Leupold Base Securing Question

C

Clevinger

New member
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:
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.;)
 
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!
 
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