Alternatives to Period Leupold "Detacho" Rings?

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RPRNY

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I am not at all knowledgeable about optics and mounting systems, which will be apparent in this post. Virtually all of my shooting and hunting is done under 200yds and the "best" glass I have on a rifle is a Nikon Prostaff BDC 3x9. So, please be tolerant of my ignorance and speak to me as an optics neophyte.

I just picked up a time-warp M49 Persian Mauser Sporter which was accurately described as "put together by Bubba's older and wiser cousin, Buck, @ 1964". I love this type of period rifle and it is a great match to my M94 Swedish Mauser carbine sporter in Bishop stock, similarly a' la cousin Buck.

The rifle came with a Bushnell Scope Chief IV 2.5 - 8 attached. Granted, 50 year old technology, but it is in keeping with the rifle, is still in good working order and has the cool "command post reticle". I would like to keep it. The mounting system is also period. Leupold "Detacho" rings, mounted to unidentified mounts. I have never seen mounts like these. I will call them "rail" mounts in my ignorance in that they are smooth unlike Picatiny or Weaver mounts that have slots.

The problem is that with the geometry of the rings, mounts and rifle, the tightening levers cannot be made tight enough to secure the scope to the mounts and retain after fire. They become loose after every shot and, after 3 shots, if not tightened, the scope will fall off. Now, I stated I know nothing about optics, but I do know that ain't good.

So, I would like your suggestions on, preferably period correct but not necessarily, scope rings with screw or hex fastners that will work with these mounts. Your help much appreciated. Sorry for photo quality - looks like my phonecam lens could use a clean!


Scopemount1.jpg

Scopemount2.jpg
 
Just thinking out loud here, as I have no personal knowledge of how they work.

But how about if you take the screws out of the levers and move then on the bolt shaft splines so they will tighten enough before they hit the rifle receiver??

Looks like that might be an easy fix option.

rc
 
Good thinking. But the levers are inegral to the screw bolts - can't be removed - and the screw heads are remarkably soft metal - can't effectively be tightened. I have sent an email to Leupold asking if any current production Hex headed bolts will fit the Detacho model and, if so, whether I can purchase them.
 
But the levers are integral to the screw bolts
I gotta think the levers are splined onto the lock bolts and not one integral piece.

Or they wouldn't have bothered to put screws in them to hold them on.

Take one out of the ring, take the screw out, put the bolt in a clearance hole in a bench block, and knock it out with a punch. Then put it back on a few teeth off so it will tighten.

Thats why they made them that way, so they could be adjusted to clamp tight in the right place.

Otherwise, how bout putting some thin lock-washers or plain washers under them so they will tighten sooner, maybe??

rc
 
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I still think they come apart so you can adjust lever throw.
Thats why the cap-screws are there.

Maybe put a little heat on the lever before trying to knock them out in case someone lock-tighted them on or something.

rc
 
I would measure the bases first to see how wide they are. Then I'd throw the rings in the trash. :) I tried a set in the late '70s that wouldn't work. Heck, I wouldn't waste the time to diagnose them. They've sold NIB on ebay for $6.50.

www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Leupold-Detacho-Mount-1-Scope-Rings-New-Box-/110950866706

There are plenty of old Weaver, Leupold, Redfield, etc. rings for sale to maintain a '60s look.

John
 
Happy to scrap the rings, but no idea what to replace them with. Any specific suggestions most welcome.
 
I think I'd try another set of rings on those bases before spending any money on Weaver, Leupold or Redfield rings from the '70s. A local gun shop that mounts scopes could tell you quickly if the bases are standard size.

An inexpensive ring would be something like these from Weaver, although these are Low and I would want Medium height.

www.ebay.com/itm/1-Weaver-Rifle-Sco...977?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53ef0853f9

To me a lot of the current rings look about like the older ones. I'd shop price.

John
 
There's my problem. Those rings won't work. They're for a Weaver rail and have a cross piece. These bases have no indents for cross pieces. They are smooth. The closest thing I have ever come across are the rings that mount direct to the Sako Finnbear. But I have no idea if the size (width) is the same.
 
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I would still bet my booty those levers are removable, and adjustable on the shaft, to tighten in the right place, where you need them to tighten.

They would not be attached to the through-bolts with slotted cap screws to hold them on, if they can't be taken off and adjusted where they need to be adjusted to miss the receiver when tight!!

The removable levers were also necessary to make up for thread wear when the rings get old, like yours!!

Please LOOK AGAIN, closely!

rc
 
RC,

Your booty is safe. Bravo!

After soaking overnight in PB Blaster, and almost destroying the screw heads, I was able to get the screw caps off and re-align the splines to allow the levers to crank tighter. Thanks for your persistence on this line.

Won't have a chance to shoot it until after the hurricane (unless we have looters) but will report back. I also turned the front scope base around so that the rings are now stopped back and front. No more quick detach, but that's fine if they work.
 
RPRNY,

Did you get the period Leopold scope rings to work for you?

I have almost the identical setup on my M1903-A3. I've tried turning the bases, taking the levers completely off and used a 3/16" socket to tighten the rings as tight as they'll go, and I've still had them slip off after shooting. Granted they lasted more shots, but still in my book they're not good.

Hopefully you are still around here and can give me some insight,

Cheers,
shotgunn
 
Yes. On for three years now. The trick as RC pointed out is to readjust the levers to the splines on the tightening shafts. Once I did so, they tightened up and have stayed tight.
 
Well how bout them three year old apples!!

Errr? 30 year old Adjustable clamp levers!!

Thanks for the follow-up!!

rc
 
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