Marlin Model 60 Scope Problem

[Just One Shot]

I have a problem with scope walk on my .22 Marlin model 60. I have tightened it as tight as it will go but after firing a number of rounds I have to loosen my scope (Bushnell) and move it forward back into position.

I tried some black silicone in the groove but it was a temporary fix. After a short time the scope would push it out of the narrow channel and start walking again. Should I use an epoxy?

I'm considering using a punch and pinging the back of the scope mount on the rifle but I don't want to marr the gun. Do you have any suggestions on how to prevent this?

 

[Mal H]

To clarify - the scope is creeping backward in the rings, the rings themselves stay solid, right?

I don't think a glue of any type should ever be necessary to keep a scope tight no matter what the caliber of the rifle, with the possible exception of Loctite on the screws if they tend to work loose. If the scope is walking from the recoil of a .22 then it must really be loose, relatively speaking.

Could the rings be slightly oversized for the diameter of the scope tube? You might try adding some shims (brass sheeting or even aluminum foil should work) to the top half of the rings and tighten them down. Don't shim the bottom or it will change the zero if that has already been established.

 

[Sav .250]

Saw this type of problem on another forum. In fact it`s creepy close.
One poster said in effect, that when the gun was fired the recoil from the bolt was causing the scope to shift. Cause and effect. That`s what he thought.
For my take, I`d just get a new mounting set-up and start over.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

To clarify - the scope is creeping backward in the rings, the rings themselves stay solid, right?

No, I think he's saying the opposite - that the scope is fine in the rings, but that the rings' claws move along the dovetail rail as time goes by.

I like your pinging idea - why worry about a $125 gun? Either that or buy an airgun scope stop to put in front of the front ring. It's walking out forward right? You need to ping the front of the scope mount, not the back. There's no way it should be moving out to the rear, since the inertia under recoil pushes it forward, relative to the position of the receiver. If it really is pushing to the rear, then I'd say yep, maybe it's mounted so low that the bolt handle is touching one of the rings on the way back each time, in which case, you could still do the pinging idea, but you might tear up that ring over time, as the bolt brushes past it - may want to get a higher ring set in that case.

 

[mainmech48]

If, as I read it, the whole set-up is moving the first thing I'd try is another brand of "tip-off" rings. Marlin M60's sometimes need to have a set that matches the dimensions and contours of the mounting dovetail very closely in order to retain enough 'grip' to keep from 'walking'. Trying to torque a set that doesn't match-up properly down tightly enough to stop that can damage the mount in the process, as the aluminum of the receiver is softer than the steel of the rings.

FWIW, a set in which the 'clamping' force is directed as closely perpendicular to the grooves as possible and shows the closest fit with the bottom of the grooves is likely to be your best bet. It'll also help if you make sure to degrease the mating surfaces well before you put it on and avoid using any preservative product (like WD-40) which boasts of its 'penetrating' qualities around them.

Hope this is of some help.

 

[Maverick223]

Sounds like it is time for new rings, they can be had for as little as $20, and I think would be your best option. This should remedy the problem.

 

[Just One Shot]

The rings are walking backwards on the rifle mount.

The scope is new as are the rings (came as a set) and the bolt doesn't even come close to the rings.

The contour of the claws on the ring mounts look the same as the groove on the rifle and they seat fine.

It holds fast for the most part but after repeated firing it will move rearward.

If you grab the scope and try to gently push it by hand it will not move. You must loosen the screws to push it forward to get it back in position.

 

[Maverick223]

It is odd that it moves to the rear...I revise my previous statement and think that you may want to try the rings backwards (as it may be the rings are milled at an angle) and if it doesn't move or moves to the front it is a ring problem. But if that fails then I agree that you should use a small punch to peen the receiver to keep it in place. Just be careful and take your time.

 

[Runningman]

Sounds like poor quality rings to me. Buy a set of high quality STEEL ring mounts your and problem will go away.

 

[PT1911]

the problem is the mount on the model 60's. the "coating" on the 60's gives way in the grooves and allows the mounts to move backward with continued shots.. then the metal itself gives way and the mounts actually just scratch in deeper and deeper... that is why I gave up on scoping my 60 (when I had it) and ended up giving up on the gun altogether... that and it was eating itself from the inside out...

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Use gunsmith loctite on those doves and they will stay put.

 

[PT1911]

Use gunsmith loctite on those doves and they will stay put.

and it will look fabulous as well... guess you could just paint over the red or blue goo you slather on the gun...

 

[chiggerbyt]

Clean the grooves and ring clamps well with alcohol to remove any oil. Then put some toothpaste in the groove where you want to clamp to. This will help to get a better "grip" on the receiver grooves. chig

 

[WNTFW]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=442192

I might be the guy creeping out Sav .250. My Millet Angle-Locs slipped. I switched to the Redfield rings & had the same problem. Rings walk on dovetail but stay tight on scope tube. I haven't figured out what is happening yet but may devote some time to the problem soon. It does work for the 1st 250 - 400 rounds. I now know that when out of the blue I have to start chasing the windage & elevation the scope has gone off.

I'm thinking a base like this may be fix.
http://www.gamousa.com/product.aspx?productID=200

 

[Maverick223]

I'm thinking a base like this may be fix.

Despite it being a airgun base I think it might work well, if you can find one made for rifles I think I would choose that though.

 

[Mal H]

I think you'll find that most 60 owners don't have any problems getting a scope to stay put.

I haven't. I put a scope on it the day I got my 60 (roughly 6 years ago) and it has stayed rock solid from day one. This ring movement thing is completely foreign to me.

 

[rangerruck]

rail walking is common on all the semi autos marlin makes. to cure this, either use massive scope mounts, that have 2 through screws, that go through the bottom base, and 4 screws through the top covers; these are so much more wide and massive, they will hold the rail. otherwise, get you some BKL scope mounts, which are very good, or some KWIK SITE, weaver style tip off blocks,
and mount those first, they are rock solid, then use any type scope mounts on top of those. they look like this;

see the little blocks under the scope mounts?

 

[7mmsavage]

What rings are you using? I had the same problem on a marlin 22 mag, bolt gun. My scope moved forward though. I was using cheap, 2 piece, see through mounts from wal-mart. I switched to Millet rings that use screws at the bottom of the ring to clamp them in place, instead of the cheapo type that just have screws in the center holding two halves together. Fixed the problem for me, good luck.

 

[LemmyCaution]

My Glenfield 75 had the same problem as the OP, until I got rid of the crappy rings I was using and put something better on. No problems since then. My guess is that the rings that came with your scope were free for a reason.

 

[Maverick223]

it has stayed rock solid from day one

Same for the dovetail on my .22lr, but it is a different gun altogether and has a steel receiver.

My guess is that the rings that came with your scope were free for a reason.

Not to say that is always the case, but it has been true for all the scopes that I have gotten them with.

 

[cal74]

I've never touched my Model 60 or it's scope bases in the 18 years I've had it. Mounted the same set-up for my dad in that time period and he's never had a problem.


Few months ago I grabbed my step-dads 60 to go shoot at something and it was off. Looked closer and the mounts has slipped back about an inch. His was set-up about 5-6 years ago.

Just something to keep an eye out for

 

[Uncle Mike]

Sounds like crappy tip-off ring mounts. :banghead:
Get yourself some quality ringmounts, say... Burris, Leupold, BKL, Millett Angle-Loc's and get STEEL ring mounts unless your going to get the BKL ringmounts, BKL's are manufactured from aluminum only but have an excellent reputation for quality.
I have a set of BKL's on a CZ 452 and have enjoyed no problems from them.

Good Luck-

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I would also second using a quality steel ring like Burris signature rimfire. I would also recommend Lynx, except I think they quit making them. That's what I use on my 60.

Using loctite could also help, but it's not my first or main choice to remedy this problem.

One other good remedy you might try, though it makes the gun heavier, is to simply use 4 rings of the same kind instead of 2. It won't move then. Or you can use 3 of the 4 rings, but then you're wasting a ring.

See, one possible cause of your problem could be this: Rimfire dovetail mounts are 3/8ths", or about 8.5 mm, whereas airgun dovetail mounts are traditionally 11 mm, so if your rings are MADE for airgun, then they might just BARELY be clamping on the mount at the maximum far end of their adjustment range.

One more expensive but surefire route to take is, buy some rimfire dovetail==> weaver/P-rail conversion/riser mounts, then use standard weaver/P-rail rings. The adapter mounts have a lot of purchase area, and they won't move. You can find them at the usual suspects like Brownells & Midway.

 

[Maverick223]

Rimfire dovetail mounts are 3/8ths", or about 9mm, whereas airgun dovetail mounts are traditionally 11 mm, so if your rings are MADE for airgun, then they might just BARELY be clamping on the mount at the maximum far end of their adjustment range.

Didn't realize that...puts a nail in the coffin on the base/rings WNTFW suggested.