I think I put mine in a vice so I could tighten it with some pliers. Thread locker or sealant will work just fine, you do not need or want a hard set one. The Vibra-Tite would be good option as it always says soft and allows multiple use without reapplying . Since the outside is never in contact with the powder your free to use most anything. Teflon tape should work just fine.
The only "drop tube" I know is the lower assembly, the actual powder die,Lately the drop tube has been coming loose after a hundred or so powder drops no matter how hand tight I get it. Anyone else having this issue? Might try a bit of pipe thread tape to see if that helps.
Yours probably isn’t bad unless you can tell it has seperated.
The only "drop tube" I know is the lower assembly, the actual powder die,
if we're talking LnL AP.Hornady provides a set of shims to keep the LnL adapter tight. I don't recall having to pay anything for mine when I called.
When I got is straight which "tube" we were talking about, I looked at one of mine that was not mounted and wondered what force would ever cause it to turn and why would it need to be so secure. Two were finger tight, and I have never checked them before. I have a tube of GunTite handy and would probably use that, if this was an issue. .Anything that will increase the turning resistance of the drop tube relative to the powder measure should prevent the tube from unscrewing. The idea is to make it more difficult for the vibration from operation to allow the drop tube to turn.
If you want to use Loctite or a bit of silicone seal, use it sparingly so that it does not get into the powder channel. Then let it dry/cure.
Teflon tape should work as well but make sure to torque the tube down more than hand tight.
I cannot remember my drop tubes ever coming loose and I use the Hornady L-N-L, RCBS Uniflow, and a modified Redding 10-X powder measures with the Hornady case activated system on my progressive presses. I do snug up the drop tube more than hand tight but I am careful not to mar the drop tube.
When I got is straight which "tube" we were talking about, I looked at one of mine that was not mounted and wondered what force would ever cause it to turn and why would it need to be so secure. Two were finger tight, and I have never checked them before. I have a tube of GunTite handy and would probably use that, if this was an issue. .