Leupold Base Securing Question

Clevinger · March 5, 2013, 06:25 PM

I was taught to use loctite for base screws. Leupold's instructions for their bases says, "Due to the performance of the Torx driving system, the use of a thread locker is not necessary. Leupold recommends using a high quality gun oil applied to the screw threads before assembling to ensure maximum tightening of the base screws."

1. Should I not use loctite then?
2. Should I use oil on the threads, as they state?

There is essentially a difference between what I've been taught and what their instructions say. Makes me nervous.

Scorch · March 5, 2013, 06:43 PM

Your call. I still do. Probably just an old habit. Yes, Torx screws hold well, but Allen head screws held well, too, but sometimes came loose.

tahoe2 · March 5, 2013, 08:56 PM

I have Leupold bases on my mauser (6 years) no note and used locktite.

Clevinger · March 5, 2013, 09:14 PM

I talked with a tech from the company who was helpful.

He said the torque specifications on the package are for using oil and not loctite. He said you could use loctite if you wanted still.

I went ahead and used oil and no loctite like the recommend. They are a good company and I doubt they would recommend something if it didn't work well.

Sweet Shooter · March 6, 2013, 12:47 PM

I use a dot of oil. I think the intention is that it allows for the screw to stretch slightly into the tapped hole. I usually torque the screw to "click" a few times.

reynolds357 · March 6, 2013, 09:20 PM

If you dont use Loctite, use oil. They torque tighter with oil than they do dry.
Some people on here dont like the practice, but I bed my bases. I definitely use no oil. If I ever need to get them off, a little heat takes care of that problem.

eldermike · March 6, 2013, 09:29 PM

I bed bases with clear fingernail polish. With torx screws I just tighten them.

hooligan1 · March 8, 2013, 07:18 PM

I use Leupold rings and bases exclusively, and have for several years and rifles gone by, for me "blue" locktite and recommended torque specs have kept my scopes from even slightly shifting, they never loose zero.

PVL · March 8, 2013, 10:40 PM

I've had the same experience as hooligan1... I use a drop of blue Locktite, and have never had a problem with a screw on my Leupold bases loosening, even with magnum calibers.

When I need to take them off for some reason, they come off OK too.

Works for me!

March 5, 2013, 06:25 PM	#1
Clevinger Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2009 Posts: 407	Leupold Base Securing Question I was taught to use loctite for base screws. Leupold's instructions for their bases says, "Due to the performance of the Torx driving system, the use of a thread locker is not necessary. Leupold recommends using a high quality gun oil applied to the screw threads before assembling to ensure maximum tightening of the base screws." 1. Should I not use loctite then? 2. Should I use oil on the threads, as they state? There is essentially a difference between what I've been taught and what their instructions say. Makes me nervous. Last edited by Clevinger; March 5, 2013 at 09:13 PM.

March 5, 2013, 06:43 PM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Your call. I still do. Probably just an old habit. Yes, Torx screws hold well, but Allen head screws held well, too, but sometimes came loose. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

March 8, 2013, 07:18 PM	#8
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	I use Leupold rings and bases exclusively, and have for several years and rifles gone by, for me "blue" locktite and recommended torque specs have kept my scopes from even slightly shifting, they never loose zero. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

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March 5, 2013, 08:56 PM	#3
tahoe2 Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2011 Location: Seattle area Posts: 661	I have Leupold bases on my mauser (6 years) no note and used locktite.

March 5, 2013, 09:14 PM	#4
Clevinger Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2009 Posts: 407	I talked with a tech from the company who was helpful. He said the torque specifications on the package are for using oil and not loctite. He said you could use loctite if you wanted still. I went ahead and used oil and no loctite like the recommend. They are a good company and I doubt they would recommend something if it didn't work well.

March 6, 2013, 12:47 PM	#5
Sweet Shooter Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2011 Posts: 672	I use a dot of oil. I think the intention is that it allows for the screw to stretch slightly into the tapped hole. I usually torque the screw to "click" a few times.

March 6, 2013, 09:20 PM	#6
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,164	If you dont use Loctite, use oil. They torque tighter with oil than they do dry. Some people on here dont like the practice, but I bed my bases. I definitely use no oil. If I ever need to get them off, a little heat takes care of that problem.

March 6, 2013, 09:29 PM	#7
eldermike Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2013 Location: NC Posts: 545	I bed bases with clear fingernail polish. With torx screws I just tighten them.

March 8, 2013, 10:40 PM	#9
PVL Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2013 Posts: 169	I've had the same experience as hooligan1... I use a drop of blue Locktite, and have never had a problem with a screw on my Leupold bases loosening, even with magnum calibers. When I need to take them off for some reason, they come off OK too. Works for me!