Rifle Scopes Please help - SWFA 3-9x42 shooting loose in mount

[SandLine]

I bought a SWFA Super Sniper 3-9x42 scope and mounted it on my .223 rifle this weekend. Apparently I mounted it incorrectly, because after firing only 60 rounds, the scope has moved forward about .75 inches within my Larue LT-104 mount.

I’m sure this is a matter of not tightening the screws in the rings enough (and I used blue loctite on the screw heads), but how tight should they be? If the scope had come with a manual, I would get the torque specs and buy a torque wrench to be sure it’s tight enough without damaging the scope.

Does anyone know the torque specs, or can at least offer advice? I have a shoot this weekend and need to get it right…

Thanks.

 

[deadly0311]

Re: Please help - SWFA 3-9x42 shooting loose in mount

15 inch lbs on the ring tops

 

[Graham]

Re: Please help - SWFA 3-9x42 shooting loose in mount

A .223 shouldn't recoil enough for it to move. Lightly hand-tight should do it, if you don't have a torque wrench.

 

[SandLine]

Re: Please help - SWFA 3-9x42 shooting loose in mount

So 15 inch lbs for the ring tops, but what about the bottom ones? The same?

Any recommendations on an accurate torque wrench that isn't exorbitantly priced? (I can't imagine using it for anything other than this).

And yes, I too thought lightly hand tightened should have been enough, especially given that it's only a .223... apparently I was wrong...

 

[deadly0311]

Re: Please help - SWFA 3-9x42 shooting loose in mount

15 inch lbs for the ring tops
65 inch lbs for the rings to the base
15 inch lbs for the base to action

Wheeler FAT wrench or a Seekonk. Seekonks are spendy but well worth the money

 

[steve123]

Re: Please help - SWFA 3-9x42 shooting loose in mount

SandLine,

Since you have a shoot this weekend...I tighten the screws on the rings till the allen/torx wrench starts to slightly bend.I keep going back and forth to all the screws 2-3 times to make sure they are all as close to the same torque as I can feel by hand.

I've used my friends inch/lb wrench a few times and the pressure on the wrench feels about the same as I described above.

Steve

 

[SandLine]

Re: Please help - SWFA 3-9x42 shooting loose in mo

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: steve123</div><div class="ubbcode-body">SandLine,

Since you have a shoot this weekend...I tighten the screws on the rings till the allen/torx wrench starts to slightly bend.I keep going back and forth to all the screws 2-3 times to make sure they are all as close to the same torque as I can feel by hand.

I've used my friends inch/lb wrench a few times and the pressure on the wrench feels about the same as I described above.

Steve </div></div>

When you torque it down until the allen wrench slightly starts to bend, which part of the wrench are you using? I assume you're using your hand on the longer part of the wrench so you get more leverage on the screw?

Also, is there much risk in torquing the screws down too much by hand, or are the scope bodies pretty forgiving in terms of not damaging the scope? I read one place that scope bodies have internal springs to equalize the ring pressure on all areas of the scope. Is that true of my scope?

 

[deadly0311]

Re: Please help - SWFA 3-9x42 shooting loose in mo

no the scope bodies will compress if tightened down to much. If you are going to go the route of hand tightening it with a allen key, grip the short side or little part of the L then tighten it down snug then give it about 1/4 of a turn more if you can

 

[Jerry R]

Re: Please help - SWFA 3-9x42 shooting loose in mount

The LaRue LT-104 mount will need the bottom screws tightened and torqued to 15 lb/in <span style="font-weight: bold">first</span> considering the vertically split rings. That will allow you to level and adjust the optic for proper eye relief. After that is achieved you can then torque the top screws. You stated in your original post you used the locktite on the screw heads. Be sure to use it on the threaded portion of the screw and you should be alright.

If all is done accordingly this should resolve any issues you may be having with your mount/scope.

 

[fdkay]

Re: Please help - SWFA 3-9x42 shooting loose in mount

Make sure you degrease the scope body and the inner surface of the rings (isopropyl alcohol will work fine)