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Tighten the screws
#8029052
10/29/20 04:30 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,782
603Country
OP
THF Celebrity
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OP
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Posts: 15,782 |
I missed a big hog last evening. Crosshairs were right on him, and he was standing still at 200 yards. And I just flat missed. That actually gave me a minor bout of depression and frustration. Shouldn’t have missed. So, this morning I checked the sights and found the POI to be about 3” low at 100. It’s the new Athlon scope, which has been perfect up till now, and I hadn’t hammered it against anything. Looked it over close and realized that the scope had slid forward in the rings. The screws were not just loose, but were very loose - all 4 of them. They were plenty tight last time I checked. Could cold weather cause an expansion difference between the aluminum Aero Precision mount/rings and the steel screws?
I’ve never been a Lock-tite user. Maybe I need to be.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: Tighten the screws
[Re: 603Country]
#8029066
10/29/20 04:39 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,374
onlysmith&wesson
THF Trophy Hunter
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,374 |
Could be a CTE (coefficient of thermal expansion) mismatch. That would be the property and characteristic to Google for each metal. But, I doubt it. Sounds like more a mismatch in flexural strength of the two materials. I'm not a fan of loc tite here either, but sounds like it may be a necessary evil here, IMO.
An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
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Re: Tighten the screws
[Re: 603Country]
#8029072
10/29/20 04:42 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,228
J.G.
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Good bases, good rings, low strength locktite, and typically tighten 5 in/lbs tighter than recommended.
Loose scope, and loose action screws cause big problems.
They most likely came loose due to repeated recoil, probably not temperature.
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Re: Tighten the screws
[Re: J.G.]
#8029106
10/29/20 05:07 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,374
onlysmith&wesson
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,374 |
Good bases, good rings, low strength locktite, and typically tighten 5 in/lbs tighter than recommended.
Loose scope, and loose action screws cause big problems.
They most likely came loose due to repeated recoil, probably not temperature. That's a pretty hefty increase, 25% on some rings. That would be compounded even greater with loc-tite. If someone tried that with a material mismatch they'd likely strip something. Good equipment, I go with the published spec, that was likely taken from a thread engagement table. But, you did say "typically".
An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
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Re: Tighten the screws
[Re: 603Country]
#8029120
10/29/20 05:18 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,456
Big Fitz
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,456 |
Blue loc-tite on all scope screws and mounts. There is zero reason not to do so.
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Re: Tighten the screws
[Re: 603Country]
#8029253
10/29/20 06:57 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,782
603Country
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OP
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I suppose the ‘screw loosener’ must have been recoil, but it’s a 223, so recoil isn’t much. And the AR really isn’t that light.
Oh, well, everything is back where it should be, and seriously tight. Still no lock-tite. The scope is again dialed in.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: Tighten the screws
[Re: onlysmith&wesson]
#8029344
10/29/20 08:17 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,228
J.G.
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Good bases, good rings, low strength locktite, and typically tighten 5 in/lbs tighter than recommended.
Loose scope, and loose action screws cause big problems.
They most likely came loose due to repeated recoil, probably not temperature. That's a pretty hefty increase, 25% on some rings. That would be compounded even greater with loc-tite. If someone tried that with a material mismatch they'd likely strip something. Good equipment, I go with the published spec, that was likely taken from a thread engagement table. But, you did say "typically". I'm willing to take the risk I'm taking. I've had things come loose before, too. Locktite and 5 in/lbs over is less of a risk than a scope coming loose. I don't do that on other people's rings, just mine. But, what I buy hasn't broken yet.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Tighten the screws
[Re: 603Country]
#8029386
10/29/20 08:42 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,919
maximum
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,919 |
Just me- Anytime I mount a scope, all the screws get loctite, I put a bead of loctite between the receiver and base, and I put a thin coat on the inside of the rings. Mine won't get loose and blow a shot for me. If I thought the scope would never need to be removed, I'd epoxy all of that with JB Weld or something similar. I know several that weld their bases to their receiver. Many other things might happen, but my scope will never come loose at a critical time and cause me to flub a shot or cut a hunt short for me. That's one variable I have control over, and I'll never let it be an issue with my shooting.
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Re: Tighten the screws
[Re: maximum]
#8029471
10/29/20 10:04 PM
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 332
Rounder
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 332 |
Oh hell no. Just loctite the screws. Blue version.
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Re: Tighten the screws
[Re: 603Country]
#8029503
10/29/20 10:32 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,782
603Country
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If they come loose again, I’ll use the blue lock-tite. I’ll be watching em closely.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: Tighten the screws
[Re: Big Fitz]
#8029583
10/29/20 11:21 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,183
Tactical Cowboy
THF Trophy Hunter
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Blue loc-tite on all scope screws and mounts. There is zero reason not to do so. This here.
The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
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Re: Tighten the screws
[Re: 603Country]
#8030460
10/30/20 05:56 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,496
der Teufel
Veteran Tracker
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I'm in agreement with the folks who advocate for blue loctite.
I have two unwritten rules: 1. 2.
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Re: Tighten the screws
[Re: 603Country]
#8033866
11/02/20 03:12 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,431
TLew
Veteran Tracker
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,431 |
Funny because I was just coming in to post on torque numbers for rings. I've had two rifles where the scopes are rotating off axis. I fixed my 6.5 and will fix the .308 later since it's still dead on (just tightened the rings a little). I'm going to 25 in lbs but what is everyone else doing?
I'll add some blue loctite if it happens again. I think the culprit is running around on the SxS over rough terrain
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Re: Tighten the screws
[Re: 603Country]
#8034221
11/02/20 05:57 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,585
redchevy
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Posts: 39,585 |
I use a fatwrench, torque to the ring/base manufacturer spec and put blue locktite on. Never had a problem.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Tighten the screws
[Re: 603Country]
#8034271
11/02/20 06:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,431
TLew
Veteran Tracker
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Posts: 3,431 |
All of the above for me red, but no loctite...sounds like I'm headed that direction
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Re: Tighten the screws
[Re: 603Country]
#8034312
11/02/20 07:00 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,630
Cast
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,630 |
Purple Loctite on scope screws.
Cast I have a short attention spa
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Re: Tighten the screws
[Re: Cast]
#8034629
11/02/20 10:28 PM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,456
Big Fitz
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,456 |
Purple Loctite on scope screws. Purple works but Blue is stronger and still removable without heat. I see no advantage to Purple, am I missing something Cast?
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Re: Tighten the screws
[Re: 603Country]
#8035106
11/03/20 05:09 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,426
jeffbird
Extreme Tracker
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Posts: 4,426 |
Also degrease the male and female threads with acetone, Gun Scrubber, or something equally effective. Blue Loctite and a torque wrench are givens as are rings with either 4 or 6 screws per ring riding atop a pic rail. The bonus of using a pic rail and ring setup is switching scopes is quick and easy.
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Re: Tighten the screws
[Re: 603Country]
#8035259
11/03/20 01:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,006
Stevarino
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
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Posts: 4,006 |
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Re: Tighten the screws
[Re: 603Country]
#8035293
11/03/20 01:46 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,782
603Country
OP
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OP
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Posts: 15,782 |
Fellas, I have the Fat Wrench and a rainbow of loktite. At the moment, everything is set up without the loctite and I’ll leave it that way for now. I keep telling myself that I had cranked those screws down tight last time, but the possibility remains that I didn’t. If even one of those screws shows signs of being looser from now on, the loctite gets used. Blue loctite.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: Tighten the screws
[Re: jeffbird]
#8035300
11/03/20 01:48 PM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,038
pertnear
"Demolition Man"
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"Demolition Man"
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,038 |
Also degrease the male and female threads with acetone, Gun Scrubber, or something equally effective. Blue Loctite and a torque wrench are givens as are rings with either 4 or 6 screws per ring riding atop a pic rail. The bonus of using a pic rail and ring setup is switching scopes is quick and easy. I do this also - clean before installing with blue LT. I use the Wheeler Fat Wrench. Wish Wheeler could figure out an adapter for AR barrel nuts!
The North has double last names. The South has double first names.
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Re: Tighten the screws
[Re: Big Fitz]
#8035449
11/03/20 03:12 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 22,630
Cast
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Posts: 22,630 |
Purple Loctite on scope screws. Purple works but Blue is stronger and still removable without heat. I see no advantage to Purple, am I missing something Cast? Yeah, it’s recommended by the scope guys and it holds until it doesn’t need too. You need red, blue and purple.
Cast I have a short attention spa
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