Rifle Scopes base screws worked loose!!!!!

[danial1973]

So, I'm a FNG and i do a lot of reading a searching and haven't made many posts but now i need a bit of advice.

I want to get into the long range shooting game and had a 30/06 ADL that shot reasonable groups (1 inch or better @ 100 yards) in the crappy stock it came with.

I bought a NF 5.5 - 22 x 56 MLR MRAD, NF 20moa rail and Loupy QR rings. Next I put into a HS Tac stock (PST026) with a DBM.


All that done it didnt shoot better it shot worse!?! So back to do some research, bought a FAT wrench and retorqued everything down. Still no good. I took it to the local G/S and talked to him. He told me to sell everything under the rail and get a sendero!?! i also asked him about the screws for the base as i am using 6x48 not the 8x40. I also used the blue Locktite. He told me that the bigger screws were not needed. as he uses 6x48 on his 300 RUM with a Loupy MK4 and has never had an issue.

This week a bought a cheep 300 Win Mag that will either shoot or be rebarreled, so i stripped down the '06 and found the screws on the base loose and the recoil lug(?) on the base bent back!!!!!! Its no wonder i couldnt develope a lode for the bugger.

Where have i gone wrong? Should i get the new rifle drilled and tapped for 8x40 and the base pinned because the recoil lug on the is cactus?

BTW the smith i went to has a very very good reputation here in south east Australia. He didn't work on the rifle he just gave me advice.

Thanks

Danny

 

[sobrbiker883]

Re: base screws worked loose!!!!!

So you almost spent how much money over four loose screws?

If the recoil lug on the base is peened, get a new base with some new screws and put it back together. Search for "bedding base" as you may want to do that too.

Bigger screws are good, but not necessry, they just need to be properly tightened.

 

[danial1973]

Re: base screws worked loose!!!!!

Thanks, Sobrbiker,

I bedded the base using loktite 660 as per a tute i found through here. i bought the 300 WM to increace down range energy and because in Austraila its not as easy as ringing midway to order a new bolt. The '06 will get sold off for about the same price as i got the 300 WM.

One peice bases here are expensive too, i was thinking i could drill and install a roll pin or small taper pin, after i have it remounted. Would that work ok? Or tap a pointed grub screw into the base to line up with the front of the reciever opening?

I also just realised that this post should have probably gone in the Gunsmithing page, my apologies to all. Any chance a Mod could move it for me? Or shoud i repost?


Danny

 

[Top Cat]

Re: base screws worked loose!!!!!

Sounds like the metal the base is made of is soft, but glue the base to the action with epoxy and it will stay put.

TC

 

[zenbiker]

Re: base screws worked loose!!!!!

Having the base and action modified to accept 8-40 screws is worth the effort. Most of the bases will allow the use of six 8-40s. Not familiar with the NF base, always use Badger myself; pitch the QD rings and get TSR Steel rings from Brownells (like Badger Rings, but helluva lot cheaper). Some shooters like their bases epoxied on, not a bad idea but I've never done it; can't hurt.

Critical point: the base must sit passively on the action and one end should not raise off the action when the other end is tightened. If it does, the base needs to be properly shimmed and bedded. Ill fitting bases will twist as the action flexes and loosen your base screws. A good accuracy 'smith can address this for you.

That being said, you certainly can't be criticized for not enough scope. Good luck with a frustrating problem; it'll all work out and you'll be back in business soon.