Scope base screws came loose

[Cserv]

Was shooting my mkIIFV this weekend and while making paralax adjustments noticed some wobble. At first I thought it was my stock flexing, then looked closer. My bases were loose. Removed my scope and tightened, and proceeded to shoot the best groups I've shot. 5 rounds at 50 all the same ragged hole, then out to 100 with 5round group right around an inch. Then out to 150, and owned clays and a pop can on demand.
What I was wondering was if anyone else has had this problem with their bases shooting loose?
Thanks for any info, or advise.
Eric

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

Re: Scope base screws came loose

not really, a dab of clear nail polish holds them there.

 

[CharlieTN]

Re: Scope base screws came loose

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TOP PREDATOR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">not really, a dab of clear nail polish holds them there. </div></div>

+1 on the clear nail polish. Of course the wife still thinks it's a bit odd.

Charlie

 

[Cserv]

Re: Scope base screws came loose

Thanks for the tip gents. So no need for locktite.

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

Re: Scope base screws came loose

well if you have loctite handy, it's the proper stuff. but i've never had a problem with the nailpolish. just don't dab too much into it where it starts dripping in the receiver, or run your bolt through the receiver until it's dried.

you don't want to know what i use mascara on

 

[former naval person]

Re: Scope base screws came loose

Loctite is better. For rimfires, probably not necessary. BUT, as JD Jones told me once..."Life is too short to put loctite on the threads". What I do if I want to hold it but not seal it together forever is...Clean the screws and the threads in the receiver with a good solvent. Mount the bases and torque the screws down. Put a SMALL drop of green wicking loctite on the screw heads and wipe the slots/allen slots/torx slots out immediately. The small amount there will keep vibration from loosening the screws, but regular instrumentation will remove them without fire and sword. JMHO

 

[UNCIVILIZED]

Re: Scope base screws came loose

Blue Loctite's GTG in this application. Though cleaning both the screws & their respective, intended holes first would be wise. And if you like, once they're installed, use a bit of colored fingernail polish or WhiteOut to paint witness lines onto them & that which they're holding in place. So that in the future it'll be dirt simple to tell if things have moved at all.

I used WhiteOut for the witness mark on the mounting screw of the front sight of a set of Trijicons. And 15 years later, with rounds through said sidearm numbering in the mid 5-digit range, the mark's still there. Ditto on the loctite's efficacy in holding'em solidly in place.

PS: Stay FAR, FAR away from Red loctite on such things.

 

[Cserv]

Re: Scope base screws came loose

Thanks again for all this great info. Need to braek it all back down and resecure, as all I did was a field expiedient repair that got me through my range session.
Eric

 

[Situation Normal]

Re: Scope base screws came loose

I had the screws on the base of my Buckmark come loose twice while shooting Bullseye pistol leagues. I should have learned after the first time, but I'm hard-headed I guess. I now use blue locktite for all my rimfire needs.

 

[CharlieTN]

Re: Scope base screws came loose

Uncle Mike's also sells "Guntite" which is green. It works the same as the blue loctite.