Author Topic: Ruger SBH hunter loosens up after range session: solutions? (Read 644 times)

Mawgie · « **on:** August 16, 2004, 05:06:31 PM »

Folks-
I am the happy owner of a Ruger SBH Bisley hunter in .44 Magnum, and regularly take it to the range to practice for whitetail season with 24 grains of H110 behind a 240 grain XTP. I usually shoot 50-75 rounds in a session.

After shooting, when I take the gun down to clean it, most, if not all of the screws on the frame have loosened up. Is this normal, and if so, should I just relax and tighten them up after each range session? Or is some loctite in order (I'm thnking no loctite, which could interfere with getting the gun apart in the future for deep cleaning, or smithing.)

Also, I have my gun scoped, and like to remove the scope (at the mounts) after shooting to make it easier to clean. I haven't noticed any loss of zero, and am wondering if others do this, too, or do most of you keep your gun scoped while you clean?........

Thanks for any input.

-Mawgie

Zeus · « **Reply #1 on:** August 16, 2004, 05:32:20 PM »

Some people use the removable loctite but I've seen some use pipe tape (the white stuff in the blue round container) on their freedom arms and also sometimes monofilament line on the screws in some rugers to keep the screws from backing out and loosening up. The removable loc tite is a toss up with me because on the ones I've looked at, the instructions state that it is removable on screws that are at least 1/4" in diameter or so. Can't remember the specifics, been a while since I looked at any, as you can tell, I don't use it. Good luck with it. GS

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #2 on:** August 16, 2004, 11:28:59 PM »

its normal and i just take a screwdrive along when i shoot and tighten everything about every 100 shots.

twodollarpistol · « **Reply #3 on:** August 17, 2004, 12:00:35 AM »

Quote from: Lloyd Smale

its normal and i just take a screwdrive along when i shoot and tighten everything about every 100 shots.

I agree with Lloyd Smale. Stay away from the lock tite for the reasons you mentioned. Just be sure to use properly fitting gun smith screw drivers and avoid trying to over tighten. You dont want to bugger the screw heads, just snug them up as needed.

Steve P · « **Reply #4 on:** August 17, 2004, 03:44:47 PM »

I have same problem with some of my contender barrels and sights or scope mounts. A little loctite 222 (purple) or fingernail polish does the trick. Is not hard to clean up. I little heat will loosen it right up if it does stick.

Good luck with that 44.

Steve