Others Scope tightening torque,how to guess?

[Dadwag]

I’ve read the scope caps should be tightened to 18-20 inch pounds to avoid damage. How does one estimate how snug that should be without an in pound torque device. I use a T handle Allen wrench on most of my scopes. I just wonder if I have inadvertently damaged any scopes, I don’t gorilla gripTIA Stay well all

 

[Solo1]

I’ve read the scope caps should be tightened to 18-20 inch pounds to avoid damage. How does one estimate how snug that should be without an in pound torque device. I use a T handle Allen wrench on most of my scopes. I just wonder if I have inadvertently damaged any scopes, I don’t gorilla gripTIA Stay well all

Only way to torque to a spec is with a torque wrench.

https://www.amazon.com/Fix-Sticks-Tightening-Accurate-inch-lbs/dp/B0D7DTL932/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=2NAMJL7FJVRTV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yOsty8UvWMw6qoc3hciBPjZDF_aDWVVe0_5T7CU0wHoIawisWRc_AZsIltAN2A0EjjLr_Ep2BwGYx2BhSgVi18oZMEdBbNVQe5AYgyhpivpKA-4TAK1xZb9YMDZapmX4D801TrQc-oNYhKB1cbgHKF6IqoRaUxlLhzrbrzlGs9qRK90DexGVrLQlGgmLoVv47cLP2DhCKYPHQbvtU-1Qug.jlrR6cwWtLbp8-lqdQPI6UurfhP2z1rK91vqWCcl5Uo&dib_tag=se&keywords=fix+it+sticks&qid=1786757301&sprefix=fix+it%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

 

[Dadwag]

Only way to torque to a spec is with a torque wrench.

https://www.amazon.com/Fix-Sticks-Tightening-Accurate-inch-lbs/dp/B0D7DTL932/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=2NAMJL7FJVRTV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yOsty8UvWMw6qoc3hciBPjZDF_aDWVVe0_5T7CU0wHoIawisWRc_AZsIltAN2A0EjjLr_Ep2BwGYx2BhSgVi18oZMEdBbNVQe5AYgyhpivpKA-4TAK1xZb9YMDZapmX4D801TrQc-oNYhKB1cbgHKF6IqoRaUxlLhzrbrzlGs9qRK90DexGVrLQlGgmLoVv47cLP2DhCKYPHQbvtU-1Qug.jlrR6cwWtLbp8-lqdQPI6UurfhP2z1rK91vqWCcl5Uo&dib_tag=se&keywords=fix+it+sticks&qid=1786757301&sprefix=fix+it%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

Thanks, never saw one before. As a retired heavy mechanic I've seen tons of torque wrenches but never on so small. Thanks.

 

[jps2486]

Thanks, never saw one before. As a retired heavy mechanic I've seen tons of torque wrenches but never on so small. Thanks.

Get a Wheeler torque wrench. Amazon, as well as some other airgun dealers has them.

https://www.amazon.com/Wheeler-Accurizing-Measurement-Gunsmithing-Maintenance/dp/B0012AXR4S/ref=sr_1_10?sr=8-10

 

[Billm]

I bought a digital one on Amazon for $50. I’m mechanically inclined, I have to read the flow chart every time I use it LOL.

 

[Murfdurf82]

This is my budget torque wrench. It seems accurate and I've found I had been under tightening once I've used it. It's not as nice as wheelers but comes with a lot of attachments. I would have purchased the wheeler one but this is the 1st time I've seen it. I like wheeler products.
Limited-time deal: coobeast 49Pcs Preset 1/4” Drive Torque Screwdriver with S2 Bits | Torque Wrench Screwdriver Set, for Maintenance,Tools,Bike Repairing,Mounting,Inch Pound Torque Range 10-70 In-lb https://a.co/d/0557lRRi

 

[Madhatter]

This is what I use.

https://a.co/d/03pyTeiY

 

[Playingdead]

This is what I use.

https://a.co/d/03pyTeiY

Same. Also have a Wheeler and like that one better.

 

[Madhatter]

Actually I use the wheeler 1 also. I didn't look close enough at what I posted thinking that was what I bought. Mines not even yellow!

 

[jps2486]

This is what I use.

https://a.co/d/03pyTeiY

Wheeler knock off

 

[Danman]

I’ve read the scope caps should be tightened to 18-20 inch pounds to avoid damage. How does one estimate how snug that should be without an in pound torque device. I use a T handle Allen wrench on most of my scopes. I just wonder if I have inadvertently damaged any scopes, I don’t gorilla gripTIA Stay well all

My thoughts are this....
shooting a pcp or rimfire? Correct torque doesn't matter, recoil isnt gonna be enough to throw off ur scope over time. (Assuming decent quality rings and you know what you are doing with tools)
Centerfire or springer? Torque them for sure. When i started out I spent enough $$ on my 3 scopes, 2 pcps and TX200 so I just torqued everything by hand. All 3 where on the looser side and I shot for 2 years without issue with the pcps. The TX200? Yeah she would slide the scope and/or rings back from time to time and I'd have to fix it. Keeping them evenly tightened is key when installing. I ended up buying the gear wrench torque screwdriver but its probably the most expensive of the bunch. If you own plenty of scopes grabbing one is a good investment!

 

[Playingdead]

Actually I use the wheeler 1 also. I didn't look close enough at what I posted thinking that was what I bought. Mines not even yellow!

Mine is that one. I have the wheeler one and the 'Knock-Off' is better and I think more accurate. Bought the kit on Prime day. Love it!

 

[Playingdead]

My thoughts are this....
shooting a pcp or rimfire? Correct torque doesn't matter, recoil isnt gonna be enough to throw off ur scope over time. (Assuming decent quality rings and you know what you are doing with tools)
Centerfire or springer? Torque them for sure. When i started out I spent enough $$ on my 3 scopes, 2 pcps and TX200 so I just torqued everything by hand. All 3 where on the looser side and I shot for 2 years without issue with the pcps. The TX200? Yeah she would slide the scope and/or rings back from time to time and I'd have to fix it. Keeping them evenly tightened is key when installing. I ended up buying the gear wrench torque screwdriver but its probably the most expensive of the bunch. If you own plenty of scopes grabbing one is a good investment!

I agree that on springers and centerfire you should lap the rings and torque. This is also where better rings start to make a impact on POI. If you are shooting over 500 everything need to correct.

I torque everything, but if you don't have the money just be careful.

 

[jps2486]

My thoughts are this....
shooting a pcp or rimfire? Correct torque doesn't matter.

It sure does matter. I bought a used scope with rings from a guy. He tightened the screw so hard that I couldn't remove them. The allen head slots stripped out. I had to grind the screw heads off with a Dremel to take it apart. Overtorqueing the screw can cause internal damage to the scope too. Guessing really doesn't work. We used to say around the jet engine shop when someone asked what the torque specs were on a certain size bolt-1/4 turn before it breaks.