Got a call for from Vortex that they're sending me a replacement scope. They said I probably had the rings too tight. I said I use the Wheeler kit with the torque wrench and lapping rods. He asked if I use Locktite on the ring screws, and I said I use the compound in the kit. He said that Locktite can cause the screws to slip until they're dried causing them to torque to 25# instead of the recommended 15 to 18# so he said not to use Locktite on the ring screws. That doesn't make sense to me. Is this a thing?

Got a call for from Vortex that they're sending me a replacement scope. They said I probably had the rings too tight. I said I use the Wheeler kit with the torque wrench and lapping rods. He asked if I use Locktite on the ring screws, and I said I use the compound in the kit. He said that Locktite can cause the screws to slip until they're dried causing them to torque to 25# instead of the recommended 15 to 18# so he said not to use Locktite on the ring screws. That doesn't make sense to me. Is this a thing?

Makes perfect sense if you think about how a torque driver works.

The lubricant reduces friction.  Friction causes resistance to the torque driver.  More friction = higher torque required to continue tightening.  Less resistance = less torque required to continue tightening.

When you're tightening a dry screw (yeah, I know) against dry threads, there is friction.  The torque driver measures the force needed to continue moving the screw into the threaded hole or nut.

If you apply wet Locktite, it reduces the friction between the threads.  Therefore, you may be over tightening the rings in order to get the torque driver to register the right amount of force.

If you can see the pointy end of the screw, maybe try applying Locktite there after it's tightened to the correct torque.

Geiselle doesn't recommend use of LocTite on their mounts and rings.
If you absolutely must - put the LocTite on the screws, let them dry then torque. As mentioned torque values change when the threads are wet and when they are dry

Problem with a lot of torque wrenches is that they're not very accurate.  But normally err on the side of being less tight than more tight to avoid damage.   The loctite theory makes sense.  If you torque according to specs, there should be no need for loctite.  If you use it, I would use it on the rail mount to the gun, not on the rings.

Makes perfect sense if you think about how a torque driver works.

The lubricant reduces friction.  Friction causes resistance to the torque driver.  More friction = higher torque required to continue tightening.  Less resistance = less torque required to continue tightening.

When you're tightening a dry screw (yeah, I know) against dry threads, there is friction.  The torque driver measures the force needed to continue moving the screw into the threaded hole or nut.

If you apply wet Locktite, it reduces the friction between the threads.  Therefore, you may be over tightening the rings in order to get the torque driver to register the right amount of force.

If you can see the pointy end of the screw, maybe try applying Locktite there after it's tightened to the correct torque.

In my past days of working on engines, ran across torque values for dry and for oiled threads for just the reasons you stated.  Applying dry torque values to oiled threads will result in too much bolt/screw stretch.

Did not use it, but my Glock night sites came with a small vial of green locktite that apparently is designed to creep into assembled threaded parts.  Dunno what # stuff that is or how well it works.  Avoid locktite on small parts that might strip the heads out undoing it later.

Thanks everyone. I subsequently pulled out the Wheeler kit instructions and the only mention of the included "removable thread-locking compound" is that it acts as a lubricant and the lubricated torque is 18-20# which is more than Vortex's 15-18# requirement. The stated FAT wrench accuracy is +/-2# up to 40#. I guess I'll go through my rifle scopes and back off the torque to 15# just in case and just apply the compound to the outside like FJ suggested.

Good thread. Practical apps.