What is your go to base/ring set up when your mounting a scope. A scope mounting system that hold zero is more important to me than a setup that looks good. I like the look of the Redfield/Leupold system but if the Dual Dovetail is recommended for the heavier calibers than how solid is it anyway. I guess the answer is what are the bench rest guys using, the Warn rings? that's what I read. I used to use the Weaver steel strap type with the two screws on one side. They hold zero perfectly and very strong but they scratch the scope up and the of course it's hard to get the reticle vertical when you tighten the rings down and the scope rolls. I tried the new Weaver Qaudloks and they look like crap. If I'm trying to get a gun to shoot right I don't want the rings to be the reason it doesn't. What do you guys use? Thanks for your answer.
Scope rings
- Thread starter X-hunter
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Anything that does not use windage adjustments. They are the most difficult to mount, most likely to shoot loose and are ugly. But may be needed if the rifles mounting holes are drilled incorrectly.
The dual dovetails work well enough, but are more complex than needed and are difficult to get mounted correctly. But if done right are fairly solid and good looking, if not a bit heavy. It is critical to get anything with dovetails mounted straight, and it is easy to get it wrong. This puts a lot of stress on the scope.
Nothing really wrong with the Weavers you've been using including the quad lock versions. I guess for the ultimate in strength any of the steel mounts with a slot that fits into a Weaver style base or picatinney rail would be the way to go. I've never used them, but can understand why the Burris rings have a following.
I'm a hunter, not a target shooter and weight is a big factor. The Talley Lightweights at about 2.5 oz are my go-to mounts. Relatively inexpensive and very easy to mount. More than strong enough. The DNZ mounts would be a 2nd choice. Word is that they are pretty solid, rivaling the steel mounts designed for target shooters
The dual dovetails work well enough, but are more complex than needed and are difficult to get mounted correctly. But if done right are fairly solid and good looking, if not a bit heavy. It is critical to get anything with dovetails mounted straight, and it is easy to get it wrong. This puts a lot of stress on the scope.
Nothing really wrong with the Weavers you've been using including the quad lock versions. I guess for the ultimate in strength any of the steel mounts with a slot that fits into a Weaver style base or picatinney rail would be the way to go. I've never used them, but can understand why the Burris rings have a following.
I'm a hunter, not a target shooter and weight is a big factor. The Talley Lightweights at about 2.5 oz are my go-to mounts. Relatively inexpensive and very easy to mount. More than strong enough. The DNZ mounts would be a 2nd choice. Word is that they are pretty solid, rivaling the steel mounts designed for target shooters
Scope mounts and rings
There are a lot of really good rings and bases these days. You will get a lot of good suggestions. A lot will depend on what type scope and gun and where you will be hunting. Compact or full size scope. Bolt action, lever action, etc... Do you plan on hunting in grizzly country for extremely close range shooting when being able to remove the scope would be an advantage, assuming you have open sights.
Here are some we've used and still use mostly being carried on horseback often.
About as much constant vibration and jarring as you can come up with.
The old Redfield steel rings and bases that had the ring and base as one piece ( one rear piece and one front piece ) are some of the best, but they are no longer made. But can be diificult to get mounted with proper eye relief on compact scopes. If you can find used ones to fit your rifle, they are absolutely
trouble free in our usage.
Leupold STD mounts and rings 2 piece with reversible front mount, (30/06) (and others) with Leupold scopes ( compact and full size) . Never lost zero. We use these most often.
Griffin and Howe side mounts with quick release slide and levers. Used for several years in grizzly country. Very handy to remove and use open sights (especially when skinning and quartering game or traveling in thick brush). Used with a 2.5 x Lyman Alaskan. Never lost zero. (would return to within one inch when replacing scope.) Rifle should be sent to Griffin and Howe for installation.
I'm sure the Leupold dual dovetails are quite solid and possibly the Leupold quick release rings may be useful if you have open sights tall enough that the bases do not interfere. We haven't used either of those.
OYE
There are a lot of really good rings and bases these days. You will get a lot of good suggestions. A lot will depend on what type scope and gun and where you will be hunting. Compact or full size scope. Bolt action, lever action, etc... Do you plan on hunting in grizzly country for extremely close range shooting when being able to remove the scope would be an advantage, assuming you have open sights.
Here are some we've used and still use mostly being carried on horseback often.
About as much constant vibration and jarring as you can come up with.
The old Redfield steel rings and bases that had the ring and base as one piece ( one rear piece and one front piece ) are some of the best, but they are no longer made. But can be diificult to get mounted with proper eye relief on compact scopes. If you can find used ones to fit your rifle, they are absolutely
trouble free in our usage.
Leupold STD mounts and rings 2 piece with reversible front mount, (30/06) (and others) with Leupold scopes ( compact and full size) . Never lost zero. We use these most often.
Griffin and Howe side mounts with quick release slide and levers. Used for several years in grizzly country. Very handy to remove and use open sights (especially when skinning and quartering game or traveling in thick brush). Used with a 2.5 x Lyman Alaskan. Never lost zero. (would return to within one inch when replacing scope.) Rifle should be sent to Griffin and Howe for installation.
I'm sure the Leupold dual dovetails are quite solid and possibly the Leupold quick release rings may be useful if you have open sights tall enough that the bases do not interfere. We haven't used either of those.
OYE
Rings
I guess a better question would be what to stay away from. I guess the answer is windage adjustable. What I'm considering is a good quality detachable system so I can have a second scope zeroed in ready to attach in the event I take a digger while hunting or bang the gun hard enough to plant that seed of doubt. What I do now is grab another rifle if I'm close enough to home. When I travel any distanceI bring an extra rifle with me. Back up=peace of mind.
I guess a better question would be what to stay away from. I guess the answer is windage adjustable. What I'm considering is a good quality detachable system so I can have a second scope zeroed in ready to attach in the event I take a digger while hunting or bang the gun hard enough to plant that seed of doubt. What I do now is grab another rifle if I'm close enough to home. When I travel any distanceI bring an extra rifle with me. Back up=peace of mind.
The Leupold STD mounts are windage adjustable. So that theory went out the window, huh. So what to stay away from, it will depend on what you are going to do. What many use and recommend, I cannot use on horse back at all. But the same mounts many are using work fine for them their entire life. So there is no use arguing the point. It depends on how you will be using them. OYE
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urbaneruralite
Member
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2007
- Messages
- 473
If you were using the old Weaver design, mounting a scope with a DNZ mount will feel like the clouds parted and let the sun shine down on you. Look up DNZ Products.
OpticsPlanet
Member
DNZ makes fantastic mounts:
http://www.opticsplanet.com/dednutz-brand.html
Excellent high quality mounts.
Tim G.
http://www.opticsplanet.com/dednutz-brand.html
Excellent high quality mounts.
Tim G.
Omaha-BeenGlockin
Member
Leupold QRW rings are pretty much what I use exclusively anymore.
cdb1
Member
I'm partial to Warne.
Grumulkin
Member
Except for handguns, almost all I use are Warne bases/rings on everything from 17 HMR to 460 Weatherby Magnum.
Sav .250
Member
For me there are no "go to" base /ring sets.
Have used a lot of different makes over many years and never had a problem.
Never can figure out why some folks do!
Especially when there are tutorials on U-tube about the installation of rings and bases.
Have used a lot of different makes over many years and never had a problem.
Never can figure out why some folks do!
Especially when there are tutorials on U-tube about the installation of rings and bases.
RainDodger
Member
I've been mounting picatinny rails on most of my rifles now, and converting my scopes to Leupold QRW rings. They seem quite good at returning to zero.
I guess my single complaint about them would be the lever on the bases. They need to be as long as they are so that your fingers have some leverage, but they will occasionally catch on things. Even when you rotate them as far out of the way as you can, they'll still catch on straps, etc. Not a big deal if you're aware of it - maybe in a tactical environment it would be more of a bad thing.
I guess my single complaint about them would be the lever on the bases. They need to be as long as they are so that your fingers have some leverage, but they will occasionally catch on things. Even when you rotate them as far out of the way as you can, they'll still catch on straps, etc. Not a big deal if you're aware of it - maybe in a tactical environment it would be more of a bad thing.
Skylerbone
Member
TPS steel rings are my go-to, used to be Burris Zee rings, NOT the "tactical" rings or Warne rings. Their QRs do well at returning to zero especially if you clock the levers and return them to (relatively) the same position.
TPS also makes their rings in aluminum for the weight savers among us, come sized for Weaver rails and 1913 rails (2 distinct lines), easy to install, and they are built like tanks. I've eliminated all of my turn in rings as well as all Leupold QRW rings-which love to scratch scopes instantly.
TPS also makes their rings in aluminum for the weight savers among us, come sized for Weaver rails and 1913 rails (2 distinct lines), easy to install, and they are built like tanks. I've eliminated all of my turn in rings as well as all Leupold QRW rings-which love to scratch scopes instantly.
wild willy
Member
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- Aug 19, 2008
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- 634
I know its probably just me but I think those DNZ mounts are the ugliest mounts ever made.I"am sure they are fine.I just can't get past the looks of them
Cocked & Locked
Member
I agree with that. I put DNZ mounts on one rifle and they are ugly and bulky looking...nice and light though.
My favorites are still the standard Weaver detachable rings. I've never had any issues with them scratching the scope that the OP mentions. Plus, I've not found any systems that will mount the scope lower to the bore.
Burris Z-rings are also a favorite.
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