Originally Posted by
Flyblown
Regarding the action screw torque - this is what buggers the timber and laminate stocks - over-tightening.
You’ll begin to see compression of the wood under the plastic bottom “metal” if you are over-doing it, plus indentation under the action contact points too. You’ll see accuracy / precision problems as a consequence. The polymer bottom “metal” is also very easy to damage by over-tightening.
To that end it is a very good idea to use an inch-pound torque wrench. 30-40 in-lbs for unbedded floating lug Tikkas in wood stocks.
Personally I like to add pillars to timber / laminate stocks as this secures the stock’s condition for the life of the rifle, because when I am hunting in wet conditions I always disassemble the rifle in the evening to dry it properly. With an accurate torque wrench locked to the same torque value, repeatable POI is no problem. But that’s just a personal preference.