Kimber Montana mount and scope help needed

[R H Clark]

Well, basically I got a wild hair and bought a Kahles 3-10X50 Helia CL. I don't have a rifle to mount it on so I thought I might try it out on my Kimber Montana 7mm-08 just to see how the weight and balance changed, and to see how I like the extra magnification and 4A reticle.

I had a Kahles AH 2-7X36 mounted in medium Burris Signature Zee rings on the rifle originally. I just bought the rifle and wanted to explore my options. I needed Medium rings because of the large ocular. Here is my old set up.



Just for laughs, I mounted the new 50mm in the same rings. Weight difference is 2 oz.



It is tight but not touching. A single thickness of copy paper slides easily. Two thicknesses will slide but I feel some drag. Three thicknesses won't go without tearing.


I don't even know if this is a safe amount. I kind of doubt it. Rings are tight.

Now to the questions.
1.What height Talley lightweights do I need and still be as low as possible if I want to negate the 2 OZ?

2. With low as possible in mind, Would I get a safe amount of clearance by using the Burris shim kit to increase height?


I like the Burris mounts to eliminate ring marks, and 2 oz isn't a big deal to me. I might wind up scrapping the whole idea but I would like to shoot it first before I decide.

 

[elkhunterCO]

When I was shopping for Tallys, I read that medium would work with a 50 mm objective, and that low was for a 40 objective. I bought the mediums for my scope, (a Leupold 3x9x40) because they were sold out of the lows and there is about 3/8 inch clearance with a 40 mm objective on a model 70. (definitely a quarter inch more than I like)

 

[jmr40]

I think what you have will work. If you want to change Talley's mediums should give you more clearance. I don't think Talley lows would work at all.

 

[Art Eatman]

I've never had any problems from that sort of clearance between scope and barrel. As long as you can see daylight, you're good to go.

A possible drawback to going any higher with a change in the mounting could be cheek weld and overall fit of the rifle to a proper sighting position.

Close your eyes and mount the rifle to your shoulder. When you open your eyes, you should be looking right through the cross hairs without moving your head at all.

 

[R H Clark]

Mr. Eatman

Thanks for the input. Your mounting practice of closing your eyes and opening them after shouldering the rifle has been my practice as well. I've never had one turn out this close, thus my concern. I also like all scopes as low as possible, just never had one the thickness of two sheets of copy paper close.LOL

 

[Outlaw Man]

I agree with Art. If the scope is lining up with your eye, don't mess with it. Since the scope isn't touching, there should be no ill effects.

Brag to your friends on how you found the perfect setup. There might be ill effects of that, depending on how good your friends are.

 

[Haxby]

Could go with aluminum rings.
Vortex Viper mediums are probably about .1" higher than the Burris mediums.