This is an interesting post and saved me asking the same basic question. I have a set of Nikon P-Series scope mounts and was wondering what to torque them to, mounting a Burris Fullfield E1 scope on my AR. (The Nikon website doesn't specify.) I had already mounted everything using "tight enough" settings and taken it to the range once, with no problems. Then I finally bought an in-lb torque wrench, and decided to call Nikon and inquire. I was told that the specs for the P-Series are 30 in-lbs for the cross bolts and 25 in-lbs for the rings. I checked my mountings, and the cross bolts are at least 25 in-lbs, so I left them alone and didn't torque them any further, since the crossbolts are also Loctited. The rings were not even 20, so I torqued them to about 22. I figure this gives me some insurance, without going overboard and risking damage to the scope tube. (The .223 isn't a particularly brutal round in terms of recoil.) I may have to rezero a bit; we'll see at my next range session. But my point in relaying all this is that as imashooter and others have pointed out, at some point you have to use your judgment on how tight to go. There is not always an exact figure for every scope, ring, and caliber combination.
