Scope base question

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Wing Rider

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I am sure this has been asked before but I can't find it. I have a 2002Winchester model 70 in 270. Changing the scope. Currently have a 2 piece base on gun. Looking at 1 piece base. So which base is better 1 piece or 2 piece?
Thanks
 
Neither is really better than the other in IMO though a one piece is more versatile. I prefer the look of two piece bases but went over to the dark side a few years ago. With a one piece picatinny you can mount ANY scope and mount it as far forward or back on a rifle as you want. If you ever have to shim a one piece stays on the same plane but a two piece if shimmed will have one base higher/lower than the other and bind the scope.
 
1 piece, use JB weld, epoxy or whatever, and bed it to the receiver. What you really want to look at is what you are doing with teh rifle. If you are hunting 0m to 400m only, a flat base is fine. If you are shooting LR then you might want a 15MOA slanted base to extend your scope's range.
 
Great information. The 1 piece seems more versatile (rigid but flexible :)) than the 2 piece. This is exactly what I was thinking but wasn't sure. Since I am having problems with my current scope (can't get it mounted inline with the barrel), I am ordering a new scope and rings so I thought now would be the time to switch the base as well. Thanks again for the info.
 
If you're talking about using old school mounts with a dovetail in the front and windage adjustments in the rear I'd not touch either of them with a 10' pole. Those were designed for rifles manufactured 75-100 years ago that often had the mounting holes drilled incorrectly due to the technology of the day. They allow you to get the scope mounted directly in line with the barrel even though the mounting holes may not be. On a modern rifle they aren't needed and there are far better options available today. But lots of folks still use them simply because that was what grandpa used without realizing there was a good reason why grandpa needed them. We don't need em.

A one piece base does nothing to stiffen the action, but in some cases are a good option. If you want to mount a Picatinney rail and use rings with a cross slot that is a viable option that gives you more options for scope position. This is my choice for a target/tactial type rifle.

But on a hunting rifle I prefer 2 piece bases and the Talley Lightweights are at the top of my list. They are not only about 1/4 lb lighter than old school windage adjustable mounts, but they are stronger. Using 2 pieces keeps the ejection/loading port open and more accessible for loading or clearing jams and cleaning. There is nothing at all wrong with the 2 piece Weaver, or Weaver style bases with cross slots. Even the Weaver rings are functional, if not utilitarian looking. I like the Burris Zee rings better and they are my 2nd choice behind Talley.

The DNZ rings are available now in one or 2 piece. Nothing wrong with either of them, I just like the looks of Talley or Burris better.
 
If you're talking about using old school mounts with a dovetail in the front and windage adjustments in the rear I'd not touch either of them with a 10' pole. Those were designed for rifles manufactured 75-100 years ago that often had the mounting holes drilled incorrectly due to the technology of the day. They allow you to get the scope mounted directly in line with the barrel even though the mounting holes may not be. On a modern rifle they aren't needed and there are far better options available today.

I’m going to have to disagree with you. From 2014-2016 I mounted 20-30 scopes a week, on new an used rifles. New rifles were more prone to having base holes drilled off center than older rifles. The worst culprits were RAR’e, 783’s and Axis. The only windage adjustment mounts we carried were Leupold STD’s and I mounted many many scopes using the STD system. Many people crap on the Leupold STD system but I never had one come back as far as I can remember. They aren’t better than the Burris and other windage adjustable mounts and if they are worse it it’s not by much margin.
 
Pro's and con's to both . If you use a 2 piece you need to ream the 2 rings together which most people won't do . Brownells sell the reamer . The advantage of the one piece is the 2 bores are perfectly in line ( line bored ) . This was explained to me by a gunsmith with many decades of experience . I asked him why the scope mounts I made ( one piece ) never lost zero and the 2 piece mounts were off slightly every year I checked zero . Not off by much but some . And that's what he told me . Also , if you ream the 2 piece , the rings will leave no marks . Not to mention what it does to the scope with the bind it puts the scope in if you don't ream . It made sense to me .
 
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