Stirring the "oil vs loctite" pot

[The Harbor Master]

I'm creating this thread for a couple of reasons; mainly as anecdotal experience using loctite vs oil on ring cap screws, but also a PSA reminder to check your gear for rust and corrosion from time to time (even if it "shouldn't" be there). As a bonus, a bit of praise for Hawkins Precision.

I have a set of Hawkins' UltraLight Tactical Scope Rings, holding a Nightforce NXS 2.5-10x42 on a T3x 7RM. I've had this set up for 2 years, and it's been solid with no issues holding zero; its brought home 2 elk in 2 years... great rings. After the conclusion of my 2024 hunting season I decided to do a full breakdown and clean of all components, and found my ring cap screws corroded and rusty. While this rifle has obviously been out in the elements, I have been lucky enough to not be rained or snowed on (that I remember)... though it has been through temps ranging from -6⁰ to 75⁰.

My mounting process for this scope and the handful of others I've done is an acetone rinse/wipe for all screws and threads, a small drop of blue loctite, and torque to manufacturer specs. This has not given me any issues with things coming loose or holding zero, but this is the first problem I've had with corrosion. I did contact Hawkins and they were quick to respond; they suspect I received a bad batch of screws that did not take the melanite process well, and are sending me new screws free of charge. I'll be talking to them again about their recommendation for mounting procedures.

TL;DR - if you use loctite over oil, check for corrosion from time to time. Also, Hawkins Precision makes good products and has prompt, effective customer service.

 

[Mountain_Life]

A bit of corrosion sounds like a good bonding agent to ensure the screws won't come loose!

Kinda kidding, but honestly I'd take a little rust over a slippery, oily screw just waiting to rattle loose.

I lost a screw on my bow release today that I would still have if I'd put some locktite on it.

 

[JohnJohnson]

For guys using blue loctite, wouldn't it help to just not degrease the screws as much and use Loctite 243 instead of 242? The 243 is oil tolerant.

 

[The Harbor Master]

For guys using blue loctite, wouldn't it help to just not degrease the screws as much and use Loctite 243 instead of 242? The 243 is oil tolerant.

I'm still a scope mounting/gunsmithing novice, so you just blew my mind. I might have to research into that a bit... could be best of both worlds?

 

[Hnthrdr]

Rust is God’s loctite

 

[Antares]

Those screws look normal to me.

 

[The Harbor Master]

A bit of corrosion sounds like a good bonding agent to ensure the screws won't come loose!

Kinda kidding, but honestly I'd take a little rust over a slippery, oily screw just waiting to rattle loose.

I lost a screw on my bow release today that I would still have if I'd put some locktite on it.

I agree, better rusty and zeroed than clean and loose! Honestly, the rust isn't THAT bad... but we all work hard to afford good gear, and to find some rust breaks my heart a tiny bit. I could probably clean up everything on a wire wheel and re-mount, but to do that every year and spend awhile re-confirming zero sounds expensive and time consuming.

 

[The Harbor Master]

Those screws look normal to me.

Would you leave them like that if you noticed rust? Not being a dick, honestly asking. I'm not a metallurgist, but I just worry about it spreading or causing damage. Like I said, noob here... take it easy on me lol

 

[Mountain_Life]

Those screws look normal to me.

I agree, that's what my cap screws usually look like when removed.

 

[ElDiablito]

I decided to do a full breakdown and clean of all components, and found my ring cap screws corroded and rusty.

Wow! I wish I had that much spare time…..

 

[Antares]

Would you leave them like that if you noticed rust? Not being a dick, honestly asking. I'm not a metallurgist, but I just worry about it spreading or causing damage. Like I said, noob here... take it easy on me lol

Yes, I would leave them like that. I'd only be concerned if they were rusting to the point I thought them might be difficult to remove. I hunt coastal AK, my stuff is always wet and frequently salty. I use the exact same setup as you; I have three stainless Tikkas, all with Hawkins UL Tacticals and NXS 2.5-10s. If a rifle of mine is zeroed and shooting well, there's no way I'm breaking it down to mess with a little rust on the cap screws.

 

[The Harbor Master]

Yes, I would leave them like that. I'd only be concerned if they were rusting to the point I thought them might be difficult to remove. I hunt coastal AK, my stuff is always wet and frequently salty. I use the exact same setup as you; I have three stainless Tikkas, all with Hawkins UL Tacticals and NXS 2.5-10s. If a rifle of mine is zeroed and shooting well, there's no way I'm breaking it down to mess with a little rust on the cap screws.

Copy that, makes sense. While it's been able to take to game I haven't been terribly satisfied with my groupings (I'm the one causing a lot of that, I'm sure) and was making some changes anyway, so a strip down and clean didn't bother me since it would be already getting worked on. If I notice the same rust after a couple more years and it's shooting tight, I imagine I'll leave well enough alone.

It's not the first time I've made a mountain of a molehill and looked dumb on the internet, lol.

Thanks for everyone's input

 

[RingSteel]

I'm impressed that they sent you new screws. Nice.

 

[Unckebob]

I use the purple, low strength Loctite on rings because of the small screws.

 

[The Harbor Master]

I'm impressed that they sent you new screws. Nice.

Yea, they've been responsive and helpful. Got the screws on Friday, got everything remounted today... went the nail polish route, time will tell!

 

[roosiebull]

Rust is God’s loctite

That is good news, because if it can rust, it will rust around here. The rail screws on my rokstok are solid rust colored already, and my ring cap screws on my UM rings are starting to rust as well, I have not found a way to stop it on my bows or rifles

I was wondering if titanium hardware would be a solution, because anything steel will rust in my possession.

 

[taskswap]

You can have the best of both worlds. I use loctite on my optics mounting screws, but if you're really worried about corrosion a drop of WD-40 once that's cured will prevent the worst of it. For extreme environments, you could go with Cosmoline or a drop of nail polish. Acetone will take it right back off when you need to remove the screw.