QD vs standard rings for accuracy
- Thread starter mainecoon
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The good ones are going to go back very close to POI, assuming they are mounted in the same spot each time. Just note the settings on the scope from rifle to rifle. And buy a good scope that can handle repeated adjusting.
cdb1
Member
Good QD rings are not a compromise.
Jackal
Member
I've never seen the point of Q/D scope mounts. I see literally zero reason to remove your optic all the time. Swapping a scope between rifles is going to be a pain in the arse, constantly rezeroing the optic. If you do need to remove it for some reason, how hard is it to use screwdriver/wrench? Then again, I prefer lightweight mounts, so Aero Precision is kind of the only option for me.
cdb1
Member
I don't think QD's are bad at all on a rifle with open sights. Also if you are hunting far from home and have a scope fail then there is a good reason for them. If you bring another scope in QD rings and have it sighted in then you can continue your hunt with no muss and no fuss.
QDs aren't just for swapping scopes between rifles. Most people I know using them do so for the reasons stated above.
QDs aren't just for swapping scopes between rifles. Most people I know using them do so for the reasons stated above.
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If you have one match rifle (rim or center fire) and want to use it in both scope and metallic sight matches, Weaver's QD rings and bases have proved repeatable to 1/4 MOA alignment at worst when switching sights. That's as close as one can get with the best hardware and ammo on this planet. All the popular rails are based on the Weaver QD system. First rail I had was made long before the A.R.M.S. company in the early 1980's copied a California gunsmith's design used in the 1970's for mine. The arsenal modified A.R.M.'s design. Competitive shooters have been switching sights on the same rifle for decades.
I've known hunters using irons when in the woods where a long range shot is 100 yards then switching to a scope when on the prairie where a close shot is 150 yards.
And don't people doing that usually soak their arse frequently in liquid anesthetic such as novacane or lanacane numbing its nerves so it's not a pain there at all? They carry a quart bottle of it and a sponge in their kit.
Oh, no they don't. They hold onto and operate stuff to do it with their hands; not pinching their back side cheeks together holding tools and rifles with scopes. Their arse is not part of the job.
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Stubert
Member
I have a model 70 Alaskan in .375 H&H with Leupold QR rings for longer shots. Remove the scope for use with the irons when up close.
Berger.Fan222
Member
Been using Leupold QD Weaver rings (steel) for a long time now. I don't think I've done quantitative testing as some have mentioned above, but I've never detected a problem or inaccuracy. I trust them as much as standard rings. Steel base, Leupold QD Weaver rings, and Leupold scope are a very reliable combination. Not sure I needed to, but I do have 3-4 rings on some heavier recoiling rifles (45 and up). 2 rings has been plenty up to and including .300 Win Mag.
QD rings are just fine. But 1 scope shared between 2 rifles is not a good idea. I've tried having 2 very different scopes zeroed for 1 rifle and that can make some sense. Having one in a 1-4X20 for close range work and a larger heavier 4-12X44 for longer range shooting is a possibility. Or having 2 identical scopes zeroed for the same rifle as a backup. Some guys like the idea of removing a scope and using irons as a back up I've tried all the above and it can work.
But on the other hand I've come to the conclusion that it is better to just buy a quality scope and just go with it. I've NEVER had a quality scope fail. Some budget scopes yes, and I've actually had more iron sights fail than budget scopes. Never a good scope.
But on the other hand I've come to the conclusion that it is better to just buy a quality scope and just go with it. I've NEVER had a quality scope fail. Some budget scopes yes, and I've actually had more iron sights fail than budget scopes. Never a good scope.
cdb1
Member
I've only hunted out of state once. One place I hunt is a seven hour drive and another is five hours. I don't swap scopes on rifles. I do have three rifles I hunt with 90% of the time. There is a backup scope for all three rifles in QD rings. Most of the time I hunt on my property where I live but would hate to be seven hours from home and not be able to hunt because of a scope. I've only ever had one bad scope, a new VX-3 which Leupld replaced most rikki tik but it can and does happen.
Sav .250
Member
They are just one part of the equation.
imashooter
Member
I have 3 sets of QD - style mounts. All are just fine in maintaining zero after removal / install. As long as I initially (and during reinstall) have them forward-most in the rail slots and the QD properly tensioned, all is well.
FL-NC
Member
Larue rings are the best QD rigs IMO, but you will have a different zero when its placed on a different rifle. Even if it is the same model and caliber, barrel length, etc. Want to make sure you understand that.
imashooter
Member
Which is just another great reason to add to the herd.
Grumulkin
Member
I've used a variety of QD rings even on a 460 Weatherby Magnum with good results.
1. There is no accuracy compromise.
2. It's handy to remove the scope when traveling by air as rifles can then be packed in smaller cases. Also, in case of a bump, there is less stress on a scope.
3. I have had premium scopes break.
4. With the number of Encore, Contender and Blaser barrels I have I would hate to have a scope mounted on each one all the time. When I switch barrels, I can then switch scopes though obviously a new sight in will be needed.
5. In some situations, iron sights are preferable to an optic.
Most of my QD rings are by Blaser or Warne.
1. There is no accuracy compromise.
2. It's handy to remove the scope when traveling by air as rifles can then be packed in smaller cases. Also, in case of a bump, there is less stress on a scope.
3. I have had premium scopes break.
4. With the number of Encore, Contender and Blaser barrels I have I would hate to have a scope mounted on each one all the time. When I switch barrels, I can then switch scopes though obviously a new sight in will be needed.
5. In some situations, iron sights are preferable to an optic.
Most of my QD rings are by Blaser or Warne.
I was under the impression QD rings were also good for combat situations. If your scope takes a hit or gets damaged you can quickly remove it and use your iron backup sights. If the scope lens is fine you could co-witness, but if the lens is jacked, you'd have to remove the scope. So, in this case it would be more of a once in a time thing, not usual on and off.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
I'm a big believer in Warne Maxima QD rings and see no reason NOT to use them.
cdb1
Member
Me too.
RainDodger
Member
I use Leupold quick release rings on the majority of my rifles, including a number of ARs - on those ARs I have a riser to get the scope up high enough. Yep, it would a pain to move a scope to a different rifle and have to sight it in, but it DOES allow that to be done should you need or want to. On my rifles that have dedicated factory mounts and no rail, like the Sako or Browning B78, I use the factory rings and would not consider moving those scopes. When I have moved a scope to try a new rifle before buying new optics for it, I have recorded the windage and elevation setting, moved the scope and done my testing, then moved it back to the original rifle. After setting the windage and elevation to the original settings, in each case the scope was very close to where it was supposed to be. These are not inexpensive scopes however, so I expect them to be able to get back close to a previous setting. Your mileage is gonna vary, but I think today's quick release rings are pretty nice. The only nitpicky thing I have about the Leupold QRW rings - they have that sharp little lever that can catch on things. Doesn't impact my uses of the rifles though.
FL-NC
Member
Yes, that is 1 application. Especially significant if you have an optic that DOESN"T co-witness, like a 4x ACOG, and it is damaged. Also with mounts like those made by Larue, they return to zero better than anything else I've seen. Based on this capability, we replaced all of our stock mounts with Larue mounts. We were typically issued 3-4 different optics per man, which we could change depending on mission. I typically kept a 4x ACOG mounted on my M4 in the truck, but carried my M68 aimpoint in my backpack. There were a few occasions when we were out in the field and I (and others) took off the ACOG and mounted the aimpoint because requirements changed and we needed to do a hasty "house cleaning" operation that was unplanned prior to leaving the wire. The Larue mounts gave us the confidence that we could do this and not worry about radical zero shift.
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