Scope mounting

[Rusty]

Getting ready to mount a scope on a rifle here and Jr. and got in a discussion about thread locker. He said the last time he mounted one with Leupold mounts they said not to use thread locker. Using Leupold mounts again and actually reading the instructions I read them this time and they even said to use a light coat of oil on the screws. Am I missing something here? This never used to be? I'm perplexed... I guess I'll follow the instructions, but when did this change?

We also seem to have a problem getting the screws to run down into the holes with only finger pressure.

I'm wondering if this is some kind of a crush fit threading? I think I heard S&W started doing that years ago when threading their barrels into their frames.


BTW the rifle is a Savage M10

[Mescalero]

What caliber?

[KCSO]

You can get screws a lot tighter with torx screws and too many folks would use thread lock and then couldn't get the screws out again. I have never used loc tight but prefer just a light coat of fingernail polish and have never had a base come loose and have never had a stuck screw.

[Rusty]

It's a .223 w/ a 22" barrel.


I've started using fingernail polish too in years past, but the screws won't go in very far with just finger pressure.

[Mescalero]

Use a good hollow ground srewdriver that fits and tighten them down , you will not need anything on the threads.

[Rusty]

No chance to use a hollow ground driver unless I replace the screws. Leupold supplies torx head screws and a wrench.

The main issue is that the screws aren't going in very far before they snug up. That's with all screws in all holes, swapping the screws doesn't seem to mater either. No base on top just running the screws in and they go snug when they're no where close to being bottomed out. Nothing is cross threaded. It feels like there's paint on the threads?

[Mescalero]

Should have caught that in your first post
Just put it together and shoot it,
bet it will hold, you are not generating a lot of recoil force there.

[J Miller]

No chance to use a hollow ground driver unless I replace the screws. Leupold supplies torx head screws and a wrench.

The main issue is that the screws aren't going in very far before they snug up. That's with all screws in all holes, swapping the screws doesn't seem to mater either. No base on top just running the screws in and they go snug when they're no where close to being bottomed out. Nothing is cross threaded. It feels like there's paint on the threads?

Rusty,
Are you sure the screws are the correct thread pitch for the rifle? I'm just asking because it sounds like what happens when you try to run a slightly different pitch thread into a hole.

Joe

[Washita]

If you have or can borrow a torque driver, use it. Per Wheeler Engineering, torque should be 10-15 in/lb for aluminum rings, 15-20 for steel. I use mid-range values for both, no loctite and have never had a problem with screws working loose (.22 LR and .223).

[harry]

Make sure you don't have the base screws mixed up with the ring screws. I've never had any brand of ring or base screws that would not run in the threaded holes by hand.
Harry

[RustyJr]

When shining a flashlight into the action on the non-blind holes it appears as if at least one of the holes is a little "jagged" at the bottom. Its hard to explain but at the very bottom of on of the holes it looks like there is a small jagged "shelf", like it wasn't cut clean on the bottom of the threading process. I can't see anything else on any other holes but if that is in fact a bad "cut" on that hole I'm wondering if that isn't an indicator that the threads just might be a little rough.


RustyJr

[Rusty]

I guess I'll try calling customer service at both Leupold and Savage tomorrow to see what they might have to say.

[COSteve]

Fingernail polish or blue Loctite both work well and you can remove the screws easily. Avoid red Loctite on anything that you don't want to permanently set.

[Mescalero]

I am not going to go here again.
I am not going to do it.
No!

[Dave]

I would not loc tite them. Lately every time I try to take a scope off someones gun it is on there for keeps with loc tite. Those little screws can't take a lot of umph. Sometimes all the tricks to defeat the loc tite won't work.

Just tighten them down evenly and tight. Then shoot the gun. Check them every once in a while. It is a good idea to check all your screws on a gun/scope at the first of every season.

[Rusty]

It's OK Mescalero, actually the real issue I was having as I found out with a close examination is garbage in the threads. I found one of our shops in town that has taps. I'm going to head over after work tomorrow and clean up the threads.

[Mescalero]

Good move,Rusty.