School me on Scope ring torque

ID_Matt

WKR
Joined
May 16, 2017
Messages
1,345
Location
Southern ID
Ok, so i have always just defaulted to 20 in lbs for my scopes but want to see what everyone else thinks.

Scenario 1: Hawkins ultra light tactical rings state 25 in lbs, and nightforce manual says to refer to the ring manufacture torque specs. This is with an NX8.

Scenario 2: Warne Mountain tech rings state refer to scope owners manual, trijicon tenmile owners manual says refer to scope manufactured recommendation.

I know certain scopes are pretty specific on torque specs. Does it make a difference in say, 4 screw vs 6 screw? Screw size? Which do you default to? Or does everyone just choose a number, be it 15,18, or 20, and just roll with it on everything? I know Form always mentions 18 in his scope evaluations. I have always just defaulted to 20.
 

Marbles

WKR
Classified Approved
Joined
May 16, 2020
Messages
3,686
Location
AK
I go with 25 in lbs with locktite. Not had an issue with Weaver, NF, SWFA, or S&B scopes. Most people say that is over torquing.
 

grfox92

WKR
Joined
Mar 14, 2017
Messages
2,397
Location
NW WY
Usually run with ring mfg recommendations.

Screw size, number of screws, friction, and ring width determine pressure.

15-18 in lbs is pretty typical. I use 15 in lbs on my lightweight magnum with zero issues. People will have way more problems over torquing - especially when using loctite (which isnt recommended).
Could you elaborate on not using loctite?

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk
 
Joined
Apr 21, 2015
Messages
970
I generally do 18-20 with blue loctite. But I review what the ring oem says and don’t get to far off of that.


Loctite or any lube will change the resulting torque over a dry measurement. It’s not something I ever worry about.
 
Joined
Jan 27, 2022
Messages
849
Ring to rail = 25-30 in/lbs
Ring screws - 15-20 in/lbs

I used loctite in the past, but haven't done it in many years. Still use it to attach the rail to action, but not on the rings.
 
OP
ID_Matt

ID_Matt

WKR
Joined
May 16, 2017
Messages
1,345
Location
Southern ID
Usually run with ring mfg recommendations.

Screw size, number of screws, friction, and ring width determine pressure.

15-18 in lbs is pretty typical. I use 15 in lbs on my lightweight magnum with zero issues. People will have way more problems over torquing - especially when using loctite (which isnt recommended).
So in scenario 1, you'd go with 25 in lbs on the Hawkins/nightforce?
 

Antares

WKR
Joined
Jan 13, 2021
Messages
1,724
Location
Alaska
I do 20 in/lbs dry on ring halves and 50 in/lbs dry ring to rail. Not necessarily because it’s best, but it’s easy to remember and seems to work fine.
 
OP
ID_Matt

ID_Matt

WKR
Joined
May 16, 2017
Messages
1,345
Location
Southern ID
Another thing to add, used to always use the more liquid type blue loc tite in the red tube. Talked to someone at a screw store that turned me on to the chap stick type loc tite. Seems to have less "lubricity"
 

Antares

WKR
Joined
Jan 13, 2021
Messages
1,724
Location
Alaska
I quit using any type of thread locker because I disassemble and reassemble my stuff so often, I got sick of cleaning of the residue. I think dry torque works fine. I’ve never had anything come loose. However, I still loctite my rail screws.
 

amassi

WKR
Joined
May 26, 2018
Messages
3,658
So in scenario 1, you'd go with 25 in lbs on the Hawkins/nightforce?
Yes you won't hurt that nx8 with 25. If it were a vortex you'd break it and vortex would reccomend 15-18 "#. Scopes will slip at that range and won't slip at 25 so long as the rings and scope are decreased
 

huntnful

WKR
Joined
Oct 10, 2020
Messages
1,229
Location
Central CA
I put 50in lbs from ring to rail and 25in lbs from ring to ring. Blue loctite everything, even though it's probably not necessary. 20 in lbs is safe bet IMO
 
Top