Scope Base Install

[Buddylee]

I've got another one, I have a Badger base that I'm going to put on my Remington 700 rifle. I want to protect the bottom of the base and the top of the receiver from corrosion so I'd like to put something on them to keep moisture out. Any suggested products like oils or wax? If you guys have seen the IV8888 video where Chad completely douses the rail with Red Loctite, that's pretty much what I'm trying to accomplish... but the thing is I'd like to take the base of some day if I have to and not completely mold the rail to the rifle!

 

[earlthegoat2]

Use blue loctite then.

 

[troy fairweather]

From my experience loctite rusts steel.

 

[a5werkes]

That may be your observed experience, but there is no chemical reason to believe Loctite causes steel to rust. The common Loctite adhesives are anaerobic reactions (complete the chemical process of adhesion in the absence of oxygen), which is why a bottle of Loctite remains liquid just sitting on the shelf surrounded by "oxygen". Rust requires oxygen to Oxidize the metal it's rusting! So, if it's rustin' you probably have a pretty good gap in your metal-to-metal fittings. Just sayin'.

 

[TonyAngel]

I use red loctite as a “bedding.” It will keep everything out. Been doing it for years.

 

[beag_nut]

That may be your observed experience, but there is no chemical reason to believe Loctite causes steel to rust. The common Loctite adhesives are anaerobic reactions (complete the chemical process of adhesion in the absence of oxygen), which is why a bottle of Loctite remains liquid just sitting on the shelf surrounded by "oxygen". Rust requires oxygen to Oxidize the metal it's rusting! So, if it's rustin' you probably have a pretty good gap in your metal-to-metal fittings. Just sayin'.

Absolutely accurate! Any exposed Loctite cannot harden. The exposed metal (exposed to oxygen), might rust, but it has nothing to do with Loctite.

 

[troy fairweather]

I've never had loctite on my guns rust but have picked up a few were there was rust under the loctite and no where else. I've never used it to bed the base tho. I suppose it could have been bare metal before the loctite was used. I always wipe the base and action down with oil before installing them.

 

[herrwalther]

That may be your observed experience, but there is no chemical reason to believe Loctite causes steel to rust. The common Loctite adhesives are anaerobic reactions (complete the chemical process of adhesion in the absence of oxygen), which is why a bottle of Loctite remains liquid just sitting on the shelf surrounded by "oxygen". Rust requires oxygen to Oxidize the metal it's rusting! So, if it's rustin' you probably have a pretty good gap in your metal-to-metal fittings. Just sayin'.

Fascinating. Did not know that.

A thin line of blue Loctite just inside the rail would protect the receiver without making it too hard to pull off later. Larry Potterfield just puts a generous coating of gun oil on receiver and base to prevent rust. As long as there isn't any large gaps between the receiver in rail to trap moisture, shouldn't be a big issue. Looks like he used plain Rem-Oil

 

[Bill M.]

My personal experience is that you do not need to do anything special. Mine are just screwed down with maybe a coat of oil or wax on the gun first. I see no evidence of corrosion. Of course I have not taken the one that has been there for 50 years off to check under it. But it looks fine. At least nothing showing around the edges. I have hunted that rifle in snow, 20 below cold, and rain and fog.

 

[BBBBill]

If you find that you need shims to get the bases level then please use proper scope base shims instead of beer or pop can material. Its inconsistent in thickness and the different material may cause bimetallic corrosion.