Something I learned from Jeff Huber at Nightforce - It is pretty difficult to exceed 25 inch pounds with scope mounting screws if you hold the L wrench on the short leg. Once it starts to get a bit uncomfortable applying torque, you are there. Holding by the long side you can easily exceed 25 inch pounds. Is the Picatinnny rail made of steel? If it isn't steel or titanium, replace it with a steel base. An aluminum base is not something you should be using on a 338 Lapua in my opinion. Savage ships 338 Lapuas with Aluminum bases and they have caused all kinds of problems for some folks, including myself. I NEVER use an aluminum base on a heavy recoiling rifle unless I have no choice and then I go with double wide rings like the Burris XTR Signatures.