Torque sequence on 700ADL Walnut Stock

[H1500308]

I'm learning the hard way. I had removed the barreled action from the stock for cleaning. As I was reassembling and tightening the action screws, I heard (and saw) a small crack develop in the wooden stock just above and forward of the trigger guard. I don't think I overtorqued the screws but I imagine that I torqued out of sequence and caused the damage.

So...I'm going to have order another stock but the real question is: What is the correct sequence for installing and torquing these screws?

Thanks.

 

[saddlerocker]

not sure for remington, but weatherby gives a sequence on their website for their stocks.
Check remington website

 

[Cemetery21]

I don't think your crack is from the torque sequence. In the ADL, it's very difficult to keep the lower leg of the magazine spring inside the magazine box when slipping the action into the stock. If the end of the mag spring extends outside the mag box and the action screws are tightened, the very thin piece of the stock below the mag well will crack. Been there and done that. After that experience, I tape the bottom leg of the spring in alignment with the mag well to prevent.
BTW, the torque sequence I use is; start the front and rear screws, fully torque the front (just behind the recoil lug), then lightly torque the rear, then insert the center and tighten only enough to hold the trigger guard firmly.
In some old 700 benchrest rifles, only the front action screw was used. The rear stock hole was plugged and a short screw was used just to hold the trigger guard. With that in mind, I don't put a lot of torque on the rear screw. I'm sure there is a factory spec, but this has worked for me since the early 70s. I should note that mine are all bedded with Metal Set A4.

 

[rcmodel]

I agree with Cemetery21.
Something wasn't lined up right in the magazine assembly.

The cracked stock was not caused by torquing the action screws out of sequence, or over-torquing them.

It is impossible to tighten them that tight with normal hand tools.

Always tighten the recoil lug screw first on any bolt action rifle.
The rear tang screw next, but probably not as tight.
Followed by the center guard screw, if the rifle has one.
It should not be very tight at all, as over-tightening can spring the action..

At least thats the way it works on most bolt-guns.

rc

 

[H1500308]

RC and Cemetery21,

After going over this again, I think you both hit the nail on the head. It did seem that the magazine spring assembly was difficult to seat properly. My initial thought prior to posting my question was that something was not in alignment and the tightening of the action screws caused the stock to crack due to pressures being applied to points where it was not intended to be applied.

Oh well, like I said, learning the hard way.

 

[Cemetery21]

It's up to you, but you might consider repairing the stock. If it cracked below the mag well, that is not a high stress area (it is cut completely out on a BDL). I worked some really thin epoxy into the one I cracked and never knew the difference. Just remember to tape the mag spring into the mag box for future installs.
There is also the option to go with a BDL floorplate, if you feel up to inletting it into the stock. I have done that on ADL and on an old 722 stock, but it takes a lot of patience.