I have hundreds of rifles and when I take another beater rifle I just rebarrelled to the range, half the time I get lousy groups, it is loose scope bases. I take tools to the range and help other shooters, and half the time they get bad groups, it is loose bases.
Typically two Weaver scope bases and each base has two 6-48 screws. Grade 5 bolts are good for 127 ksi in tension 6-48 screws have a 0.12" root [minor diameter] Area = pi r squared = 3.140(0.120/2)^2 = 0.0112 sq in Tension = area time stress = .0113 sq in 127 kpsi = 1456 pounds tension per screw There are 4 screws = 5745 pounds potential clamping force. The screws are only loaded up typically to 50% of rating = 2873 pounds clamping.
If I look in quickload at the 6.5-06 I just built with a 142 gr Nos Bal tip Long range bullet accelerates from 500 fps to 2000 fps in 0.4 ms. An 8 pound rifle in recoil reaction would then accelerate in proportion from 1.27 fps to 5.07 fps in 0.4ms This is a peak acceleration of 9500 ft/sec sec If a 2 pound scope were attached to a 6 pound barrelled action and stock they would act as an 8 pound single mass. The mass of the 2 pound scope is = [weight]/[gravity] =[2]/[32 f/ss] = 0.0625 slugs Force = mass acceleration = [.0625 slugs ][ 9500 ft/sec sec]= 594 pounds of force pushing back on the scope in recoil
The Mausers I just built is made of steel, as are the modified S54 and S46 bases. Looking up the coefficient of static friction of steel on steel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friction is 0.74 ~ 0.80 for dry and clean steel Averaging the two would be 0.77 The static friction force threshold of slipping = [coefficient of friction clean steel][clamping force] = [.77][2873 pounds= 2212 pounds. Because the static friction 2212 pounds is greater than recoil reaction on the scope mass 594 pounds, the scope should not slip.
But the coefficient of friction for lubricated steel on steel is 0.16 The static friction force threshold of slipping = [coefficient of friction lubricated steel][clamping force] = [.16][2873 pounds= 459 pounds. Because the static friction 459 pounds is less than the recoil reaction on the scope mass 594 pounds, the scope should slip and the screws should start shaking loose.
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