Question for Kelbly Panda owners with dovetail scope mounts

[Nature Boy]

I have one with the dovetail mount using Kelbly dovetail rings. I’m having trouble with the scope/rings assembly moving forward during recoil. I’ve torqued the screws to 45in/lbs and it’s still shifting forward.

The screws are staying tight, it just seems there’s not enough clamping force to make the scope stay put

Any tips of tricks?

 

[tmwinds]

I have the same setup on one of my rifles. I have not had this problem and mine are torqued less I think. This is on a 13.5 pound 6BR.

I would call Kelbly, their customer service is flawless and if there is a equipment problem they will make it right.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I wish they would dowel pin the rail near the front. I've not had any issues with a Panda specifically, using br cartridges but with a heavy scope and a bit more recoil, I can certainly see the potential.

I had a Stiller for several years and it was a bear to keep a NF BR from moving on. The hard anodized rail made it slick and tough for the rings to grip onto. For resale purposes, I didn't want to dowel it so I drilled and tapped the back side of the rear ring and installed a small ss screw and washer. The washer catches the back edge of the rail and it stopped scope slippage for me. The rings are on a different rifle now but I'll try to add a pic of it shortly. Solved the issue for me.

 

[Nature Boy]

Thanks. This is a 6BRA with a Kahles 1050 so not a heavy recoiling rig

 

[Bob Sebold]

Don't torque those rings that tight. Jim makes a piccatiny rail that will slide over the dovetail. It fits so tight its kind of a bitch to get on. Then get some different rings.

 

[farmerjohn]

Are you by chance using single screw rings?

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I had it on a scope checker, which made it easier to get a decent pic of. Here it is. I could've and should've moved the screw a few thou closer. I will next time.

 

[Nature Boy]

Are you by chance using single screw rings?

No, 4 screws hold each ring together and two holding each ring to the base

 

[Tim Singleton]

Matt Owens @arkcomatt makes a little claw that clamps on the rail in front of the ring to keep it from sliding
I’ll look for a pic

 

[farmerjohn]

What Tim said, it works, even with single screw....

 

[madmixerman]

A guy at Kelblys told me to tigthen the cross bolts tight
I tighten mine to 50 inch pounds and have no movement.

 

[Nature Boy]

Matt Owens @arkcomatt makes a little claw that clamps on the rail in front of the ring to keep it from sliding
I’ll look for a pic

The fact that such a thing exists means this must be a fairly common issue

 

[ShootDots]

ANSWER: Go to the Kelbly web-site. Look for the Picatinney rail that slides over the dovetail. I have it on two Pandas.. No troubles whatsoever.. As Old H.Ross Perot would have said: "Problem solved Larry"!

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

ANSWER: Go to the Kelbly web-site. Look for the Picatinney rail that slides over the dovetail. I have it on two Pandas.. No troubles whatsoever.. As Old H.Ross Perot would have said: "Problem solved Larry"!

Weigh can be an unsolved problem that results from such a fix.

 

[ShootDots]

Weigh can be an unsolved problem that results from such a fix.

I suppose it could... However, it is doubtful they weight more than 2-3 ounces.. They are 1 piece milled aluminum about 7" long. They can't weight more than a couple or three ounces..

 

[dogdude]

Does anyone know if there is an adapter for a Kelbly F-Class (Picc.) that will make it a dovetail...Kelbly's does not have one.

 

[SmokinJoe]

It appears that you are using the black anodized rings which have a hard, slick surface and no matter how you tighten them they will move from my experience. I would suggest bead blasting & painting with Duracoat or Ceracote, or go to a picatiny rail setup with Burris Signature Zee rings, the HD ones with 6 screws. Ain't nothin gonna move those and they are aluminum (for weight), I think.

 

[Nature Boy]

It appears that you are using the black anodized rings which have a hard, slick surface

That’s correct

 

[Thumper]

On all my Kelbly rings I cut a strip of yellow post it note paper, (not the adhesive part) one for the top ring and one for the bottom ring, the same width as the ring. I lightly moisten them with water to get them to stick to the ring surface and hold them in place. I place the scope in the rings with the moist paper in place overnight with nothing tightened, this helps them hold their shape. I then carefully mount the scope. The friction of the paper surface helps keep the scope from slipping and protects the scope finish. You will not get ring marks if you do this. The scopes have been a NF 15X55 and a Golden Eagle. The NF is shot on a 284 without any issue. The rings are bead blasted 4 screw models.

 

[Nature Boy]

On all my Kelbly rings I cut a strip of yellow post it note paper, (not the adhesive part) one for the top ring and one for the bottom ring, the same width as the ring. I lightly moisten them with water to get them to stick to the ring surface and hold them in place. I place the scope in the rings with the moist paper in place overnight with nothing tightened, this helps them hold their shape. I then carefully mount the scope. The friction of the paper surface helps keep the scope from slipping and protects the scope finish. You will not get ring marks if you do this. The scopes have been a NF 15X55 and a Golden Eagle. The NF is shot on a 284 without any issue. The rings are bead blasted 4 screw models.

That sounds like a good thing to try, however, my scope isn’t moving in the rings, the rings are moving on the action