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Keeping turret screws from coming loose

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milanuk View Drop Down
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    Posted: July/18/2005 at 21:28

Hello,

 

I've got a couple of SS fixed power scopes, generally pretty happy with them.  The newer one, a SS16X42 has worked well all the way from 100yds for tactical matches to 1000yds for F-class.  The only problem is that the set screws for setting the zero tend to back out and come loose... kind of a sickening feeling when you go to change elevation zero for a yardage change and feel that 'slip, click, click, slip' instead of 'click, click, click, click' and now have to wonder exactly how much *did* it move.  First time or two caught me w/ my shorts down; luckily other shooters on the line had allen wrenches w/ them that fit and the target was big enough that a few clicks off didn't hurt too much.  Now I carry a spare allen wrench set in my soft case for the rifle just as a precaution, and check the screws while getting ready.

 

Anybody had a similar problem?  Is blue loctite too strong for these little screws, considering the zero may need changed periodically (the scope isn't necessarily wedded to one gun)?  Is something like clear fingernail polish strong enough?

 

Thanks,

 

Monte

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Brady View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Brady Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/19/2005 at 08:49
Loctite would be way too strong if you ever plan on taking the screws out later on down the line. Fingernail polish doesn't sound all that bad. Wouldn't seem like you would need much to stop them from backing out. If that doesn't work maybe try a very light drop of super glue. Is the 16X the only one you are having problems with?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sscoyote Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/19/2005 at 18:10
Had a similar problem at Dave Lauck's ITRC last yr. when a buddy had a Burris 3-12X LER on his long-range handgun's turret slip. He lost his zeros completely, but somehow "nulled" it out, and we still did OK in the match with our handguns. BUT had we not had that happen we would've done better. My solution was to pull all my Burris turrets off their spindles and drill one additional set screw hole (Burris only puts 2 in theirs), and i haven't seen any problems with them since (I actually lost a turret once while hunting with the Burris-equipped handgun).
Steve
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milanuk View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote milanuk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/19/2005 at 23:56

Brady,

 

The SS16X42 is the only one I'm having problems with... never had anything like this w/ my 1998 vintage SS10X42... then again, this scope is getting toted around a lot in a soft case in the trunk of my car, sometimes a 150-200 miles or more to a match.  I'm kind of thinking the vibration might be causing the screws to back out.  As an aside, as a testament to the survivability of these scopes... that scope was on my tactical/F-class rig in the trunk of my car when I unfortunately had a severe accident... 65mph to zero in a very short distance.  The stainless steel Pro-Shot cleaning rod in the side pouch of the soft case has a very noticeable bend to it, the gun needed re-zeroed, and it looks like I may have to re-zero the parallax adjustment ring.  Scope still tracks thru a box test like a champ.

 

Thanks,

 

Monte

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HU100 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote HU100 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/30/2005 at 19:27

 

I am woried about the same thing on my 10x42.  I tighten, but I am afraid I may over-tighten.  I have a T-handle torque wrench set for 15 inch pounds for my bases and scope rings.  Would 15 inch pounds be too much torque for the SS turrets?

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