Essential Gun Stuff:
 

Essential because; Like, can't do without


Most valuable tool to conserve ammunition; A Scope Collimator.

Faster than bore-sighting to get on target.
Test the movements of your scopes for repeatabilty and accuracy of movements.
Test your mount and ring alignment.
Record the location of each rifle's zero with different loads or for different shooters.



Good Cleaning Eqpt
Dewey coated one-piece cleaning rods.
Copper removal chemicals, Sweets 7.62
Plenty of flannel patches
Numerous copper bore brushes, not steel.


Handgun grips/stocks that are comfortable and fit your hand

A good trigger pull

Scope caps

An inch-pound Torque Wrench, (not foot lbs!)
Torquing your stock mounting screws (BSquare allen head kind) to 65 Inch lbs and keeping this value whenever you remove the stock will aid your rifle to keep its same point of impact or zero. Leupold and other torx screw mount systems can benefit as well from uniformity. Torque mounts to 25 or 30 inch pounds, scope ring screws to 18 or 20. Badger and Leupold rings are fastened to the base (on the side) at 65 inch pounds also.


Best aid to accuracy for a long range rifle:

Badger base and rings. These are the best. Properly torqued, they hold, do not shoot loose, and are repeatable. They also cost as much as a good scope. If you want to hit, every time, at long range; buy them.

Re: Essential Gun Stuff:
 

I can only add......................................target practice.

Re: Essential Gun Stuff:
 

is 1- ft pound = to 12 inch pounds?

Re: Essential Gun Stuff:
 

Mitty,

Yes. But most foot lb wrenches don't calibrate below 8 or 10 lbs.

Leupold makes a 65 inch pre-set wrench for about $80, but it is not adjustable, and only tightens.

If your rifle has been pillar bedded, then you would likely also benefit from using a torque wrench to constant value on your adjustments. I bought a Craftsman inch wrench and its range is from about 15 ip to 240 ip; it also is a reversible ratchet. Likely not the best, but usable.