Since my new GRT III trigger hasn't arrived yet and I won't shoot the rifle anymore until I get the new trigger, I decided to just spend some time remounting the scope on the rifle so it would be all set for when the tuna trigger gets here. When I first received the XL I was so eager to shoot the rifle I quickly slapped the scope on the rifle using the supplied scope mount and got to shooting. I had tightened all the mount screws down very tightly when I did this but I didn't clean the parts or use any blue loc-tite. I did a bunch of shooting with the rifle, doing chrony testing and site in and such and wound up putting a couple hundred pellets through the rifle.
I put the rifle in my gun cradle and went to loosen the mount screws so I could remove the scope. What I discovered was that while I didn't feel any movement in the mount base, both of the long screws that clamp the mount to the weaver base had loosened up quite a bit. I also found that 6 of the eight screws that clamp the top scope straps down had also loosened up quite a bit, to the point where I didn't even need the allen wrench to remove them. Again, I hadn't noticed any movement in the scope tube but the screws were very loose.
I disassembled all the parts to the mount and proceeded to clean every part and every surface with denatured alcohol just like I do with standard leapers dovetail scope mounts. While the screws and parts looked clean the denatured alcohol quickly revealed that the parts had a light film of oil and dirt on them, especially the screws and the threaded holes that the screws screw into. I also cleaned the scope tube. Once everything was squeaky clean I reassembled the scope mount and proceeded to mount the scope on the rifle using a good dose of blue loc-tite. My tuna trigger won't be here for a couple of days so I'll just let the rifle sit in the gun safe for a few days so the loc-tite can dry and cure thoroughly.
Those of you who have shot the XL know what a hard hitting, powerful rifle this is. We all know how great the weaver mounting rail system is for preventing scope movement but I figured I'd make this post just to remind folks how quickly the power of this rifle can loosen screws and mounts that haven't been properly cleaned and loc-tited during the scope installation process. I really cranked down on the mounting screws when I first installed the mount and scope but the fine film of oil and dirt on the parts combined with the power of the rifle quickly loosened them up. I was really amazed to find them so loose.
Now that I've installed the scope using the tried and true method I've always used I know my scope and mount will stay rock solid. Once that new Tuna trigger gets me and my XL are gonna be ready to go hunting
Jeff
