Pre-64 Model 70 and Weaver K4 - base and rings question

[pgidley]

Hey folks

I'm hoping this might be a common enough combo that someone will know the answer.
I've got a 1959 model 70 in .270 and a really nice condition Weaver k4 60B that seems like a perfect match for the rifle. The previous owner had it scoped with a Zeiss, and the leupold rings and bases are fairly high. It seems like I've got some extra room for lower mounts, but before I order some I thought I'd check. Will leupold low rings give me enough clearance with the old Weaver? The bases are the windage adjustable type.

Thanks!

 

[BrocLuno]

I like the build concept. And the two should look and work well together. But, not being a Leupold base person, I can't say on what you need ...

The objective bell on the Weaver is a fair bit smaller than the Zeiss that was taken off. So lower should be doable.

I'd prolly put a 1/4" neoprene cheek pad on the stock cause anything in the range of an 06 smacks my cheek bone. And then I'd look at optimum height fro rings. You could styrofoam block and tape the scope in place with your preferred cheek weld and then measure the rise needed... Leupold could prolly use that number to help find rings that match

But, you might want to ask this whole question in the Long Gun Sights forum just under this one ...

 

[PapaG]

Sounds like mine except for caliber. '52 M70, 30-06, steel K4. They belong together. I put big glass on once and couldn't stand the look.

 

[cdb1]

Low rings should work.

 

[earplug]

Get some low weavers.

 

[jmr40]

Low rings work with MOST scopes 40mm and smaller. Not a fan of windage adjustable mounts unless they are necessary to get the scope zeroed. On a rifle that old the odds of needing them do increase though.

 

[Laphroaig]

Low Leupold/Redfields will work. I'd try for some vintage ones (blued of course) because the new Leupolds have a big "L" embossed on top. For some reason that bothers me

I also learned on THR recently that Weaver makes dovetail compatible rings too.

 

[cdb1]

Low rings work with MOST scopes 40mm and smaller. Not a fan of windage adjustable mounts unless they are necessary to get the scope zeroed. On a rifle that old the odds of needing them do increase though.

Pretty much my experience. I like Warne and have them on all but one rifle. I've got a 30-30 that was drilled and tapped slightly to the left so didn't have enough windage adjustment to sight it in. Leupold Std with the coarse windage adjustment on the rear base solved the issue most ricky tik.

 

[pgidley]

OK it sounds like low rings are worth the shot. I agree on finding some vintage rings, I've been watching on eBay and when the right ones come up I'll try to grab them. The bases I have are the windage adjustable type, but when I had things sighted with the tall rings it didn't need much windage adjustment.

This rifle has got a lot of character, just the way I like. It'll probably be my main hunting rifle for the next while. It's seen a lot of hunts, and is on its second factory barrel (I have the original). The Weaver just feels right on it.

 

[Laphroaig]

I see that they still sell Redfield and Weaver rings that don't have the obnoxious "L" to my knowledge.

https://www.midwayusa.com/standard/br?cid=8586

They will most probably have torx screws however. And I'm not sure about how weaver measures their height but the numbers seem to be way different than what Redfield claims. But you still could get blued low Redfield's.

I'm in the process of switching rings and scopes on a couple of my rifles. I have a set of 1965 vintage low Redfield's that I'm planning to put on my M700. Some of the bluing is worn off the left side from carrying. I'd consider swapping them for a new set of those Redfields if you have your heart set on the vintage route. PM me if you are interested.

Edit: never mind. I just checked deeper and the low RF's are not available any more and the Weavers are aluminum.

 

[Offfhand]

Check ebay for older Leupold rings

 

[pgidley]

There's always a few on fleabay, I'll see if I can win an auction.