Steel rings on an aluminum rail/base

[Greg Koziol]

wondering if its ok to use steel rings on an aluminum rail. I want to buy the Warne maxima QD rings for an aimpont for my marlin 1895 .45-70 which has an aluminum picatinny rail on it. With the loads I shoot it has more recoil than any 12 gauge shotgun, i'm wondering if the steel ring will ruin the aluminum rail from the recoil.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Is it ok to mount an aluminum base to a steel gun?

Of course it is, so mount away. If your mounts/rings work loose you'll ruin stuff no matter the material

 

[MCMXI]

Greg,
Two of my Marlins (.45-70 Govt.) have Warne Maxima QD rings securing 1.5-5X Leupold optics on XS Lever Rails. I recently removed one of the scopes (after a hundred rounds or so) and there isn't any damage to the aluminum rail. The Warne rings in question have a stainless recoil "lug" that pushes against the front face of each notch in the Picatinny rail. Not only does this prevent the scope from moving forward under recoil, it also helps to distribute recoil energy over a larger surface on the rail. Also, since the rings are secured on the rail using throw levers, there's possibly less chance of over tightening and damaging the rail.

 

[Greg Koziol]

1858, thanks a lot. looks likei'll be keeping those warne rings on my wish list

 

[MCMXI]

No problem ... and I forgot to mention ... I'm shooting 405gr bullets at around 1,800 fps so there's plenty of recoil to deal with.

 

[Greg Koziol]

always nice to meet a fellow .45-70 enthusiast lol. are they handloads? i just bought a box of buffalo bore 405 grains which are 2000fps for bear and deer hunting this fall... thas why i was a bit worried about the recoil and damage ..I still have to sight them in with my new iron sights... how do you like the warne rings? are you satisfied with them? do they retain zero pretty well after you take them on and off? Leupold makes QD rings almost identical to the warne maxima rings, though i'm not sure if the leupold rings have the stainless steel recoil lug... but price is about the same. Aimpoint discountinued their 2x compc3 with the 1 moa dot, that would be cool for 100-200 yard work, aimpoint should make a 2x version where you can screw the magnifying component on and off, that would be pretty cool. I think a 2moa 1x aimpoint would be perfect for a .45-70 rifle. QD rings I can take it off quick if I need to use irons, or if something happens to it, or for easy storage. what do you think?

 

[MCMXI]

I've only shot handloads through my 1895s. I've been shooting Remington's 405gr JSP with VihtaVuori N130 powder but recently bought some Oregon Trail Laser-Cast 405gr bullets to try with N120 powder. I have no complaints re the Warne rings. They're very solid and do a great job of maintaining zero with the XS Lever Rail. They are on the heavy side and that would be my only complaint. I've been thinking about an Aimpoint CompML3 with a 2MOA dot form my new 1895SBL so I think you have a good plan.

 

[Greg Koziol]

I think aimpoints are the way to go for .45-70's in my opinion, on a forward mount, nothing can beat it... better than a scope in my opinion. The .45-70 for my use which is 200 yards and under shots... since I live in New york and most of the hunting is done in thick woods.. red dot is the way to go.