Rookie move

Recently had the stock off my Ruger American to lighten the trigger. I miss read the instructions when i put it back together and i think i tightened it to 70 foot lbs instead of 70 inch lbs. That works out to 840 inch lbs! :sick:

Barrel is no longer free floating and is grouping terribly. I realize i have put huge stress on the gun, just wanted to know what you guys think i should do?

Have noticed the stock is pretty flimsy so am thinking about getting the stock stabilizer kit from Ballistics studies and possibly bedding the action.

And suggestions would be appreciated.

First remove stock and see if you have done any damage. ie crushing.

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

First remove stock and see if you have done any damage. ie crushing.

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Exactly, then reassemble to correct torque, and see if a $5 note will fit between the barrel, and the forend.

And what about using this stock stabilizer from Ballistics Studies?
Good idea?

Surely you didn't actually get it that tight, would have thought the bolt would have snapped or a thread would have stripped.

Just re do it and see what it shoots like, hopefully nothing is damaged.

Does it have a flexy stock that pisses you off trying to shoot off a bipod? if so then yes it will improve it somewhat, but it wont turn it into a good stock and it will be a bit heaver (this can be a good thing contrary to popular belief )
Stabilising the front end "may" improve your ability to shoot it accurately but wont improve the rifles ability to shoot accurately.
Bedding is more likely to improve the rifles accuracy but if its good already possibly no improvement.
Stiffen and bed and possibly still not be happy or buy a good stock and bed ? is it a keeper and worth the time and money and how accurate do you need it really honestly?

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Does it have a flexy stock that pisses you off trying to shoot off a bipod? if so then yes it will improve it somewhat, but it wont turn it into a good stock and it will be a bit heaver (this can be a good thing contrary to popular belief )
Stabilising the front end "may" improve your ability to shoot it accurately but wont improve the rifles ability to shoot accurately.
Bedding is more likely to improve the rifles accuracy but if its good already possibly no improvement.
Stiffen and bed and possibly still not be happy or buy a good stock and bed ? is it a keeper and worth the time and money and how accurate do you need it really honestly?

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Its got to be able to shoot a 1 lawn mower at a hundy mate:P,yep those mericans have the flimsy stock and I wouldn't think it would help to bed that stock.I had that with my Mod 70 stock I solved the problem by not using a bipod.

Seems there is no aftermarket stock option for the American due to the V bedding blocks. $70 bedding kit is cheaper than a new rifle so yeah i think its the option i want to take.
I'm just worried that its going to be worse once i release all that pressure.

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Originally Posted by Heisenburg

Seems there is no aftermarket stock option for the American due to the V bedding blocks. $70 bedding kit is cheaper than a new rifle so yeah i think its the option i want to take.
I'm just worried that its going to be worse once i release all that pressure.

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Only one way to find out.I know I feel amazing once ive relieved my pressure

I'd say it could only improve you may well find it goes back to how it shot prior to stripping it
Let us know how you get on.

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Originally Posted by Neckshot

Only one way to find out.I know I feel amazing once ive relieved my pressure

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And that last little gem is a little more information than we really needed to know :)

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Originally Posted by mikee

And that last little gem is a little more information than we really needed to know :)

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sometimes I Share:thumbsup:

could it be your shooting that's causing the terrible groups? no criticism ive seen this other guy a mate of a mate who cocked around with his stocks on his model 70 which helped substantially but the real advancement in tight groups came about after alot of time on the trigger..... i dont know this guy of course just a mate of a mate............ of a mate............. of a mate, the rifle is unlikely to bust before the stock or the screw so id say loosen if off and re fit. compound does work well to stiffen forend however balance can be compromised if the but is hollow

Right so had the gun apart today, no visable damage to the bedding blocks or hex screws, PHEW! Have applied some loc-tight and lightly done it up. Barrel is free floating now but seems if i put the weight on the bi-pod it would come in contact with the stock again. Very flimsy. Off to the range after work tomorrow to shot some groups at 100yards and see the result.

See how it shoots, if you're committed to using a bipod then bedding compound should help to 'stiffen' everything up.

Attachment 29432

Group today at 200yards with Hornady Whitetails 150gr

presuming they are 1 inch spacing's on those rings, you have a sub 2 moa 3 shot group at 200 yards, nothing to sneeze at there, it would most certainly be a dead deer.
you have a sub $1k firearm that shoots 2moa, that would be exactly what I would expect a cheap reliable gun like a ruger would do, especially as you are shooting off a bipod.
just be aware that many internet keyboard warriors, that say they shoot sub 1/2inch groups at 200 yards with their (insert name of no frills brand firearm) are just full of shit.
greg

Fair call mate. Was off bags today. On a positive note after resetting the torque on the bedding blocks, the barrel is free floated when resting on the bags. BUT the fore end is very flimsy and knocks against the barrel with the slightest touch.

But yes it is a budget hunting rifle after all.

Open up barrel channel with some coarse sand paper around a bit of wood or whatever about barrel diameter so it wont touch under moderate pressure.

that's a mint group at 200 for a hunter

Heisenberg, where in the country are you ?

Nathan's stock stabiliser may or may not work for your problem. It is very good for sorting out lateral flex, but on most of the plastic fantastic stocks, you have a lengthways flex point just in front of the recoil lug. The epoxy is not likely to sort that out unless you do some major surgery and put rods or a block under that point.

I had a similar problem on a Savage stock (non acustock). The way I solved it was to use stock stabiliser (follow the instructions and key/make holes in the latticework). Then install a second sling stud closer to the recoil lug for your bipod. I also chopped off about 10cm off the front end of the stock (after filling the channel with epoxy).

For a cheaper end rifle with factory ammo i would be happy. Boyds have just released Ruger American Stocks so there are after market ones available.


Boyds:

nothing wrong with that group out of a hunting rifle did it shoot that well before

So i decided to upgrade, 7mm-08 Sako A7 with my VX-2.

Attachment 30960

HA! Yes bloody good call that, but I've only had my FAL since February so plenty of time to add. Just future proofed when i built the cabinet is all.

And if you have crushed the stock, pillar bedding rather than full bedding may be worth looking into...

All the best.