Will having a screw behind the scope mount of an air rifle cause a problem

[Ayaan Jakhura]

Hey guys,

I was having an issue with my air rifle (a Gamo Hunter 440) due to the scope coming further back on the rail and eventually the mount at the back coming off the rail. I have had this particular scope on for close to four years and have never experienced this issue before. A friend of mine said it had something to do with the double recoil of air rifles and the fact that it may be shot a lot. I have been shooting a lot since this whole quarantine fiasco and have put close to 1500 pellets through since about mid April. I re-positioned the scope and tightened it fairly tight but I found that it was slowly still coming back. The gun came with a screw at the back of the rail but somehow came off a few weeks after I mounted the scope. Today because of this issue with the scope coming off I found a screw which fit the hole and put a bolt on top of it so it sits high enough. I was wondering whether this could cause any issues in terms of the scope and the accuracy. And if so what can I do to fix this, someone suggested that it may damage the scope and I thought it may be a good idea to put some rubber in front of the screw.

The scope off the rail

The screw behind the scope (excuse the condition of the gun, it is quite old I think older than myself, probably close to twenty years which is fairly old for an air rifle. This used to be my uncles, which he gifted to me)

 

[Alistair]

That screw is the recoil arresting lug on the Gamo. Unlike a normal rifle, the recoil will move the scope back, not forward as the main shock is the impact of the piston hitting the front face of the cylinder at the end of travel.

I'd use the screw, threadlock it in place and then but the rear mount tight up against it. It should stay in place nicely!

Oh, and make sure you have a flat of the nut against the flat of the mount, saves denting the nut or marking the mount.

Al.

 

[BeeMaa]

Also because of this "reverse" recoil, you will want to make sure you have a proper scope.
I know Hawke makes air rifle specific models, but the pictures weren't clear which you had.
Just wanted to make sure you didn't damage a regular firearm scope on an air rifle.

 

[Ayaan Jakhura]

Also because of this "reverse" recoil, you will want to make sure you have a proper scope.
I know Hawke makes air rifle specific models, but the pictures weren't clear which you had.
Just wanted to make sure you didn't damage a regular firearm scope on an air rifle.

Yes a specific air rifle scope. Haven't damaged it as such.

 

[Chukar]

No good answer here, but please less hairy flesh in the pictures

 

[Shootist43]

Ayaan, do you have access to a FAT Wrench? It "might" just be that the rings were not tightened sufficiently. IMHO the post by Alistair probably holds the key to answering your question. Thread locking epoxies come in different strengths, I think low, or medium would be best for this application.

 

[Ayaan Jakhura]

No good answer here, but please less hairy flesh in the pictures

Lol sorry bout that

 

[Ayaan Jakhura]

Ayaan, do you have access to a FAT Wrench? It "might" just be that the rings were not tightened sufficiently. IMHO the post by Alistair probably holds the key to answering your question. Thread locking epoxies come in different strengths, I think low, or medium would be best for this application.

I can try to find one but not too sure.

 

[BeeMaa]

Loktite 222 is best suited to scope rings/mounts.
It cures in 10 minutes and is full strength in 24 hours.
It has a purple color to it and is considered low strength.

Combine this with the proper torque from a Wheeler Fat Wrench and you are good.