Was mounting steel Talley bases on my Whitworth in 375 and while tightening up the rear base, the screws both stripped out super easy. It was kind of disconcerting as I wasn't leaning on them, was just snugging them up. Looks like bottom 4 threads just stripped off. Emailed Talley and sure they will send replacements.
So if I put some blue loctite on them and just snug them up, will that be strong enough? To be honest, started looking at going to a peep sight on this rifle after this happened but really wanted a low power scope on it.
I guess another option is having them retapped with 8x40s. Thoughts?
With a 375 I would go 8-40's. Loctite Red might work and perhaps may be worth a try if funds do not allow the drill/tap to 8-40. Use the Loctite and shoot the pizz out of it. If no issues all is good. Again, I would go the 8-40 route.
I've been using 6x48 screws for years with heavy recoilers, much stouter than a 9+ pound H&H, and haven't had one come loose yet. I've had some rifles d/t to 8x40, but that wasn't because I've had problems, I just figured during the build process it was cheap insurance.
If I understand you correctly you're saying that the screws stripped, not the receiver. If so, I'd treat those screws as suspect and have another go at it with the new ones. I'd secure them somewhere between farmer and gorilla tight. Use medium (blue) Loctite if you want, but I wouldn't use high-strength (red) on a 6x48 screw. If I misunderstand you and it's the receiver that stripped, then d/t to 8x40 is the easiest and most secure fix, unless you want to TIG the base in place...
406 and Ed, Looks like the screws stripped to me. I had a set of QR Leupolds on there but didn't like the ring spacing. When I removed them, they seemed very snug. Could have just been some bad screws from Talley. Will give it a run with the new ones to see if that solves it.
If not, then can go 8x40 on this base perhaps. Seems like an easy way to get some extra insurance. Buddy gifted this rig to me years ago and it is never getting sold so might as well get it the way it needs to be.
30338,
Despite what many believe, there's no significant screw-strength advantage in 8-40's over 6-48's, because the larger, deeper threads result in about the same screw diameter between the threads. There is a slight advantage in thread strength, but not much, because the difference in thread width is minor.The main reason some knowledgable gunsmiths re-tap and thread to 8-40 is because the holes can clean up off-center 6-48 holes.
Some Whitworths have minimal thickness in the bridge, probably due to over-polishing in some actions. This results in minimal thread contact for the screw threads, which isn't going to be fixed by making the hole wider. Some people solve the problem by epoxying the rear base to the bridge, which usually works. If the rear base needs to come off, a little heat will release it.
Proper 8-40's holes and screws will allow nary a problem and would be my solution here. The receiver threads are likely really unknown at this point.
Use a torque driver and torque the base screws to no more than 25 inch-lbs. That's not a lot of torque and is far from "farmer tight". I set my driver at 24 and have never had any problems with the Talley base screws. If you use Loctite, stick with the blue and don't coat the threads--just dab a little under the head of the screw so that the head is gripped by the base hole.