Thread: Loctite....?

Long story short - rifle drastically lost zero and when I was attempting to sight it in again; it wasn't shooting consistently.

After half a dozen rounds I figured it wasn't me and something on the rifle was playing up. Sure enough, a screw has snapped of in the receiver and the scope had wasn't secured. The rifle is at a local engineers getting the broken screw removed - hopefully. If he can't do it without damaging the thread, off to the gunsmith the rifle goes. A little research shows the screws/bases to be a common issue with these rifles - barely tightened at factory and drowning in oil.

Anyway...... what loctite product do people use/recommend when I reinstall the one piece base (Marlin XL7). Is this what I'm after - 'TL-242 Thread Locker & Sealant - MEDIUM Strength | Trade Me

Anyone in the Manawatu/Wanganui region that could spare a few drops?

Cheers,
Jono

If you use a bit of 515 under the base it will "bed" it onto the action also.

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I would use Loctite 222 or the Permatex equivalent - that is low strength

Last time I had a screw broken like that I had to take it to Barnards and it was removed with spark erosion. It was in a trigger though, an allen grub screw and as hard as hell. Resisted drilling attempts. Beaut removal job with no damage to the thread. I use a two part epoxy under the base and Loctite 243 on the screws although the 515 is the more elegant solution.

Nail polish @Pop Shot

Originally Posted by Neckshot

Nail polish @Pop Shot

+1

Originally Posted by Neckshot

Nail polish @Pop Shot

Cha ching!

I will epoxy the base down and use some of the other halves nail polish.

Any colour preference @Neckshot

yep I epoxied my bases down too it has helped a shitload

and medium strength Loctite on the base screws, nothing on the ring screws.

and be sure to clean out the threads both in the action and the screws themselves

Originally Posted by scoped

yep I epoxied my bases down too it has helped a shitload and medium strength Loctite on the base screws, nothing on the ring screws.

Be sure to clean out the threads both in the action and the screws themselves

That's the plan but I will give Nail Polish a crack first. I will also tap the screw on the head to help sink/set the screw.

Will order my new screws tomorrow - pretty sure I've tracked down the righy buggers online.

Not sure who would stock them in store in Palmerston North? - 6x48 3/8" (slotted or torx fillister head). Is it worth ringing H&F?

Originally Posted by Pop Shot

That's the plan but I will give Nail Polish a crack first. I will also tap the screw on the head to help sink/set the screw.

Will order my new screws tomorrow - pretty sure I've tracked down the righy buggers online.

Not sure who would stock them in store in Palmerston North? - 6x48 3/8" (slotted or torx fillister head). Is it worth ringing H&F?

Sounds like you'll be ready for this lr shoot on Saturday........


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I have some locktite In the shed but the nail polish will work

I invested in a torque wrench otherwise you're really just guessing how tight to screw them.

I had the same problem occur last year when I took my 300wm to Aussie, the rail screws worked loose, luckily it was on my last day of shooting.
When I got back to NZ I torqued them up and one screw snapped off.
Repetitive shooting with 10 shot mags and a hot barrel wouldn't have helped. When you get onto mobs of Donkeys and Horse's the brass is flying.
I still haven't got round fixing it but it's on the list of things to do this week. This time they will be Loctited so its not going to happen when I go back in August.

262 tread lock

Originally Posted by Mauser308

Snapping screws and coming loose can be a sign that the rail or bases aren't properly fitted or you are getting uneven stresses on the mount system, especially with the big heavy calibre rifles like the win mags and RUM's or Lapua offerings.

Properly bedding rails to reduce the stress helps, that pretty much requires a two-part tapable epoxy to custom cast the shims under the rail. If two-piece bases aren't in line there isn't a lot you can do, some receivers don't like some base setups. Try another and that's where the one-pack Loctite adhesives help. Using Loctite on screws doesn't help much if the screw bottoms out, check that before fitting. Also, less is better than more, too much Loctite can stop the product curing (found that the hard way).

I was advised to apply a little Araldite between the rail and receiver, but will check the screw length to make sure they don't bottom out.