Scope slipping

[Gobears16]

I’ve got a 300PRC built on a defiance ruckus hunter and AG composite stock. The scope is a ZCO 4-20 in ZCO rings. The scope keeps slipping even after 25inlbs torque. Should I ditch these rings or try something else? I’d like to keep it light as possible with this setup. It obviously a scope that doesn’t hold tight isn’t ideal haha.

 

[nn8734]

What rings are you using? There’s tons of good rings out there (ARC, Badger, NF, etc) that you should be using…

 

[Gobears16]

Yeah I went with the ZCO Brand rings figuring the should work with their scope but now I’m realizing I shoulda went with a company that specializes in rings. I think the light weight of the rifle is making the rings slip under the recoil.

 

[bill_van]

Might try using rosin on the ring surfaces, I might be the last person on earth that does this on every install but they never slip!

 

[hafejd30]

@gebhardt02

 

[Secant]

Yeah I went with the ZCO Brand rings figuring the should work with their scope but now I’m realizing I shoulda went with a company that specializes in rings. I think the light weight of the rifle is making the rings slip under the recoil.

The original ZCO rings were made by APA, and my newest set look awfully like Tier One, but I don’t know for sure.

Just curious, how did you determine the scope is slipping? What torque wrench are you using?

 

[FuhQ]

Yeah I went with the ZCO Brand rings figuring the should work with their scope but now I’m realizing I shoulda went with a company that specializes in rings. I think the light weight of the rifle is making the rings slip under the recoil.

Try the Seekins Precision rings. Never had any issues, and never had any slip with any brand of optic. They're precise (no lapping needed), and built like tanks, too.

 

[Secant]

Try the Seekins Precision rings. Never had any issues, and never had any slip with any brand of optic. They're precise (no lapping needed), and built like tanks, too.

Not an option for ZCO.

 

[Hobo Hilton]

If your rings are "metal to metal" then it does not matter how tight you go with the bolts.
If it were mine... I would take a file and remove some of the metal where the two halves clamp together.
Then I would use an alignment tool to align the scope rings clamps. As you stated the ZCO seems to be proprietary.

Wheeler Scope Ring Alignment Lapping Kit 30mm

This kit improves scope mounting two ways. First, the short bars let you know when the front ring is in perfect alignment with the rear one. Second,...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[hafejd30]

I tagged the ZCO guy above for you. Before doing anything drastic I’d wait for his reply

 

[FuhQ]

Not an option for ZCO.

And why is that?

 

[Secant]

And why is that?

Because ZCO is a 36mm main tube.

 

[FuhQ]

Because ZCO is a 36mm main tube.

Ahhh, they're one of THOSE companies... Gotcha.

 

[Gobears16]

I’m totally not blaming ZCO. This is a 7lb bare 300PRC and 90% of rings would fail holding a heavier scope on a light rifle…. I just want the holy grail haha

 

[Gohring65]

Blue loctite, degrease scope tube and rings. I started doing this with my heavy magnums, now I just do it to all my scopes. Comes off with a little effort and rubbing alcohol.

 

[BuildingConceptsllc]

Just use a little clear lock tight...... it has worked extremely well for another guy....

 

[acudaowner]

it ain't going nowhere no more . lol

 

[BuildingConceptsllc]

View attachment 7889143Blue loctite, degrease scope tube and rings. I started doing this with my heavy magnums, now I just do it to all my scopes. Comes off with a little effort and rubbing alcohol.

In all seriousness, this works pretty well. You have to let it dry of course.

 

[KZP]

Degreasing is important for sure. I've accidently got a drop of oil on a mounted scope that soaked under the rings, scope starting slipping at the next range visit.

 

[gebhardt02]

@Gobears16 Sending you a PM. Haven't heard of this happening before, so I'd like to make sure you are taken care of and don't have any further issues with your current setup.

 

[st1650]

I’d try using ARC rings.

 

[4O6shootist]

I have a 10# all up 338 rum, with arc rings at proper trq, my scope was slipping. I called kahles, and ARC. End results, moved my rings around to where the beginning of the objective bell, was up against the ring body on the front ring. Torqued it, hasnt moved since. However please keep in mind, the inside and outside faces of the arc rings are beveled, most are square. Odd thing, my scope was slipping rearward, most times they go forward under recoil. The big beast brake is pretty ridiculous for recoil reduction.

 

[Charger442]

I’m totally not blaming ZCO. This is a 7lb bare 300PRC and 90% of rings would fail holding a heavier scope on a light rifle…. I just want the holy grail haha

I don't agree with this statement. But I'm not an expert

 

[shoobe01]

Blue loctite, degrease scope tube and rings. I started doing this with my heavy magnums, now I just do it to all my scopes. Comes off with a little effort and rubbing alcohol.

Good overall plan but there's a couple dozen Loctite products. Pretty sure the best is 620, retaining compound. For holding things like bearings in holes about the size of bearings so... same thing.

LOCTITE® 620

When it comes to bonding locating pins in radiator assemblies, sleeves in pump housings and bearings in auto transmissions – especially when you need high temperature resistance up to 232°C (450°F) – LOCTITE® 620 is a good choice. This high strength, anaerobic-curing retaining compound is...

www.henkel-adhesives.com

I have used this (since I have it... there may be another that's better) a couple times on such. Seems to work.

 

[lariat]

Lap the rings, use some minor adhesive. Done.

 

[Gobears16]

Just wanted everyone to know ZCO reached out and helped trouble shoot. I’m not one to bash a company on a public forum, just wanted to hear some solutions. In true first class products they reached out on what I can do to remedy the problem. I’ll report back on their ideas and everyone else’s. This is a hunting rifle and I’m asking a lot with rifle weight v recoil. Hopefully these ZCO rings hold up!

 

[Aftermath]

Next time, just try some threadlocker....

Thread Locker

I used thread locker to secure base and rings on this rifle and am having a hard time removing them. Couldn't find any blue loctite, so used clear. It's made by surefire. Anybody know the best way to remove it? I sold the scope and am supposed to ship it tomorrow.

www.snipershide.com