Scope mounting question

[MontanaPat]

I have a question about a scope I removed this weekend so I could take the rifle to have a custom stock made for it. The Leupold VX 3HD scope was mounted by me about 18 months ago and the rifle has only been out to the range one time to sight in the scope, other than that it has been in my humidity controlled gun safe the entire time. When I took the top scope ring off to remove the scope I noticed that under each ring was a large amount of residue that looked like some type of salt corrosion (see pictures). I removed the scope and used a cleaning patch with a little cleaner and then a silicone cleaning cloth to wipe the residue which came right off and left no marks or corrosion on the scope tube. It also cleaned right off the Leupold rings used to mount the scope.

My question is, what do you think caused this gunk on the scope and rings? I've never seen it on any of my other scopes when removing them to replace with a different scope. I do however have several Leupold and Zeiss scopes that I've mounted over the past few years that I've never removed and wonder if they have similar gunk under the rings? These scopes have been mounted using my Wheeler mounting kit and I've been using the Wheeler supplied removable Loc-Tite type fluid to secure the mounting screws and wonder if that has something to do with it, although I only use one small drop on the screw threads when mounting and don't think there is enough fluid to squeeze out of the threads.

Thoughts?

 

[C.W. Richter]

Pls show us the inside of the rings. Are they steel or aluminum (looks like steel-also see some rust). 'See a lil (blue) loc-tite in the screw holes. Looks like an aluminum oxide (aluminum rust!) However, loc-tite (exposed to moisture) can cause rust and also turn to white powder over time. 'Looks like quite a bit. I've seen this on other applications where an older container of loc-tite (w/ air and/or moisture in it) was used. Use less and a brand new tube and shake the loc-tite before using. That said, I NEVER use loc-tite on the rings, rather, just on the base screws. Scope rings should require NO loc-tite. If they do, get Talleys, Alaskan or eq.

 

[MontanaPat]

I think the rings are aluminum not steel but could be wrong. They are Leupold backcountry rings and bases. I cleaned the inside of the rings and didn’t take a picture of them so nothing to share. I did notice the bottle of LocTite has a cracked lid and is leaking from being tightened too tight, so maybe moisture has gotten into it and caused the issue

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Personally, I think LokTite has been overemphasized. I use it VERY sparingly. Not sure I have ever used it on any bases or rings and never had a problem. I hunt hard and often in quite variable conditions. But admittedly I'm not a range freak either so my guns don't get shot a lot.

 

[Nhoro]

It looks like oxidation. The black on scopes is usually anodising. You can get galvanic corrosion where 2 metals are in contact and the more reactive metal corrodes where moisture collects. Steel action connected to rings connected to scope, you will get corrosion if water sits for any length of time. I haven't used location on any of my rifles, just torqued down but Zimbabwe is pretty dry for most of the year so not a good example.

 

[45-70guy]

Looks like loc tite residue

 

[MontanaPat]

I’m thinking it must be some kind of Loc Tite residue, the gun has never been exposed to rain or water, been in a gun safe with a dehumidifier the entire time I’ve owned it. Thankfully it wiped right off and left no marks on the scope tube

 

[Choupique]

Likely loctite. I loctite my scope tubes and they look like that when they come out. Should clean up easily with alcohol.

 

[45-70guy]

Personally, I think LokTite has been overemphasized. I use it VERY sparingly. Not sure I have ever used it on any bases or rings and never had a problem. I hunt hard and often in quite variable conditions. But admittedly I'm not a range freak either so my guns don't get shot a lot.

A drop or two is all that’s needed, though I have had times where the stuff runs right out and makes a mess and covers the whole screw.
With that said 1-2 drops and a correct torque setting I’ve never had anything come loose.

 

[Philip Glass]

I have a question about a scope I removed this weekend so I could take the rifle to have a custom stock made for it. The Leupold VX 3HD scope was mounted by me about 18 months ago and the rifle has only been out to the range one time to sight in the scope, other than that it has been in my humidity controlled gun safe the entire time. When I took the top scope ring off to remove the scope I noticed that under each ring was a large amount of residue that looked like some type of salt corrosion (see pictures). I removed the scope and used a cleaning patch with a little cleaner and then a silicone cleaning cloth to wipe the residue which came right off and left no marks or corrosion on the scope tube. It also cleaned right off the Leupold rings used to mount the scope.

My question is, what do you think caused this gunk on the scope and rings? I've never seen it on any of my other scopes when removing them to replace with a different scope. I do however have several Leupold and Zeiss scopes that I've mounted over the past few years that I've never removed and wonder if they have similar gunk under the rings? These scopes have been mounted using my Wheeler mounting kit and I've been using the Wheeler supplied removable Loc-Tite type fluid to secure the mounting screws and wonder if that has something to do with it, although I only use one small drop on the screw threads when mounting and don't think there is enough fluid to squeeze out of the threads.

Thoughts?

View attachment 774070View attachment 774071

Loc tite I am guessing