AusVarmint

I went to the range today (don't tell the office) and had a heck of time sighting in. Eventually I discovered the factory fitted scope rail was coming loose. Now I need to fix it, preferably forever!

Doing a quick google I discovered many opinions on using thread locking compound on the rail to receiver screws. Blue Loctite (or equivalent) seems to be the preferred approach, but I thought it worth asking the collective wisdom of AusVarmint (is there such a thing ) on how to secure rails, blocks, rings etc.

So come on guys, tell me how to do it properly so I don't end up wasting more ammo with a wobbly scope!

Locktite 262. I've never used the Blue shit and dont intend to. Pending on what caliber that your using you could just as effectively use nail polish although if your using something with a bit of recoil than I would suggest Loctite 262 and only using a sceric.

Regards

Sean

Sean Ambrose wrote:Locktite 262. I've never used the Blue shit and dont intend to. Pending on what caliber that your using you could just as effectively use nail polish although if your using something with a bit of recoil than I would suggest Loctite 262 and only using a sceric.

Regards

Sean

Hehehe, I didn't wait for any replies this afternoon and used the Loctite I had which just happened to be 262.

Calibre is 308win and I only used small dabs of Loctite (as opposed to drowning it, like some people).

Next trip I'll start sighting in...again!

Oh, the rail used four screws and all of them were loose. I wondered if the 180gn Norma sped up the process...

Now that we are coming into the cooler months a change in temperature and without doubt those 180's would have assisted in the loosening process...

I use loctite 222. Ive never had one come loose shooting up to 308W in cals.

Apparently, this rifle has had a few reports of loosening rails. It's not a big issue, but suggests you should check out the screws when you buy the rifle....and not leave it to the LGS (who can also miss these things).

It's twice that I've had to revisit screws that should have been checked either at the factory or the LGS. Then again, it's also my mistake for not double checking everything on delivery. Lesson learnt.

Probably didn't need loctite, just needed to tighten the screws.
I've put thousands of rounds through my hunting and competition 308's and never had a base come loose, and no adhesive or sealant anywhere near them.

I thought I'd recheck the rifle while I had the safe open to tinker on another rifle. Glad I did! I found the trigger mounting screws were also coming loose. Not bad loose but definitely not good.

This just goes to show you that you need to strip and check everything in a new rifle. Hard to believe all these screws came loose after less than 200 rounds through the rifle...

Maybe look at Arildyte - that used to be the go in years gone by. I've got a few 1pce mounts that have been done this way and have never ever had any issues with them at all.

Mind you if your into changing things around often it may not be the best option, but if you're like me and never change mounts around then its a great option, mine have been on for around 30yrs now.

I agree, the rail is unlikely to ever be removed so I used loctite. The scope *may* change somewhere down the track so I left the rings as is.

Now the trigger group wasn't about to fall off but I was surprised it was working loose. I'll probably never change the trigger group, particularly as no-one appears to make aftermarket versions, so I may revisit it with loctite.

You wouldn't believe how many new rifles we would get out at Silverdale (straight from Horsley Park) that required everything to be tightened up.



I love the smell of gunpowder and hoppe's no. 9

It's definitely a learning experience. I'll now double check every firearm I purchase with a full strip, clean, inspect...

For any screw into metal to work well a dab of any oil actually will help it hold. This is what I have been told by a few with exp and I just drop of oil on the screws when doing them up. So far so good. Something to do with hydraulic lock or something.

Ryan

Hmmm dunno about that Ryan,to get the correct torque values on bolts a little lube on the threads and more importantly under the head of the bolt and or washer is the go,hydraulic lock is not good,seen a few threads busted,pieces blown out of housings etc due to not cleaning all liquid out of stud holes.