Blaster At Your Side

parts check

assumptions:
- barrel is "drop-in" i.e. not requiring fitting with adding or subtracting material from barrel or receiver
parts/tools involved:
- barrel
- v-block aka clamp
- v-block screws aka clamp screws
- receiver
- tool to tightening v-block screws into receiver
pre-warning / caution:
- do not overtighten v-block screws
  - typically screws are steel & receiver softer alumninum, thus overtightening could strip/damage receiver

steps:
- carefully/slowly insert barrel into receiver w gentle twisting if resistance
- rest v-block against barrel/receiver
- insert 2 v-block screws partly into v-block and partially turn the screws but not to resistance yet with alternating sides
- stop here, proceed to bolt assembly/spring/handle insertion and come back here to fully align/tighten vblock/barrel once bolt inserted

see Stocky's image
ensure barrel is fully seated
v-block should be flush: check alignment bottom surface and both sides
if sights attached to barrel ensure these appear aligned as if you were sighting in
extractor on bolt assembly - if using this assembly order come back to this step after bolt inserted (i.e. leave v-block screws not fully tightened)
- should not contact extractor recess (groove) in barrel (see huntdaily image)
- slowly release bolt forward checking alignment (i.e. don't slam misaligned extractor onto barrel)
- indexing method (via rimfirecentral):
  - start with bolt into estimated center of groove
  - very gently rotate barrel until resistance (extractor contacting wall of groove)
  - make index mark with pencil on barrel
  - rotate the other way
  - make another barrel index mark
  - now rotate the barrel to approximate center in between marks to better estimate center of extractor groove
- Brownells re extractor
adjust with gentle twisting motion
if tight fit heating barrel may help with initial insertion
after alignment checked further tighten v-block screws with alternating sides

I cannot find explicit authoritative information on torque or best tools to use to measure it, partly I think because may be dependent on specific parts used and involved dimensions/tolerances
I hand tightened approximately a quarter turn once more significant resistance encountered (note subject terminology due to lack of measuring device), not as much torque as seemingly applied in Brownells video
if you have authoritative references on this topic these would be much appreciated
via rimfirecentral forums reportedly from ruger: 10-20 in lbs
Brownells:
- "we find 45 in lbs is adequate"
- "some manufacturers recommend 65 in lbs"
- in their video they do not measure
iraqveteran8888:
- hand tight + quarter turn, up to ~20 in lbs
Stocky's:
- "28 in lbs is factory spec" (subjectively "snug")
forums: all over the map - e.g.:
- https://rugerforum.net/ruger-10-22-rimfire/124667-torquing-10-22-screws.html
- https://nygunforum.com/threads/10-22-torque-amounts.12141/
note that some torque measuring tools that are used for takedown screw torque settings cannot reach the v-block screw heads (another tool is necessary)
see:
- Brownells:

start with barreled receiver (w loose vblock screws) upside-down
insert charging handle with spring
hardest part:
- hold spring/handle back
- drop bolt down so spring catches it - press lightly down and forward (sounds easy, was definitively not the first time I did this)
see Brownells

obviously make any planned modifications to trigger group now before insertion (e.g. auto bolt release)
drop trigger assembly into receiver
insert cross receiver pins
see Brownells

check fit with dummy ammo
- "go-gauge": ~normal-size dummy ammo. ensure bolt closes fully on breach face
- "no-go gauge": too-large dummy ammo. ensure bolt does not fully close
I did not do this
see Brownells

barreled action = barrel + receiver + bolt assembly + trigger assembly
note:
- if you have add-on options for stock, sometimes these need adding before insertion of barreled action (e.g. magpul x-22 side-rail mounts)
ensure safety is in mid position, halfway between safe & fire
- needed in order to clear rim of most stocks
lower the barreled action into the stock
ensure any resistance is not the safety
sometimes some gentle wiggling is necessary
see Brownells

takedown screw holds stock against barreled action
most are hex-head now
torque wrench is of utility here
some shooters report significant group differences with torque honing, others just hand-fit to snug
how tight should takedown screw be?
- this may vary depending on exact parts/dimensions used
- via rimfirecentral forums reportedly from ruger: 15-20 in lbs ()
- Stocky's: "proper torque value is about 18-25 in lbs" - recommend accuracy testing at 1-2 in lb intervals. never go above 30 in lbs
- Kidd: recommend 10 in lbs
- I started with 15 in lbs
- too tight and might damage receiver
- recommend starting on low end and shooting groups with torque-wrench adjustments at range
also see:
- Brownells
- youtube Dirt Road