Scope & Rifle Torque Specs Database

With so many different rifle manufacturers, and even more accessory manufacturers for items like picatinny rails, stocks, chassis and scope rings popping up every day, it may be hard to know what torque specs you need to use on your rifle and the scope rings. There are however certain universal truths and engineering torque specs when it comes to certain types of mounts, screws, aluminum and metals, so although many manufacturers provide their own torque specs, many do not, and the universal torque specs for that type of mechanical join would be fine to use.

Every time I have had to fit a scope mount to a rifle action, or scope rings to a picatinny rail, or a barreled action to a chassis after taking it off, I had to search for the torque specs again on Google. Usually I find them after going through 5 or 10 results, but it still takes time. So I decided to create one rifle and scope ring torque specs database which I can bookmark and check back to quickly if I mount something to my rifle again. I added it on the website so all of you can also bookmark it and refer back to it whenever you take off a scope from a rifle and remount it, or take your barreled action of your chassis for cleaning and remount it again.

It is important to use a proper rifle torque wrench during installation of your rifle scope, rifle scope rings, and rifle action into the stock, as that is the only way you can really ensure you tighten the screws to the correct torque spec.

How tight should I torque my scope?

Most scope ring manufacturers provide their scope ring torque spec on the installation instruction manual, but a general torque of 15-20 in/lbs for the scope rings onto the scope is recommended. Some manufacturers like Tier One even have the torque specs printed on the rings for easy reference when removing and re-installing them.

What is the torque on scope screws?

Scope screws, also known as scope mounting screws or scope ring screws, are the screws that are used to attach a scope rings to the scope and the firearm. The torque on these screws is critical in order to achieve a proper and secure attachment. If the torque is too high, it can damage the screw or the threads it is screwed into. If the torque is too low, the connection will not be secure and could come loose, which can be dangerous.

There are many factors that can affect the optimum torque for scope screws, such as the type of screw (Button head screws vs Socket head Cap screws), the type of metal (steel vs aluminum), and even the thread pitch. In general, however, most experts recommend using between 15-20 in/lbs for the scope ring caps, and 35-55 in/lbs for the scope rings to the base or picatinny rail.

What happens if you over tighten a scope?

If you over tighten a rifle scope, you may break the internals of the scope, which can lead to a number of problems. The reticle may become misaligned or unable to adjust or move, or the lenses could crack. In extreme cases, the entire scope could come apart. If this happens while you’re shooting, it could be extremely dangerous. Always make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and torque specs listed above when mounting a scope on a rifle.

Should Loctite be used on scope mounts?

There are mixed opinions on using Loctite on rifle scope mounts. Some people feel that it helps keep the scope more securely attached, while others worry that it can make it more difficult to remove the scope if necessary. Ultimately, it is a personal decision whether or not to use Loctite (or any other type of adhesive) on rifle scope mounts, but keep in mind that most manufacturer scope torque specs are when tightened without Loctite. If you do decide to use Loctite, be sure to follow the instructions carefully and tighten it to a much lower torque so that you don’t end up with a scope that is permanently attached to the mount!

Should scope rings have a gap?

Unless you have the Barrett Zero-Gap rings, yes all scope rings should have a gap. If tightening past that gap until the rings touch, you will most certainly damage your scope tube.

How high should your scope rings be?

Read our detailed post on how to determine the correct scope height for you, your rifle and your shooting purpose here.

When to re check rifle screw torque?

Most precision rifle competition shooters agree that all rifle, chassis and scope ring screws need to be checked for tightness and torque before every major competition or hunting trip. Is this overkill? No. Especially given how many times I have seen good shooters fall out on competition days only to find out somewhere during the day, the reason they were missing or shooting all over the place, was because of a loose screw somewhere no the rifle. I personally have had my picatinny rail come slightly loose causing me to shoot all over, in a PRS finale match, which proved disastrous, the only three screws I did not torque and check the night before, as that would have required the removal of my scope to do so, well, I will be removing my scope and checking them in all future occasions. This of course will not happen with certain actions like certain Defiance and Impact precision actions that have integrated picatinny rails.

Not checking tightness and torque of screws can not only cause bad performance, but can also prove dangerous for instance if trigger hanger screws back out during a competition, causing the trigger sear not to engage which could mean that the trigger would fire upon closing the bolt, which could lead to dangerous accidental discharges. So yes, checking your rifle screw torque often is very important.