Has anyone played around with different action torque specs on the Bergara B14r? If so, what are your findings and is it worth messing with?
B14r Torque Specs
- Thread starter Poirierpro
- Start date
Short answer, yes. 40-45 seems to be best for mine with 60 being close. It does pay to mess around with it.
Yes try it, I tested 55, 45, and 35 inch lbs with 45 being the best in my gun.
I've read in several places on this site where guys have stated what a torque setting WAS on their action bolts (or scope rings etc). Are these figures based on the amount of torque that it took to break the bolts free? Is so, is that an accurate measurement? I'm not an engineer, but it seems like the torque used to set a bolt and the torque needed to break it free may not be the same, based on a lot of variables (like if/how the threads were prepped, etc etc). I'm guessing that if the fasteners are prepped correctly, break free torque will be less than setting torque. I may be wrong, just a thought...
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I like your thought process. I've not used a torque wrench to loosen a fastener. I was taught that was not good for the accuracy of the tool.
An interesting thing I've learned with fasteners that are stuck. It's usually easier to tighten them slightly, than it is to loosen them.
I was taught the same thing, and of my 3 torque wrenches, 2 of them are engraved "do not to use to loosen". I also have an old-school torque wrench that is used for bicycle components, and it has a scale in both directions. I've been playing with the torque setting on some action bolts, and it's taking just over half of the torque to loosen them as it takes to set them to 65 in/lbs. I'm sure there is some engineering explanation for this, I just don't know what it is. Thread pitch climbing vs descending or something, maybe? IDK, but interesting...
That is interesting. Have you ever read any of the tech articles on the ARP fastener site? I recall different torque specs for moly lube vs. oil, torque values vs. bolt/stud stretch, etc.
Exhaust manifold bolts have always been a challenge to remove without snapping. I found that a sharp rap with a ball-peen hammer square onto the end & then slightly tighten a fraction before reversing direction would often prevent them from snapping off.
I've not read those specific articles, but I am very familiar with their products (the best). Many years ago I dabbled in auto chassis and suspension design, and read similar information in books by guys like Carroll Smith etc. Seems like fasteners and the things that they endure is an engineering science all in itself. But... I guess for the purpose of this discussion, I'm just thinking that using break free torque as a guide for recommended torque settings MAY not be a great practice from what I am seeing. Again, I'm just speculating and thinking out loud, but it is interesting.
In the factory configuration, I'm not sure that it matters as much...
However, now that I placed mine in an MDT XRS I have noticed the once one hole shooter open up erratically at 65in lbs.
Brought it back to 45 and it closed up a bit, and now I plan to go back to the range at 40 in lbs to see if it'll group one hole again?...
So I suppose torque settings do play a part in rimfire accuracy Moreno than I previously thought.
