Scope mounts came lose on my CZ

[zobster]

Had this happened to anyone? I was out target shooting and noticed my shots were all over the place. That's fairly unusual as the cz is always spot on.

Got home and discovered that my scope mounts has actually gotten so lose that it actually slipped off the dovetail as I was cleaning it.

Can't understand how did it happened. I remembered I torque the screws fairly tight and it was fine for all my shooting until today when it suddenly came lose.

[aaronjo]

Maybe Loctite?

[brett1868]

Yep, had a similar thing a couple weeks back on my Era-Tac mount. I had it torqued to 80in/lbs which I "Ass"sumed was enough, seems 105in/lbs is enough after I read the manual. I'm not in the habit of missing so when I started drifting all over the place I gave the scope a good pull, push & twist and found it had shot loose. Now it's at 105in/lbs so hopefully that problems been solved.
Saw a guy last year out St Marys with a brand new Barrett M98B, NightForce NXS scope and a cheap ass set of rings. After maybe 15-20 rounds he called the R/O in to check the rifle as he couldn't get it zeroed. Turned out that the scope was moving under recoil through the rings as well as twisting which left some nasty ass marks on the tube. The gun shop had set it up for him, didn't use Loctite and didn't torque the rings down properly. I can't understand how someone can spend $12-13k on a package only to buy cheap rings? I put just as much emphasise on the rings as I do on the scope which is why I only use Barrett, Era-Tac or NightForce on the big stuff and NightForce, Sako or Leupold on the lighter recoiling rifles.
The rifle, scope and rings all come together to form a package that's only as good as the weakest part.

[Die Judicii]

Had this happened to anyone? I was out target shooting and noticed my shots were all over the place. That's fairly unusual as the cz is always spot on.

Got home and discovered that my scope mounts has actually gotten so lose that it actually slipped off the dovetail as I was cleaning it.

Can't understand how did it happened. I remembered I torque the screws fairly tight and it was fine for all my shooting until today when it suddenly came lose.

Maybe the bad fairies have got a set of Torx drivers or Allen Keys ???

[RDobber]

Yeah I've had it happen before.

I put it down to being afraid of doing the screws too tight and obviously not them enough. Lasted 50 or 60 rounds before I noticed I think.

Just did it a bit tighter (that I felt comfortable with I'll say but) and never had it happen again. Obviously I was wrong the first time

A torque screwdriver would be the proper solution.

[zobster]

In the case of rifles with heavy recoil, I can understand that it is possible for the mounts/rings to be shaken lose by the recoil.

But this happened on my CZ, I was shooting 22lr, 22mag and 17. They hardly have any recoil. I'm just really annoyed that I have to zero the scope again.

I'm getting some blue loctite from bunnings later.

[aaronjo]

I forgot which colour is was but I know to avoid a particular one, maybe one of the more wiser ones will chip in and tell ya.

[Die Judicii]

I forgot which colour is was but I know to avoid a particular one, maybe one of the more wiser ones will chip in and tell ya.

A good accurizing torque wrench/screw driver is a good investment, and don't cost millions.

Apart from that, on the subject of Loctite,,,, I would recommend "Thread Locker" which is a Loctite product, and is blue in color, and is designed for low to medium strength retention of screws etc. (make sure you get the right one cos I think there are several that are blue in color)
Plus, its not all that difficult to undo when needed. Maybe at worst apply a little gentle heat with a hair dryer.

But, avoid the red colored ones which are generally "high strength"

[bigfellascott]

Loctite or nail polish does the trick usually (no I not giving ya any of mine, I like my nails painted purdy)

[bretty1307]

Yeah mine did the same. Lock tight the threads and you'll have no dramas

[Title_II]

Had this happened to anyone? I was out target shooting and noticed my shots were all over the place. That's fairly unusual as the cz is always spot on.

Got home and discovered that my scope mounts has actually gotten so lose that it actually slipped off the dovetail as I was cleaning it.

Can't understand how did it happened. I remembered I torque the screws fairly tight and it was fine for all my shooting until today when it suddenly came lose.

You torque properly, not tightly. Check the specs and use a torque wrench/driver. And use some locktite

[Lyam]

I put it down to being afraid of doing the screws too tight and obviously not them enough. Lasted 50 or 60 rounds before I noticed I think.

Just did it a bit tighter (that I felt comfortable with I'll say but) and never had it happen again. Obviously I was wrong the first time

A torque screwdriver would be the proper solution.

Yeah torque screwdriver.

It's a bit of a luxury if you've only got one rifle to do once or twice as they're more than just a couple of bucks for a good one.

If you've got some other things you'll use it for it's not the worst investment in the world.

[bigfellascott]

Can't say I've ever used a torque wrench or screwdriver to tighten any screws on any of my firearms - I must be doing it wrong I guess cos nothings ever come loose until I want it to.

[Title_II]

Can't say I've ever used a torque wrench or screwdriver to tighten any screws on any of my firearms - I must be doing it wrong I guess cos nothings ever come loose until I want it to.

Oh yeah? Check the loose nut behind the stock

[aaronjo]

Can't say I've ever used a torque wrench or screwdriver to tighten any screws on any of my firearms - I must be doing it wrong I guess cos nothings ever come loose until I want it to.

Oh yeah? Check the loose nut behind the stock

You mean Loctite can fix that?!?

[Die Judicii]

Can't say I've ever used a torque wrench or screwdriver to tighten any screws on any of my firearms - I must be doing it wrong I guess cos nothings ever come loose until I want it to.

Oh yeah? Check the loose nut behind the stock

You mean Loctite can fix that?!?

All jokes aside, Loctite is one of the best products I've ever used.
In the 40 plus years I worked in heavy industry, good ol Loctite was used regularly.
Even in times of rush and emergency repairs, I have many times used the "high strength" red ones on greasy nuts, bolts, studs etc without even using any priming fluid.
Just a quick wipe with a rag, and bung it together.

It ALWAYS seemed to do its job well.

In fact, we hardly ever used the priming fluid at all.

The only thing I didn't like about it was when you accidentally got some on the lips from your fingers,,,, a horrible sort of sweet taste.

[Oldbloke]

"nail polish does the trick usually"
Does the job for me! Always nearby in the bathroom... LOL

[bigfellascott]

"nail polish does the trick usually"
Does the job for me! Always nearby in the bathroom... LOL

That's it mate, cheap and effective and the wife and kids usually have bottles of the stuff lying all over the place

[brett1868]

The only thing I didn't like about it was when you accidentally got some on the lips from your fingers,,,, a horrible sort of sweet taste.

I actually don't mind the taste
Loctite 222 is what Barrett recommend for their rings, not easy to find over the counter but plenty available on eBay.

Torque wrenches can generally be bought from bicycle shops, look for packs of MAMIL's lingering out front. Resist the urge to check their packages or moose knuckles and head inside to the tool section or failing access to a good bike shop, there's always eBay

I have one of these because I was specifically after in/lbs though this tool can be switched between various units http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1-4-1-25-25Nm-Bicycle-Bike-Digital-Torque-Wrench-Repair-Tool-/161458952332?hash=item2597b4188c

[Manimal]

What's this about one colour you must avoid?

[Title_II]

What's this about one colour you must avoid?

Red is forever. Like get the torch out and cut it.

[Die Judicii]

What's this about one colour you must avoid?

Red is forever. Like get the torch out and cut it.

Not quite that drastic,, but you do need to keep it just hot enough while undoing it.
If you take the heat away, and continue undoing it will readily bind up again.

The worst mistake is to use the "reds" and then find that you cant get heat into it to undo, without damaging other parts or equipment with the heat.

[Die Judicii]

Hey Brett,,
I have heard that "long term addiction" to Loctite can have weird effects on you hair.

[brett1868]

Hey Brett,,
I have heard that "long term addiction" to Loctite can have weird effects on you hair.

I'm not bald yet though it can't be far off based on the sunburn I get if not wearing a hat.

Tip for getting heat into hex / torx screws....hold the Hex key in something insulated, push into the head of the screw / bolt and apply heat to the key with a small torch whist keeping some pressure on the screw. The heat should transfer into the screw enough to soften the Loctite so it can be removed. Keep in mind that the tool will quite possibly lose its hardness after being heated rendering it unsafe. Acetone dissolves Loctite as well so if possible apply liberally several times around the bolt thread and try removing it. Remember that Acetone and many other materials don't play well together.

Years of using Loctite on RC choppers and multi rotors taught me a few tricks with their tiny hex bolts that required red Loctite to stay in place. I used to build them first without Loctite then once happy with the setup I'd go through each screw and Loctite them separately.

[Berper]

Red is forever. Like get the torch out and cut it.

Rifle for sale, scope included