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I'm contemplating a rifle that can shoot to a thousand yards. It's been a whopping long time since I've bought scope rings for a boltie, so I wanted to get some input on brands and models, especially considering a precision/tactical type of rifle.

Cartridge is 6.5 CM so recoil is mild, Scope is the Primary Arms 3-18 Apollo whose ACSS reticle is designed for a 140 grain 6.5 CM. Tube is 30mm, bell is 50mm +-. Still deciding on the actual riflels, top contenders are something in the Savage 110 Tactical series and the Tikka tactical, but that's another thread :).

Both rifles have picatinny rails mounted to the receiver. Thoughts on if I should go with those as the base or would it be better to remove the rail and go with different bases or would it even make a difference?

Also, any reason to go with steel over aluminum rings or vice versa? Weight isn't a huge factor. Steel should be stronger, more rigid less likely to strip, but I figure aluminum rings would expand and contract with temperature changes the same as the scope tube. Does is make an difference? Yup, overthinking things as always...
 
Here's my .308 Tikka T3xCTR with a Leupold VX-3iLRP

30mm tube, 50mm objective

OEM pic-rail mount.

Badger Ordinance 20MOA one-piece scope base, but their "standard" rings are amazing as well.

Have gotten 1/4" MOA (or better) at 1000-yds. with it.

5207A496-4379-487A-B685-4D4B9ACB5C29.jpeg
 
Last Edited:
Here's my .308 Tikka T3xCTR with a Leupold VX-3iLRP

30mm tube, 50mm objective

OEM pic-rail mount.

Badger Ordinance 20MOA one-piece scope base, but their "standard" rings are amazing as well.

Have gotten 1/4" MOA (or better) at 1000-yds. with it.

View attachment 743497

Curious, seeing as how that is one of the two platforms at the top of my list - is the stainless barrel for easier cleaning, or is it considered more accurate? Obviously, with half MOA groups the 20" barrel isn't lacking in the accuracy dept!
 
I got the SS for "ease" of maintenance, plus I've never had a SS rifle before.

As for accuracy potential.... you tell me. ;)


Hot barrel, last three shots of the day before we packed up our gear. @DB is Here witnessed me shoot that group.

7E9B80E1-3751-4B6B-8293-0D10D9B56948.jpeg
 
Any reason you haven't considered a 1 piece mount? They're kinda spendy but there's nothing to mess up alignment wise and they don't need lapping either. I run a spuhr mount and it is rock solid, plus it comes with a little tool that automatically levels the scope inside of it.
 
Any reason you haven't considered a 1 piece mount? They're kinda spendy but there's nothing to mess up alignment wise and they don't need lapping either. I run a spuhr mount and it is rock solid, plus it comes with a little tool that automatically levels the scope inside of it.

That's kind of what this thread is all about - learning what my options are. Actually just read about Spuhr just today. Great system, but it's probably not in my budget, which is $200ish, but if I can do it for less then that's room for more ammo.

I've focused more on rings since generally I want to keep the scope as low as possible and most of the mounts I've seen that combine the base and ring are F marked sight height, and both rifles already have pic rails attached. With rings I have more flexibility on height.

What I'm looking for at the end of the day is a rock solid mount that places the scope as close to the barrel as possible
 
What I'm looking for at the end of the day is a rock solid mount that places the scope as close to the barrel as possible

I guess it depends on the rifle and scope, I believe the mounts have different heights available. I can't remember what height I went with but it got me close enough.

IMG_20200901_171112460.jpg
 
Any reason you haven't considered a 1 piece mount? They're kinda spendy but there's nothing to mess up alignment wise and they don't need lapping either. I run a spuhr mount and it is rock solid, plus it comes with a little tool that automatically levels the scope inside of it.

Some most certainly do need lapping. I was having a scope issue and sent it back to Vortex along with the mount, a Burris one piece. They lapped it and it needed it. One piece mounts are not immune.
 
For further recommendations see Long Range Hunting Forum. Kind of a one stop source for info on everything long range.... a good bunch of folks to socialize with!
 
Spur, Seekins, Badger.
Any of those will give you rock-solid mounts.
I have Sphur, Badger and Leupold on my LR rigs, 2 EGW 20 MOA rails on the Savage rifles, and a MDT Tac-21 20MOA chassis for the Remy..
 
Bolt or semi-auto?
A lot will depend on the bell of your scope. It has to clear the rifle barrel or rail. I personally think a 3-18 will be hard at 1000 but others may differ (old eyes here). I have an RPR and put a Tract 4.5-30x56 on it and with rings the bell still hit the rail. Had to go to a Midwest 20 MOA one piece to clear the rail.
 
Bolt or semi-auto?
A lot will depend on the bell of your scope. It has to clear the rifle barrel or rail. I personally think a 3-18 will be hard at 1000 but others may differ (old eyes here). I have an RPR and put a Tract 4.5-30x56 on it and with rings the bell still hit the rail. Had to go to a Midwest 20 MOA one piece to clear the rail.

Bolt action, either a Savage 110 tactical or a Tikka T3X tactical. Bell of scope is 50mm, but have to account for lens caps. Won't know for sure until I get them and measure.
 
I would share my secret sauce, but............
Shooters envy precludes that!
Outside that, Seekins rings or the no longer available GG&G rings are where it's at for a more traditional ring to base type set up!
 
For the record, that Set up on @Stomper s Tikka is pretty bomb proof for a range rig/light duty hunting that most will see, and I can confirm it does in fact shoot gooder then most shootas, even while eatin my brass!
 
Any time a heavier scope is used, I would suggest steel rings with a wider footprint, and steel mounts. This is especially the case because all of my preferred cartridge/rifle combos generate between 20 and 40 ft lbs of recoil. I've seen more than one set of aluminum rings give up the ghost on heavier scopes.
 

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