Barrel torque settings

[Georgelundy]

Hey all,

I'm installing a proof CF barrel on a kelbly action. This is my first time doing this and I have a question about torque specs.

Kelbly recommends a torque of 100 ft/lbs

Proof recommends a torque of 80 ft/lbs

Do I use one of the torque specs above or just pick a number in the middle (90 ft/lbs)?

Thank you in advance!

 

[oldrifleman]

Go 100 lb/ft, at least

 

[Pete B]

Dude, it really doesn't matter...... If there was a secret number that performed the best, those rifles would be smashing everyone else.
Manufacturers will always be on the higher torques quoted.

 

[Rob01]

What Pete said. I usually do mine around 60 ft/lbs now. Easier to take off and on plenty tight.

 

[Rodney65]

I didn't have an internal wrench for my last one and just guessed what I thought 80-100 foot pounds would be. Rifle has shot great so it's probably not something that you need to get perfect.

 

[OREGUN]

All my barrels go on at 55 ft/lbs. Dozens of barrels. Easy on, easy off. Once the shoulders touch, you’re just stretching threads.

 

[kthomas]

Doesn't really matter, as others have pointed out.

I usually do around 75 ft-lbs, but 80 works. So does 100. Or 120. Or 60. Or anything in between.

 

[Rob01]

Once the shoulders touch, you’re just stretching threads.

Funny you mention that as one of the most respected rifle building companies around doesn’t even use a torque wrench. They use a long T handle action wrench and turn action on barrel until the shoulder meets the action, back off about a quarter turn and slam it home. Done.

 

[OREGUN]

Doesn’t the TAC OPS guy in California say that super high barrel torque is part of their secret sauce. Like several hundred ft/lbs? Maybe I’m making that up.

 

[Rob01]

Doesn’t the TAC OPS guy in California say that super high barrel torque is part of their secret sauce. Like several hundred ft/lbs? Maybe I’m making that up.

Yeah I think Mike uses about 150 if I remember correctly.

 

[OREGUN]

Funny you mention that as one of the most respected rifle building companies around doesn’t even use a torque wrench. They use a long T handle action wrench and turn action on barrel until the shoulder meets the action, back off about a quarter turn and slam it home. Done.

Sounds about right. I’ve heard that too.

 

[whatsupdoc]

I have done barrels at 100 ft/lbs, never again bitch to get off. I now do 60 ft/lbs and my rifles shoot excellent.

My AI's barrel gets tightened to whatever torque it takes for two hands to slip twisting on the barrel
and it shoots bugholes.

 

[Rob01]

Sounds about right. I’ve heard that too.

I saw it. Watched them doing it while hanging at the shop years back. Never a customer complaint about them being too loose. lol

 

[Holliday]

How I do it….

 

[Mike Casselton]

Doesn’t the TAC OPS guy in California say that super high barrel torque is part of their secret sauce. Like several hundred ft/lbs? Maybe I’m making that up.

I can say for sure my best barrel to date was 130lb/ft.

 

[FuhQ]

Evolved recommended 100 for my Proof prefit for the Solus. Aero says 75 max on their action wrench, my torque wrench goes to 80... I went with 80. No issues here.

 

[Shanerbanner10]

30 ft/lbs for a rifle I switch barrels on, 80 ft/lbs if the barrel will stay. Does it matter absolutely not. Pick a number between 30-100 ft/lbs.

 

[Tokay444]

Yeah I think Mike uses about 150 if I remember correctly.

over 500. He maxes out the torque wrench and bubba keeps going.

 

[spife7980]

Hey all,

I'm installing a proof CF barrel on a kelbly action. This is my first time doing this and I have a question about torque specs.

Kelbly recommends a torque of 100 ft/lbs

Proof recommends a torque of 80 ft/lbs

Do I use one of the torque specs above or just pick a number in the middle (90 ft/lbs)?

Thank you in advance!

Doesn’t ultimately matter. I usually go to 80.

But, that’s just because where I go “yep, that’s not coming loose” amount of muscle without going into actually, idk, core engagement. Just good’n’tight.

Make sure your not clamping/cracking the carbon.

 

[Wannashootit]

All my barrels go on at 55 ft/lbs. Dozens of barrels. Easy on, easy off. Once the shoulders touch, you’re just stretching threads.

This. Perfectly parallel and faced with excellent surface finish, there's nothing to "crush". If shoulders aren't parallel, and/or poor surface finish those surfaces will deform/crush with the torque applied to them.

 

[Georgelundy]

Thanks all for the great feedback! I really appreciate it. You guys are great!
I'm going to go with 80 since I'll likely have to rebarrel in a year or two and want to be able to take the old barrel off.

 

[wpeach1912]

Approximately 2-3 ugga duggas on a Milwaukee M18 1/2” impact

 

[OREGUN]

Am I the only one using an 8ft cheater to get somewhere near 2700 lb/ft of torque? Light torque leads to cold bore shift. Go as hard as you can. Thats what I always say.

 

[oldrifleman]

I was a 75 lb/ft guy until I talked to Mike. He said that the high Torque helps with temperature shifts and his toques start at 300 and I guess some were 500-600 ( not sure long the cheater bar was, probably grows depending on how much he has had to drink). On my last one I went to 150 ( highest setting on my wrench).

 

[NiteQwill]

I do 69 ft/lbs cuz I like the number

(It's my wife's birthday you dirty minds)

 

[Rob01]

I was a 75 lb/ft guy until I talked to Mike. He said that the high Torque helps with temperature shifts and his toques start at 300 and I guess some were 500-600 ( not sure long the cheater bar was, probably grows depending on how much he has had to drink). On my last one I went to 150 ( highest setting on my wrench).

That’s insane! lol

 

[Tokay444]

It’s not really. Critical fasteners in the same diameter are usually torqued to over 1000lb/ft.

 

[Wannashootit]

He said that the high Torque helps with temperature shifts

Huh?

 

[Rob01]

It’s not really. Critical fasteners in the same thread pitch are usually torqued to over 1000lb/ft.

Yes it is. It’s a rifle barrel. It does not need that much torque for any reason.

 

[Pete B]

I'd keep in mind that at some point, if you're lucky enough to get the trigger time, that fucker will need to come off!!!

 

[OREGUN]

I was a 75 lb/ft guy until I talked to Mike. He said that the high Torque helps with temperature shifts and his toques start at 300 and I guess some were 500-600 ( not sure long the cheater bar was, probably grows depending on how much he has had to drink). On my last one I went to 150 ( highest setting on my wrench).

That’s what I thought I remembered hearing…somewhere around 400 foot pounds.

 

[NiteQwill]

Anything over 100 ft/lbs on a rifle barrel is dumb (small D) and unnecessary.

 

[reelserious]

I use 75 and call it a day. I want to be able to get it off some day

 

[FuhQ]

I want to be able to get it off some day

 

[King_beardsly]

I set my high dollar uber high precision harbor freight torque wrench to 75-80lbs and send it.

 

[chevy_man]

About 60-80 ft lbs. Whatever feels good that night.


I use a bending bar rather than a clicker. So you can see it stop moving anything and watch the torque build. I witness marked one at 30, then went to 100. It may have moved, but so little it wasn't really measurable.

My only concern now is tight enough that if I get the can stuck I don't have the barrel back out.