Scope Mounting

Allen Kitts · 2025-01-30T17:38:29-0600

I had an issue recently with one of my rifles and the point of impact shift and terrible groups. The rifle originally shot great groups with my reloads and factory 212 ELD-X but then all of a sudden went gunny bag. Went from 1/2 MOA at 100 yards to about 3-1/2 MOA at 100 yards. The rifle only has about 50 rounds down the tube. I checked everything on my rifle to make sure the screws were tight on the action, the rings and bases and that the barrel was free floating etc. Couldn't find anything out of the ordinary. I finally sent the scope back to Nightforce thinking it had to be the issue. I received the call today that it was not the scope as the scope checked out fine and is on its way back but they did say by the looks of the marks on the scope they felt it might be moving in the rings.

McWhorters 300 PRC 215 Bergers @2907 FPS
Nightforce ATACR 5-25 x 56
Hawkins One Piece Rings and Bases

I need some input as to the best way to secure the scope in the rings as tightening the screws to the required torque specs apparently does not hold the scope tight enough. I have never run into this issue so just looking for some wisdom.

Thanks in advance.

dfanonymous · 2025-01-30T17:47:37-0600

Put some blue lock tight on the screws, then get you the Allen or torx wrench key, and tighten all the screws down in a criss cross pattern like you're doing lug nuts.

You don't want to put your arm into it…just go as much as your fingers and wrist will allow to set the torque.

The blue loctite will act like a lubricant, so using a torque wrench with it wouldn't be advisable as it will effect the torque wrenches calibration as they are made for dry torque.

If that doesn't work I'd probably hit up Hawkins.

Allen Kitts · 2025-01-30T17:49:47-0600

dfanonymous said:
Put some blue lock tight on the screws, then get you the Allen or torx wrench key, and tighten all the screws down in a criss cross pattern like you're doing lug nuts.

You don't want to put your arm into it…just go as much as your fingers and wrist will allow to set the torque.

The blue loctite will act like a lubricant, so using a torque wrench with it wouldn't be advisable as it will effect the torque wrenches calibration as they are made for dry torque.

If that doesn't work I'd probably hit up Hawkins.

That's exactly how they were installed but I did use a torque wrench.

Rick Richard · 2025-01-30T17:51:54-0600

Bedding

Allen Kitts · 2025-01-30T18:03:07-0600

Rick Richard said:
Bedding

Not yet I am still at work.

Hand Skills · 2025-01-30T18:06:11-0600

What torque value did you use on the ring caps, Allen?

Thanks!

Rick Richard · 2025-01-30T18:10:23-0600

Allen Kitts said:
Not yet I am still at work.

Haha. I meant bed it into the rings with a bedding material. It is the best way to secure scopes in large cartridge rifles in my opinion.

Hand Skills · 2025-01-30T18:13:20-0600

Some guys use rosin

Allen Kitts · 2025-01-30T18:16:19-0600

Rick Richard said:
Haha. I meant bed it into the rings with a bedding material. It is the best way to secure scopes in large cartridge rifles in my opinion.

I have never tried it. I will have to look it up.

Rick Richard · 2025-01-30T18:19:59-0600

Allen Kitts said:
I have never tried it. I will have to look it up.

Give Ryan Pierce from Piercision Rifles a call and he can fill you in on the process.

Clem Bronkoski · 2025-01-30T18:23:21-0600

I had the same thing happen and got a set of Warne Rings and that solved my issue.

memtb · 2025-01-30T18:25:42-0600

Allen Kitts said:
I had an issue recently with one of my rifles and the point of impact shift and terrible groups. The rifle originally shot great groups with my reloads and factory 212 ELD-X but then all of a sudden went gunny bag. Went from 1/2 MOA at 100 yards to about 3-1/2 MOA at 100 yards. The rifle only has about 50 rounds down the tube. I checked everything on my rifle to make sure the screws were tight on the action, the rings and bases and that the barrel was free floating etc. Couldn't find anything out of the ordinary. I finally sent the scope back to Nightforce thinking it had to be the issue. I received the call today that it was not the scope as the scope checked out fine and is on its way back but they did say by the looks of the marks on the scope they felt it might be moving in the rings.

McWhorters 300 PRC 215 Bergers @2907 FPS
Nightforce ATACR 5-25 x 56
Hawkins One Piece Rings and Bases

I need some input as to the best way to secure the scope in the rings as tightening the screws to the required torque specs apparently does not hold the scope tight enough. I have never run into this issue so just looking for some wisdom.

Thanks in advance.

Allen you could remove a small amount of ring material at the mating point on the rings. You could also put "blue" Loctite in the scope rings (saddles ) themselves. I have done that for years with our higher recoil rifles…..so far our scopes have not moved. Yet, scope removal is not difficult! memtb

ShtrRdy · 2025-01-30T19:27:10-0600

Where do you get rosin that's suitable for scope rings?

Recon$$ · 2025-01-30T19:32:17-0600

Midway or many small shops. I use it on my scopes on magnums. I'm not shy with torquing down scopes but in my experience a few have needed a little extra love. The rosin works.

Scope Mounting

Allen Kitts

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dfanonymous

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Allen Kitts

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Rick Richard

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Allen Kitts

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Hand Skills

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Rick Richard

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Hand Skills

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Allen Kitts

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Rick Richard

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Clem Bronkoski

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memtb

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ShtrRdy

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Recon$$

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