you're certain to break the plastic trigger guard!

The 700 trigger can be adjusted to be a respectable trigger with the built-in adjustments, without disassembly and the headache of respringing it. Please read this article. I've printed it and added it to my workbook in my toy room, and consulted it many times!

 

[Flynt]

Thanks, Asknight. I went to your article and ended up exploring the rest of th website. Really interesting.

One more question, since I don't have a torque gauge, is there anyway I can guesstimate right torque (and this 700 is stainless; I think the trigger guard is metal.)

Thanks again.

 

[asknight]

The best guesstimate for 55-65in/lbs is snugged up, plus one complete turn if you have a synthetic stock. You can overtighten a synthetic stock bedding screw without as much ill effect as if you had a walnut stock (risk of cracking) or a glass bedded stock of any type (cracking too).

I had a nightmare getting my 700ADL synthetic in .30-06 to shoot. It required free floating the barrel by hogging out the pressure points in the stock, and bedding the chamber and recoil lug area with electrical tape. I adjusted the trigger per the above mentioned instructions down to 3lbs and obtained 100 yard groups of one small ragged hole with two different 180gr loads. It still scatters 150gr loads like buckshot.

Even though I have learned what the rifle is capable of, I am not yet satisfied with this setup as the POI changes each time I remove the action from the stock. I'm seeing about an inch and a half POI changes at 100yds due to the "bedding." I don't think the factory stock would take a good glass bed as it flexes a bit too much.

I've hunted with it two seasons though, and it works great as long as I rezero (two shots) after putting the action back in the stock. Sounds like a good time for a Boyd's JRS laminate with a good bedding to be fitted.

Cheers!

 

[grosland]

After taking apart and cleaning my Rem 700 with synthetic stock, I had difficulty with closing the bolt if the front screw was tentiioned too tight. I wrote Remington a letter to ascertain the proper torquing procedure but all I got was a form letter that offered no real assistance.
I used a 3/8 inch ratchet torque wrench and torqued the rear screws at 20 and the front at 40 in/lbs and it worked wonderfully. The settings from the Mod 700 manual state torque at 60, 40, 20 respectively for the fornt, middle and rear screws. However, that caused problems with my rifle. Only when I reduced the front setting down to 40 in/bls did my rifle perform.
I can't say that this is the proper methodology, but it worked for me and the rifle routinely shoots better than 1/2" at 100 yds with reloads.
grosland

 

[3pairs12]

Thanks asknight i am going to "play" with my trigger now your article has inspired me.