Rifle Scopes Silly Noob Question

[Jericho941]

I was remounting my rifle scope today and as I was doing so two of my ring screws sheered off (over torqued them), they were easy to extract and I plan on calling Valdada first thing Monday.

My question is: should I still operate my rifle with only two screws in one of the rings? I don't know what could happen, that why I'm asking.

Here are some pics:

 

[jasonk]

Re: Silly Noob Question

Only 40 in lb? That's way too much!

20 would have been plenty.

 

[jasonk]

Re: Silly Noob Question

More fyi
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2325506&gonew=1#UNREAD

 

[Jericho941]

Re: Silly Noob Question

Ah, this may be the problem, can I get the proper torque specs for both the ring screws and nuts. Seems as if I may have been miss led.

 

[Redmanss]

Re: Silly Noob Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: J3RICHO941</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was remounting my rifle scope today and as I was doing so two of my ring screws sheered off (only 40in.lbs. of pressure btw), they were easy to extract and I plan on calling Valdada first thing Monday.

My question is: should I still operate my rifle with only two screws in one of the rings? I don't know what could happen, that why I'm asking.</div></div> Holy crap that is a lot of torque! Typical torque for a ring cap screw is 15 in/lbs.

To answer your question though, yes, you can limp it along but get your rings properly torqued before you damage your tube if you haven't done so already.

 

[Jericho941]

Re: Silly Noob Question

Thank you sir, you answered my question before I asked it.

 

[neeley205]

Re: Silly Noob Question

hopefully they will take care of you even though your at fault if you put 40in/lbs on those. as Jason said, thats over 2x what your reccomended max is i bet.

best of luck to you, and i hope this doesnt become a very expensive lesson.

now the base of your rings may be 40 in/lb. but definately not the top.

 

[Jericho941]

Re: Silly Noob Question

Man I feel like an idiot, what was I thinking?!?!?!

Just re-torqued them, as good as I can get with current equipment, much less than what they were.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

Re: Silly Noob Question

You should be fine, they're probably 8-40 screws like a majority of the ring manufacturers use so you shouldn't have any trouble getting replacements. I've gotten replacements from Badger and Larue just by asking.

 

[BobinNC]

Re: Silly Noob Question

Yea, you used "only" 40 in/lbs on the rings screws. Most makers recommend 15-18 in/lbs........You only exceed it by 200% or so

Here's some good instructions:

Badger Ordnance - Mounting Rings and bases

 

[neeley205]

Re: Silly Noob Question

your actually lucky the screws/rings stripped before you crimped your scope tube. good thing your not using steel rings, you might have been in some real trouble.

 

[Jericho941]

Re: Silly Noob Question

The tube is okay, the screws themselves just came apart, no damage to scope or rings. Pretty lucky in spite of my stupidity.

 

[neeley205]

Re: Silly Noob Question

ahhh, dont sweat it. if thats the worst thing that happens today, its still a good day.

 

[Jericho941]

Re: Silly Noob Question

Funny and true

 

[Jericho941]

Re: Silly Noob Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BobinNC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yea, you used "only" 40 in/lbs on the rings screws. Most makers recommend 15-18 in/lbs........You only exceed it by 200% or so

Here's some good instructions:

Badger Ordnance - Mounting Rings and bases </div></div>

Thanks for those Bob. Time for some quality reading

 

[crnkin]

Re: Silly Noob Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nly205</div><div class="ubbcode-body">ahhh, dont sweat it. if thats the worst thing that happens today, its still a good day.</div></div>

Well said

 

[Trigger Monkey]

Re: Silly Noob Question

Like what's been said above, don't sweat it, get some new screws, use the proper torque and be happy. You should see what soldiers and Marines do to scopes....their approach to scope mounting is don't stop turning until the screws start squealing.

 

[Jericho941]

Re: Silly Noob Question

So, now that I have corrected my folly, what do you guys think about shooting it the way it is now? Can I shoot it the way it is, or should I wait till I get my replacement screws? It is a .308win if that helps.

 

[Pat M]

Re: Silly Noob Question

I would hold off shooting, scope may slip and leave a wicked scratch (had it happen on a MST-100 *F-ME* i was pissed)

 

[Redmanss]

Re: Silly Noob Question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: J3RICHO941</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So, now that I have corrected my folly, what do you guys think about shooting it the way it is now? Can I shoot it the way it is, or should I wait till I get my replacement screws? It is a .308win if that helps.</div></div>
OK, I'll say it again then...<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Redmanss</div><div class="ubbcode-body">To answer your question though, yes, you can limp it along but get your rings properly torqued before you damage your tube if you haven't done so already.</div></div> You aren't going to hurt it by shooting it with only 2 screws properly torqued on one ring and the other ring with all 4 screws. USMC M40A1s ran with two screw caps for decades. Just keep an eye out for it slipping. Might actually be a good test.

Confirm your zero every 20 shots or so, but I doubt it will have any issues at all with less than 200 rounds.

 

[Jericho941]

Re: Silly Noob Question

Thank you doubly Redman, I am going to take it out tomorrow, see how she shoots. I appreciate all your help.