Torque wrench for scope rings?
Hello all. Thought I would post a question in here while the section is still new.
The last time I mounted a scope, I over-tightened the rings and damaged the scope tube. That got me to wondering, does anyone use a torque wrench when tightening scope rings? The torque wrench obviously would be used to prevent over-tightening. Is such a wrench even available for hex bolts or are they for sockets only? Thanks. And no, I am not a gunsmith. ~Robert |
Wheeler Engineering FAT (Firearm Accurizing Torque) Torque Wrench Screwdriver
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...718023#enlarge $55.99 JMHO |
The FAT wrenches are about $40-$50 on ebay.
I use a regular click style torque wrench with a socket on it that fits my bits when I mount scopes or mess with forearm screws. Check the pittsburg tools torque wrenches from Harbor freight. They can be had for less than $20 and hold up great. I have had a complete set of HF torque wrenches for 5 years and they get used alot...I drive a Jeep and always have to work on it. My first torque wrench was a crapsman and it fell apart the first time I used it. It was all plastic. The ones from HF are all metal and have lifetime warranty. |
Forget the wrench because when you set it to 17 inch pounds (this is what Leupold recommends) you are going to tighten the screws more any way. 17 inch pounds isn't very much torque at all and you aren't going to believe it is sufficient.
I recommend that you just don't tighten the screws as much as you use to. Screw the screws down until the are just slightly snug. Then another 1/2 turn and you are about right. |
I'm no gunsmith but what you are looking for is a torque driver. As far as I'm concerned it is the only way to assemble a gun, mount a scope or do anything that requires consistent assembly.
First of all the Fat Wrench is junk. Not repeatable and no precision at all. I use a Wera, it cost about $80-$100 and it is calibrated to a National Standard as opposed to some chinese kids best guess. Aluminum scope rings 12-15 in lbs. depending on quality. Steel rings slightly more..like BB said 17-18 in lb. If you mount one this way you will never mount another without a torque driver. |
Thanks guys! I will check those out. I don't need to be crushing scope tubes!
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Like BB said....17 in lb. is probably alot less than you might think and your first thought will be to go more.
I also alternate tightening ie. front left, rear right, front right, rear left, all the while making sure the split gap is the same on each half on each side. http://www.wera.de/catalog_de.html?L...djustment.html |
Originally Posted by jrbsr
(Post 3612812)
Wheeler Engineering FAT (Firearm Accurizing Torque) Torque Wrench Screwdriver
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...718023#enlarge $55.99 JMHO |
Originally Posted by skb2706
(Post 3612946)
Aluminum scope rings 12-15 in lbs. depending on quality. Steel rings slightly more..like BB said 17-18 in lb. If you mount one this way you will never mount another without a torque driver. |
To each his own I have a setable torque wrench I saved when I sold the shop and retired and I set it for 21 inch pounds because thats the way I was taugth 52 years ago.
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