A torque wrench will be used for proper tightness, but is it wise to use Loctite on the screws that hold the scope rings together?

I am far from an expert. I've only mounted a few scopes, but I always use a tiny bit of Loctite.

Low-strength loctite, like the purple.

Yes, I would use a light strength locktite as well. I've had scope screws loosen up over time without it.

It won't hurt anything (if you use the correct product), but it's not necessary if using good quality rings.

In the "No" camp... never have had anything come loose when torqued to spec.

I always put a small dab of blue Loctite on scope screws, but only after I'm satisfied with the eye relief and reticle alignment. Then, I'll remove one screw, add the Loctite, and replace it (firm but not gorilla firm) then move on to the next screw.

quote:

Originally posted by Expert308:
...(firm but not gorilla firm)...

In the case of small screws as used on scope rings, the proper torq (12-14 "#) is almost akin to "gorilla firm".

Using Blue and tightening to "firm" may result in under torq'd rings, and the Locktite isn't going to solve for that (except you'll have loose rings with tight screws).

This message has been edited. Last edited by: JRC,

Yes, blue.

I use a little drop of blue. And proper tightening with a torque wrench.

A drop of blue never hurt anyone. I use a torque wrench and without lock tite I've had things loosen up on me.

It wasn't until I got an inch pound torque wrench that I realized I had overtightened EVERY screw in both rings and mounts my whole life. Using too much force and loctite they never came loose.

Now I use the wrench and loctite.

A small amount of blue loctite and proper torque works well for me.

I use Vibra-Tite VC-3. This is a rubbery thread locker, not the concrete-like Loctite. You can remove and re-seat screws several times with one application of VC-3. This stuff is great.

Para turned me onto VC-3. Its the best solution that I've tried for stuff like this. I used to use green Loctite (and still do on some things) but this is better. Due to the issues I was having on RMR screws I bought a very accurate inch pound torque wrench and its trivial to put too much torque.

quote:

Originally posted by 2Adefender:
I use a little drop of blue. And proper tightening with a torque wrench.

Same here. I've seen rings loosen when they were only torqued.

Vibra-Tite is good stuff. I think a better choice here than the lightweight loctite.

Not sure about normal rings but my Romeo 5 came loose on my 10/22 this morning. I guess it requires Locktite. Probably regular blue.

A few of my buddies even use a very small amount of blue loctite to sort of bed the bases t the receiver to keep water out because they hunt in constantly wet conditions. I’d never heard of that until I picked up a used rifle and saw it.