Hello, mikeh416Rigby,

It has always been my understanding that you tighten the front screw first, then the back screw, then the middle screw.

A lot of torque should be applied to the front. You want the recoil lug well supported.

Moderate torque should be applied to the rear.

The middle screw should be exactly as you said: only enough torque to hold the front of the trigger guard securely. Too much torque will flex the middle of the action, and accuracy will suffer. You can even cause the bolt to bind.

That's my understanding and my practice. I've never had trouble.

Regards,
CptCurl