I have a set of standard leupold rings with the rotating dovetail in the front
he dovetail has what I think too much wear
it turns too easily
any way to tighten this and how tight should it be??
thanks sydney

This one is easy

Call Leupold and they will replace it.

But if you want just turn the ring upside down and hit each ear with a punch or a ball peen hammer

But I recommend replacement

If there's a complete absence of movement, it's actually tight enough...but having said that, I like to feel a little resistance also.

Place a one inch rod in the bottom ring, Put the bottom of the dovetail against the hard jaw, clamp down against the rod with VIGOR. then with about an 8 lb maul smock the moveable jaw Either do this with a cheap vise, or a really good vise. You'll have easily tightened the dovetail.

They are too cheap to fool with; you know to never "seat" a ring in a base with the scope; I am sure. Use a dowell or I use a screwdriver handle.

quote:

you know to never "seat" a ring in a base with the scope; I am sure. Use a dowell or I use a screwdriver handle

But it give you fantastic leverage

I do have several Forster Screwdriver handles with a groove cut in them.

Well...note that Sydney mentioned "wear" I. e., old...i.e., taken apart a lot .Wear on both the ring dovetail and base would be a logical conclusion.
As long as you'r e going to have to take it apart anyway, you might as well spend the extra minute or two on an easy fix.

This same method can be used to tighten all manner of worn parts, even shotgun frames

This is what Duane is talking about. Make sure that you use a smooth jaw vise. In a heavy machine vise like this there is no need to THWACKETTA the live jaw. Medium tightening force will bring the ring back to tighter than hell. Years ago. I made a 1 inch and 30mm scope mounting bar like this for turn in style rings. The bar has a small hole drilled through its length and I put the gun in a vise and bore sight the barrel on the light post across the street. After I get the bar mounted I adjust the side by side adjustment of the rings while squinting through the hole. I mount the bar exactly as I would mount the scope and then rap the bar and rings a bit with a rawhide mallet to set everything. Then I remove the tops of the rings and mount the scope. Eazy peazy lemon squeazy.


leupold rings by Rod Henrickson, on Flickr

Thanks for the replies
Sydney