Thread lock sealant on Rings and Bases

[Morrey]

All of my shooting life I have religiously used blue Loctite on all of my scope's mounting system. This is all fine and good until you eventually need to move the scope off the gun for some reason or other. Then it is a mess on the screws to clean off.

I am almost sure most have been trained (like me) to use Loctite with every mount. IS THERE ANYONE out there who swims upstream and just mounts without a thread locker? I use my fat wrench without fail to torque screws to the manufacturers specs. Will I make a mistake to skip the thread lock on my next mount?

 

[rcmodel]

I have ever only used blue lock-tight on the base screws in the receiver.
I also put it under the bases to 'bed them' to the receiver if I have no intention of ever taking them off again..

There is no need whatsoever to use it on the ring or clamp screws.

rc

 

[Kingcreek]

Depends. Lightweight .300 magnum or varmint barrel .223?

 

[SwaneeSR]

I am now a believer. This Fall I wasted a lot of effort during site-in on a Remington 742 .30-06 and discovered loose base after 12 rounds.

It now has blue lock-tite on the base screws into the receiver.

 

[kozak6]

I have never used thread locker on my 10/22.

I've serious issues with screws, the scope base, and rings loosening up, walking around, or falling off.

I'm convinced it's a necessity. You don't really need a lot of thread locker. You could probably use much less and still get good results. If you apply directly from the bottle, you are using way too much. And many people claim you don't really need to clean the old Loctite off.

Besides, it's easier to deal with a little bit of Loctite in your own free time than being in the field or on the firing line with missed shots, missing screws, scope eye, and a scope you can't use.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Shouldn't need it on rings. The spring pressure from the top clamp should prevent screw loosening.

 

[cdb1]

I use it on bases but never on rings - at home. I also mount scopes where I work and we are not allowed to use threadlocker. Never have had one come back that I know of.

 

[chicharrones]

I'm with the others. Blue Loctite on bases, but nothing on ring screws due to the clamping action of the rings.

 

[MEHavey]

Purple/ThreadLocker on base screws
"GuiltyPleasure" red nail polish/witness mark on all others.*




* (The rifles might look like the aftermath of a New Orleans
cat fight afterwards, but what the heck.)

 

[Morrey]

Great advice, and I'll limit my use of Loctite to the screws on the bases. Much more simple than I have been making it as Loctite on the ring screws are the ones that bug me the most.

 

[gpjoe]

Never on rings or mounts, just a little blue on rail or base screws when mounting to receiver.