Thread Wear Changing Scopes?

Clevinger · June 19, 2013, 07:03 AM

I want to change the bases on my Winchester Model 70 to a Dual Dovetail set-up. I currently have the windage screws on the back base.

Will you wear the threads out on the rifle changing bases, or is it okay as long as you use the appropriate torque? I have one of those Wheeler screwdrivers that tell me the torque.

PawPaw · June 19, 2013, 07:22 AM

Assuming that you know what you're doing, (not cross-threading, nor over-torqing) the threads in the screw holes should be good for a lifetime. If something horrible happens, like cross-threading or stripping a screw hole, it's an easy task for a gunsmith to re-drill and tap to a larger screw size.

Mobuck · June 19, 2013, 07:44 AM

Only if you change the scope daily. I'm not a "scope swapper". I usually mount the scope I choose and leave it for the life of the rifle(or scope) but sometimes I do switch around looking for the ideal combination. There have only been a couple of times I've found a problem and both involved the low end rings not the tapped holes in the rifle.

Art Eatman · June 19, 2013, 12:34 PM

If the screws were not over-stressed in the initial installation, they will continue to be usable.

What you DON'T do is "tighten up 'til you feel it give, and then back off a quarter-turn".

June 19, 2013, 07:03 AM	#1
Clevinger Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2009 Posts: 407	Thread Wear Changing Scopes? I want to change the bases on my Winchester Model 70 to a Dual Dovetail set-up. I currently have the windage screws on the back base. Will you wear the threads out on the rifle changing bases, or is it okay as long as you use the appropriate torque? I have one of those Wheeler screwdrivers that tell me the torque.

June 19, 2013, 07:22 AM	#2
PawPaw Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Location: Central Louisiana Posts: 3,137	Assuming that you know what you're doing, (not cross-threading, nor over-torqing) the threads in the screw holes should be good for a lifetime. If something horrible happens, like cross-threading or stripping a screw hole, it's an easy task for a gunsmith to re-drill and tap to a larger screw size.

June 19, 2013, 07:44 AM	#3
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	Only if you change the scope daily. I'm not a "scope swapper". I usually mount the scope I choose and leave it for the life of the rifle(or scope) but sometimes I do switch around looking for the ideal combination. There have only been a couple of times I've found a problem and both involved the low end rings not the tapped holes in the rifle.

June 19, 2013, 12:34 PM	#4
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	If the screws were not over-stressed in the initial installation, they will continue to be usable. What you DON'T do is "tighten up 'til you feel it give, and then back off a quarter-turn".