1-piece vs. 2-piece scope base for hunting/SHTF rifle?

[Mulliga]

What kind of bases do you guys recommend? I have the Leupold VX-I 3-9x40mm scope and the Rem. 700 Mountain, and I'm itching to mount my glass on it .

Specifically:

Does a 1-piece base improve/degrade accuracy compared to a 2-piece base?

Is a 1-piece base more durable/less complicated than a 2-piece base?

Is a 2-piece base really superior in terms of access to the rifle compared to a 1-piece?

Thansk in advance.

 

[WalkerTexasRanger]

No strength is added to the action with a one-piece base. I would highly recommend Leupold's QRW rings and bases. They are affordable yet provide a solid mounting. Not to mention it is a snap to move a scope between similar rifles, i.e. one Rem 700 to another. I have four Rem 700s with them and they work great. Best prices I have seen on these are over at www.competitionshootingsports.com

Good Shooting!!

 

[Delmar]

Po-tay-to, Po-tah-to. Doesn't really matter, so long as you buy quality parts. Thats the big issue. I wanted the most simple, goof proof set up I could find for my 700 VS.
I bought Leupold's dual dovetail setup with the two piece base.
In addition to being able to check the scope base screws without having to take the scope off, I find it a bit easier to load the mag with two piece, but to others, it probably makes no difference.

If you choose to go that way, I have found that it pays to check the ring alignment, because you will not be able to move the rear ring side to side like a Redfield set up. I put the rings up and tightened them most of the way-my collimator showed it would take a bunch of windage to bring it to zero, so I swapped the rings front to back and it lined up with 4-6 clicks IIRC.

 

[Art Eatman]

I don't see where the one-piece base does anything but add weight. You wind up with three screws in shear, instead of four--although the force due to recoil isn't all that much. Some folks have spoken of some stiffening of the receiver, but three 6x48 screws aren't gonna do much for that hunk of steel, anyway...

Since I've never had problems with two-piece bases, I've just stayed with what works for me.

Art

 

[Mulliga]

Well, I read in the Midway USA catalog that one-piece bases are heavy and less trong, so I'm definitely going 2-piece. Thanks all.

 

[ocabj]

I'm partial to one-piece bases myself. I like the better scope positioning (can move rings forwards and backwards as needed) and you get better scope alignment which helps to ensure your scope won't be damaged due to binding or flexing. And if you plan on doing any long range shooting ie 600yds+ and you need to shim your base, the one-piece will allow this without causing a severe flex in the scope alignment (and any worries about stress in the base that may occur due to shimming can be alleviated through minor lapping). Though, shimming for long range isn't much of an issue anymore since one-piece bases can be had with 20moa tapers.

But I digress, since the original poster states this is for hunting purposes. You won't have any problems with the two-piece for your application.