Thread Wear Changing Scopes?

[Clevinger]

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]

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]

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]

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".