Scope rings and bases

[pburton]

I am looking for scope rings and bases for my rifle. I am just not sure what are good rings and what are not. There are soo many out there these days. In the past I have used Leupold dovetail rings and bases. They have work pretty good. Is there something out there better for the money? This is where I need your help. They will be going on a semi-custom Win Model 70 long action. They need to be 30mm rings. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[WildRose]

For the price it's hard to beat the EGW picatinny rails. In fact for the money I don't think they can be beat.

I've tried lots of rings from weaver tactical to badger, to leupold Mk IV to the TPS-TSR and TPS-TSRW's and I really am extremely happy with the TSR's.

TSR Scope Rings

Great quality for an exceptionally reasonable price.

What caliber rifle are they going on?

On any of the big magnums it's not a bad idea to have your smith drill an extra hole through the rail into the reciever to pin it in place to ensure it can never shear off. It's also not a bad idea to have him put 8-40 screws in, instead of 6-40's for again a little added strength.

A LR rifle scope can weigh in excess of 2 lbs depending on the brand and model and with that much weight sitting on top of a big magnum the added strength is anything but a waste. It has never happened to me but I have seen a couple of scopes shear off and man watching your 1,000.00 plus optic go flying into the rocks is a very ugly thing to have to go through.

 

[pburton]

WildRose- I appreciate the response. I will look into those. I am not familiar with either. The rifle is a 7mm Rem Mag that has the recoil of a .243. The scope thats going on it is a Vortex Viper HS LR. So the weight of the scope should not be a factor I wouldn't think.

 

[johnnyk]

PB,
In the past I have also used the Leupold Dual Dovetail rings/bases. They look nice but don't however, let the rifleman employ much MOA for LR shooting.
I now use Leupold STD bases and Burris Signature rings with inserts on most of my rifles. Leupold makes a Long Range version (with MOA milled in) of this base for Remington and Savage rifles and Wincester short actions. I couldn't find one for the M70 LA though.
The rings; $61.99 (Midway # 16558 - Burris 30mm Signature STD Rings Matte High) and bases; $25.99 (#103959 - Leupold 1-piece STD scope base Win M70 LA Matte) together are priced lower than most picatinny rings!
I use these on Savages, Remingtons and Winchesters from .300WInMag down to .243Win and haven't had any scopes come off. Then again I don't jump out of Humvee's and tank's. Good luck in your decision. JohnnyK.

 

[TZS Gunfire]

PB,

Everyone here has a good suggestion for you. I have a TPS one piece 20 MOA base that I purchased from SWFA for $65 which included shipping which i like as well as TPS 30mm rings. There are a whole bunch of stuff out there from Burris, Luepold, Nightforce,Badger Ordinance, Blackhawk etc. It all depends on how much $$$$ you want to spend and quality you are looking for. My own preference that i like are one piece bases and as far as rings go, i like them with at least 4 torx screws per ring. Enjoy what you get and then you can see what you like and dont like and go from there.gun)

 

[pburton]

I appreciate all the input. I still have not decided what rings and base I am going to go with. But, I still have time since my rifle will be at the gunsmiths for another couple weeks getting finnished up. I do like the idea of the picatinny rail. I looks like it will give some flexability with mounting the scope. Thanks again.

Paul

 

[WildRose]

I appreciate all the input. I still have not decided what rings and base I am going to go with. But, I still have time since my rifle will be at the gunsmiths for another couple weeks getting finnished up. I do like the idea of the picatinny rail. I looks like it will give some flexability with mounting the scope. Thanks again.

Paul

The rail mounts also help to stiffen the action by taking some of the flex out of the top vs individual ring mounts on front and back.

 

[C.O. Shooter]

I went with Badger Ordnance 20 moa base and there 30mm .885 rings for my build! They seem to be a few more dollars than other brands, however, I have had really good luck with there products in the past! There are a lot of brands out there, just do a search and or listen to what others say they are using. The only base I ever heard negative things about were the EGW. Good luck and post some pics.

 

[6XCShooter]

I was under the impressing that if I utilized a one peice base (20moa or standard Leupy)that it likely would need to be bedded to the top of the reciever. Otherwise when I tightened the base down it would put unwanted torque on the reciever.

Most of my hunting rigs have the two piece Leupy bases with dove tail rings, lapped. I also have two "longer range" rigs with 30mm tubes mounted on 20moa bases -bedded.

I did all of this because I was told this was the way the big boys in the benchrest world did it?

My experience firing 1000s of rounds with the methods mentioned above ... from .223 to .300 Wby Mag ... no problems. I think so long as you get a quality set of bases and rings (as mentioned by previous posts) you should be fine.

Good Luck and Good shooting!

 

[Hookturnr]

+2 on the EGW bases, my 300 RUM and 280AI both wear 'em and the glass is clamped in with Warne Permanent steel rings. NEVER a problem and total mounting system for around $70. Might not be as sexy as others but they just plain work.

 

[WildRose]

+2 on the EGW bases, my 300 RUM and 280AI both wear 'em and the glass is clamped in with Warne Permanent steel rings. NEVER a problem and total mounting system for around $70. Might not be as sexy as others but they just plain work.

I've got bot NF and EGW rails for my rifles.

No problem with either. I only bought the NF's because they were on sale and honestly at regular prices I simply don't see paying the extra for the NF's.

As for rings I've tried just about all of them and for the money or even quite a bit more I don't think you can beat the TPS-TSR or TSRW's.

 

[dieselboy427]

Near Mfg rail and badger ord. or Seekins rings. Unless you know someone cooler than me and can get D.D.Ross rings.

 

[pburton]

diesel- I appreciate the input. Near Mfg rails look like great rails but, a little to rich for my wallet. They are about twice much as I want to spend at this time. I'm more in the the price range of $150 for the rail and rings. You have to understand that my wife is going to kill me if I spend a whole lot more money on this rifle. And I still have to purchace my scope.

 

[WildRose]

diesel- I appreciate the input. Near Mfg rails look like great rails but, a little to rich for my wallet. They are about twice much as I want to spend at this time. I'm more in the the price range of $150 for the rail and rings. You have to understand that my wife is going to kill me if I spend a whole lot more money on this rifle. And I still have to purchace my scope.

EGW and TSR then. You and the wife will both be a lot happier.gun)

What size tube does your scope have on it? I've got all kinds of spare used rings around and all are very high quality.