Changing rifle stock - will zero shift?

[SD198]

I'm about to change the stock on my Howa 1500 .308 (with floating barrel). there is a scope already attached to decent mounts on the action. Whilst I will check the zero after changing the stock, am I right in thinking that presumably if you carefully swap the stock on an action without removing the scope, the zero should not really shift?

 

[Andyquadra]

I'd say it will, but by how much..... who knows

 

[RifleTuner]

I would expect zero to shift some amount. As said above, difficult to say how much. But its very unlikely bedding will be the same. Do you torque the bolts up the same or just go by "feel"?

 

[Czhowa]

I messed around with action screw torque on my cz455 a few years ago after reading an article. It didn't so much change the zero but the group sizes did shift at different torques. Once I'd found the sweet spot I did rezero but it was only a click or two

 

[rem284]

Check it to out to find out

 

[tikkathreebarrels]

Unless you can exactly replicate the action screw torque settings from one stock to the other and that the two stocks have approximately similar densities the answer has to be that the potential is there for zero to shift.
Do you feel like shooting a few rounds with the rifle stockless?

 

[Donkey Basher]

Short answer - 'yes'

Check your zero before taking a shot at anything that can run away wounded.

 

[GGG]

I'm about to change the stock on my Howa 1500 .308 (with floating barrel). there is a scope already attached to decent mounts on the action. Whilst I will check the zero after changing the stock, am I right in thinking that presumably if you carefully swap the stock on an action without removing the scope, the zero should not really shift?

I’m pretty certain it will shift, you can normally produce a shift by changing the torque of the action screws alone, never mind the bedding surface of the action to the stock (not to mention the size of your subsequent groups)
On the positive side, I don’t think it will change by very much, and if you plan to check zero after the changeover then it shouldn’t be too traumatic.

 

[Sako6.5x55]

I’ve got a Sako 85 stainless/synthetic re-barrelled in .284W, I can swap from the factory synthetic to a custom Forte fully adjustable laminated stock, torqued to 6Nm with no zero shift. The big difference is I can carry one stock comfortably in the field and other stock fits like a glove when I’m playing at shooting steel at 1000 yds. Size of the groups will change from how much more stability you’re adding.
Swap the moderator and the zero changes big time.
In response to Donkey Basher - I totally agree! I check my zero on the day or the day before every outing with all my rifles.

 

[SD198]

Thanks all. I don't have a torque wrench unfortunately so will have to go on the feel of things. I will let you know the results.

 

[Andy seatrout]

Yes it will, maybe not by much, but on both rifles I’ve restocked ( .223 into a new synthetic for fox, .22RF from a synthetic into a laminate thumb hole) the zero has shifted - not a lot but enough to make you want to zero the rifle…. I mean why take the chance?

 

[3595wilk]

Yes. I put my m12 back into a synthetic stock after being in a GRS laminate. Had shifted 1.5 MOA at 100 from its previous zero. No lateral change.

 

[browser5031]

Yes, it will ask me how I know

 

[NP435]

It will shift. Seen it and had it happen after reworking the bedding in a couple rifles.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Hmmm.
A well timed question as I have just removed mine for cleaning and reattached it and off to the range today so will see. I don’t recall any need to rezero before however…..

 

[slider]

I have removed my stock to deep clean my rifle on a few occasions and never moved zero. That's replacing with the same stock though

 

[Brave Echo Niner]

Yes, it will change it - by how much is the question.

For a V block aluminium chassis or a pillar bedded fibreglass stock I typically see it 1-2 clicks out (1-2cm @ 100m). This is using a torque wrench to properly bolt everything back consistently.

I always rezero after removing the barrelled action from the stock, which is where it is handy to have a choice of rifles you can use for the next day when you don’t have time to rezero!

Ben

 

[Rural Management Services]

Most likely will but sometimes doesn’t. Needs testing regardless before you point it at anything living.

 

[8x57]

Yes, it will change it - by how much is the question.

For a V block aluminium chassis or a pillar bedded fibreglass stock I typically see it 1-2 clicks out (1-2cm @ 100m). This is using a torque wrench to properly bolt everything back consistently.

I always rezero after removing the barrelled action from the stock, which is where it is handy to have a choice of rifles you can use for the next day when you don’t have time to rezero!

Ben

Yep - always got to have a couple of spares handy.

 

[cjs66]

I've just had my 204 out of its stock to lighten the trigger up. When I checked zero at fifty yards it was 6" high and 2" left to the previous zero. That's using a torque wrench. T3x. So I'd say you'll need to check.

cjs