Prevent scope slippage with silicone RTV

[TaperPin]

I just read how guys on the African hunting forum use a thin layer of silicone rtv on the lower scope ring and it locks the scope in place and can’t slip, but the scope will lift out of the rings unharmed if needed. Brilliant!

I do know from gluing big mirrors onto walls, that not all normal household silicone caulking fully hardens - definitely test to make sure it cures to a firm consistency.

 

[hereinaz]

I just read how guys on the African hunting forum use a thin layer of silicone rtv on the lower scope ring and it locks the scope in place and can’t slip, but the scope will lift out of the rings unharmed if needed. Brilliant!

I do know from gluing big mirrors onto walls, that not all normal household silicone caulking fully hardens - definitely test to make sure it cures to a firm consistency.

I use blue loctite. I know others that do too.

 

[TaperPin]

I use blue loctite. I know others that do too.

That’s interesting - I’ve been hesitant to try it not knowing if the scope would come out of the rings.

 

[HandgunHTR]

I have only had one scope slip in the rings and that was a Bushnell Elite 3-9 in the factory Tikka rings they supplied with the original T3 back in the day. A little bit of lapping, followed by a generous dab of blue loctite and proper torque fixed it right up. When I finally replaced that system after getting educated, a little bit of solvent and some elbow grease cleaned it right off the scope tube.
Since switching to better mounting systems and practices, I have yet to have a scope slip.

 

[ljalberta]

What about just using reliable rings, properly torqued that have proven to hold the scope?

I would suspect that modern machined precision rings on precision made rifles shouldn’t need to to be lapped or have any tapes, or liquid product put between the rings and scope itself.

But, I’m not an expert on this matter. Looking forward to seeing other input.

 

[WeiserBucks]

What about just using reliable rings, properly torqued that have proven to hold the scope?

Don't be bringing logic and common sense into the discussion.

 

[hereinaz]

What about just using reliable rings, properly torqued that have proven to hold the scope?

I would suspect that modern machined precision rings on precision made rifles shouldn’t need to to be lapped or have any tapes, or liquid product put between the rings and scope itself.

But, I’m not an expert on this matter. Looking forward to seeing other input.

I agree with the premise completely. There is no need for more, but I still add loctite for added insurance.

Here is one problem with the premise for the general population as well. It assumes precision action, precision rail, precision rings. And, proper scope and torque wrench for mounting. Not sure people get all those differences.

In the perfect situation, I know of smiths that have used all precision parts and shown how even then, in some situations the rings are not concentric to each other. That affects the force meant to prevent slippage. They go to lengths to lap and then bed the scope in the rings with epoxy for perfect mount on that rifle. They use release agent when bedding so the scope is removable, then clean it up for permanent mounting.

I think this the operative series of questions:

Does application of loctite improve or diminish gripping performance of the rings?

Do you want to minimize the slim possibility of slippage with a two second placement of loctite?

Besides me, I know of quite a few who are hard users of their gear that like a little added protection of loctite without the massive effort of bedding scopes into rings.

 

[mgray]

I’m no expert, but I used a little rosin powder in some Vortex rings on a .375 Ruger. That scope hasn’t moved yet.