Optilocks and thread lock... Yes or no.

[paultap]

Hi guys
I will shortly be fitting a set of optilock rings and bases to a tikka T3 in 270 cal. Having not used the two piece optilocks before, I am wondering if I should use a smidgen of blue thread lock to the bolts joining the rings to the bases , the aim being to avoid the possibility of the rings loosening on the bases under recoil. (I have seen this happen before)

I would be be interested to hear your views on this.

Many thanks.

 

[.25-06]

yes, thread lock

 

[Ranger22]

Never felt the need to use threadlock but if it gives you piece of mind go for it, can't do any harm

Al

 

[long_range_rob]

I concur. Threadlock is very sensible.

 

[Druid]

Anyone care to recommend which loctite number to use on mounts? I have seen lots of options. Don't want to ruin anything.

 

[swarovski]

Ive used optilocks for 12 year's or more and I've never glued them, why on earth for.

 

[mickey308]

Hi All,

I've 5 sets of Optilocks and have never found it necessary for a locking compound. But, if it gives more confidence and peace of mind then do it!

Nail varnish lacquer was recommended to me by a very competent Gunsmith as a first try if one has any doubts about things working loose on a rifle? but, if anybody is going down the compound road then 222 is the one to use as it is "Tool Strength" meaning, the lock can be broken with normal hand tools and screwdriver bits"

Hope this might help.

Best regards to all,
Micky

 

[Sierra]

I have optilocks on my 595 .308 and although I have only owned it for 8 months i have had no issues with zero shift/ moving mounts. Very well engineered but if you feel the need I can't see it doing any harm

 

[Southern]

I just installed Optilocks on a Sako today, no thread locker. Williams and Weaver sell thread lockers, just for scopes and sights.

I use bare metal, steel to steel, and oil the threads for rust prevention, with Rem Oil, something which will not dry and gum up. I have had to use heat and all kinds of things to remove screws stuck with Loctite Red, and even Blue. If I were using it for a set screw, I would use the lowest strength, softer Loctite, 222 Purple.

 

[AnthonyR]

Do Sako recomend the use of thread lock with Optilocks?

No, they don't, it's not necessary even on big recoiling rifles and can cause serious problems if not used properly. On riflesmith I spoke to said he get loads of work on seized mounts/rails etc due to over zealous use of thread lock type compounds.

 

[Muir]

I used to curse the people who brought Loc-Tite ed guns into my shop. If a scope/mount is properly installed it won't go anywhere.~Muir

 

[paul o']

i for one don't use any lock tight on rings i just lock them up to 15 ftlb rings and 30 ftlb mounts to rail not had them undo so far

 

[ejg]

Optilocks have lousy quality screws, alan head strips very easily, I therefore used a small amount of Loctite on mine. Loctite also keeps water out which avoids rust. One has to use the correct Loctite, just like putting the right powder into the cartridge...
The single screw that connects the bottom section with the mid section sometimes opens on its own in use, I use green permanent Loctite on that one. Even that Loctite can be opened with heat.
edi

 

[paultap]

Thanks for the replies guys,

having seen the Optilock rings become loosened from the bases on a friends 30-06 , I can see that there is the potential for a problem, fortunately this happened on a range when checking the zero on the rifle, this would have caused a major problem if this had happened whilst out stalking. This incident was enough to make me think that it may well be worth doing.

 

[.25-06]

Exactly what happened to mine so base to ring gets Loctite now, hadn't realised for first 5yrs base and ring separate. Then one day at targets it had a wobble wont happen again.

Thanks for the replies guys,

having seen the Optilock rings become loosened from the bases on a friends 30-06 , I can see that there is the potential of a problem, fortunately this happened on a range when checking the zero on the rifle, this would have caused a major problem if this had happened whilst out stalking. This incident was enough to make me think that it may well be worth doing.

 

[paultap]

Do Sako recomend the use of thread lock with optilocks? No, they don't,


Neither do they say that the screws they use are of such poor quality that they are easily stripped.

 

[AnthonyR]

Do Sako recomend the use of thread lock with optilocks? No, they don't,


Neither do they say that the screws they use are of such poor quality that they are easily stripped.

I have fitted loads and have never stripped any and have never had any come loose either.

 

[hunterscabin]

I only ever locktite the picatinny rails .

 

[palo]

I have used optilock rings for years and never had any problems but one of my mates had a problem with the base to ring screw coming loose and had to use locktite.
Another mate had a problem with the optilock bases slipping backwards on the sako dovetail.
No matter how much he tightened the base screws they would move backwards after a few shots. He then tried locktite but it didnt help.
This was on a 6.5x55 and he had to get the base drilled and had a pin inserted to cure it.
I have seen a lot of things happen to scopes and mounts since we started using moderators on our rifles

 

[liongeorge]

I have used optilock rings for years and never had any problems but one of my mates had a problem with the base to ring screw coming loose and had to use locktite.
Another mate had a problem with the optilock bases slipping backwards on the sako dovetail.
No matter how much he tightened the base screws they would move backwards after a few shots. He then tried locktite but it didnt help.
This was on a 6.5x55 and he had to get the base drilled and had a pin inserted to cure it.
I have seen a lot of things happen to scopes and mounts since we started using moderators on our rifles

The same thing happened to me on a Sako the tapered rail and design of optiloc as a concept is crap. (I don't have time to expand now but may do later, it will take some time!) So it is now sorted with a picatinny rail from roedale.