Tikka/Bell & Carlson Torque

I have a Tikka T3X Lite and I replaced the stock with a B & C Sporter stock along with a High Desert rifle aluminum bottom metal. I have it assembled and it seems not to be shooting quite right does anyone have any ideas as to the torque specs for the action screws?

Jeremy will be along shortly, as will Jason, but I'd start with 45 in/lbs front, 35-40 in/lbs rear, per Beretta.

All my action screws get 65 in/lbs.

Don't have any wood stocked bolt actions.

What happened, I thought you had that rig running? You may recall, I have the exact same set up. Once you go to the High Desert bottom metal you can torque tighter. I learned on this set up that the barrel channel being opened up meant more than anything else. With the action installed and the screws loose, I sanded the channel all the way back to the lug. You can protect the barrel with a sheet of paper. I then tightened, and made sure my clearance was maintained as I torqued them to 65" lbs. (I should read back through my posts, but I'm pretty sure it was 65) BTW, High Desert Rifle Works bottom metal is a great product.

well, I could tell you whats wrong....but.......

Don't misunderstand me S&W it is shooting good, I just think I can do "GOODER" and forgot what I set the action screws at. I know it was not in the sixties as has been recommended. I do not regret making the changes it still shoots at least 1.0"groups but I want more of course and forgot my torque.
I went out for the first time in a few months and was in somewhat of a hurry (biggest issue) and didn't like the results, I probably just need to get back to the basics and fix my operator errors.

I’ve had 3 B&C tikka stocks, 2 of them didn’t fit so well. Barrel channel contact on one side. Seemed like the bedding block wasn’t set squarely into the stock, or the forearm wasn’t straight. The recoil lug is part of the aluminum bedding block on these so if it’s not a tight fit you could be getting some movement there, I’d also check to see if the action rocks back and forth any on the bedding block. Watch this as you torque action screws. If it seems like the bedding block could be the issue you could skim bed it.

I had the last one I bought bedded by a riflesmith, it solved the barrel channel off center issue and the rifle shot really well afterwards.

I've always suspected that a B & C is a stock for a guy that doesn't mind tinkering. Or for a guy that doesn't mind doing what you did, pay a guy that doesn't mind tinkering.

I’d agree with that. I wasn’t sure how to deal with the recoil lug on that particular stock, so I had a pro do the bedding job. I still don’t know how well his skim job with devcon over the aluminum recoil lug would’ve held up long term, I sold that rifle. It would be easier to deal with a Remington stock, just relieve the recoil lug recess is needed and bed it.

the manners tikka stocks I’ve had come with a steel lug and have fit well enough I don’t feel any tinkering was necessary. I think I’ve seen you mention you haven’t needed to bed yours either

The hex shape of the Tikka actions just hooks up to the stock better. Tony told me he's bedded Tikkas and saw no improvement, so it wasn't worth the trouble. The several that I have are not bedded, and if they miss, it is all my fault.

So re-torqued the action screws to sixty pounds, took the gun out this weekend. It worked out pretty good I pulled one but all in all am happy, life is "GOODER" Thanks folks

L-I-B

I keep a log of torque settings so I don't have to attempt to remember. I was once told that the value is less important than the return to the the original number after disassembly. What's your opinion on that thought?

Yes and no. There has to be a minimum value. 20 in/lbs might hold the barreled action in the stock for one shot. But on the other hand, not all need 65 in/lbs. I'm shooting a rifle today with a laminate stock that cannot take 65 in/lbs. So I started load testing at 40 in/lbs, but after three rounds I have to tighten to 40 in/lbs again. The last volley of three rounds, I went to 45 in/lbs, and after three shots it still required re-tightening. The stock needs pillars, but I stayed on top of the action screws, so I have it working.

I put my savage in a bell and Carlson when I changed the barrel. It has an aluminum bedding block, but I had to file/sand quite a bit out of the tang area to get the action to contact the bedding block. I have yet to fire it, but getting closer every day. Got my ladder loaded and finally bought a chronograph