Which scope mount system is best for a rifle?

Super-Dave · March 7, 2010, 09:07 PM

I am looking to buy my first bolt action rifle. I have always been a semi auto and shotgun man.

My question is which scope mount system is best to put on a rifle?

Picatanny
Weaver
standard
dovetail

jrothWA · March 7, 2010, 09:28 PM

only exceptions are the Ruger rinks on my .22 and old Marlin rings on a second .22 from 60's.

Like the commonality for when I need to swap a scope.

jmr40 · March 7, 2010, 10:40 PM

There is no true best, it depends on a lot of factors. What kind of rifle? What caliber? Hunting rifle or dedicated target rifle?

I'm primarily a hunter so I like light weight and simple. The Talley lightweights are what I prefer. After that anything that fits into a cross slot Weaver style. The Picatinney rails are fine, but heavier than I want on a hunting rifle.

They are quite popular, but I do not care at all for anything with dovetails. Especially the ones that are windage adjustable. They work fine as long as they are installed correctly, but are overly complicated and heavy.

DnPRK · March 8, 2010, 12:35 AM

I use a Picatinny one piece mount and Leupold QRW rings on my precision rifles.

scottawil · March 8, 2010, 01:33 AM

I voted Weaver, but I have to say it really depends on the rifle and the scope. Picatinny rails are great for something that you might want to be able to come off easily and Weavers are the nice classic look. If it were a single purpose rifle with a dedicated scope then Weaver. If it's a multi-purpose rifle that might use multiple optics Picatinny is the clear choice.

madcratebuilder · March 8, 2010, 09:58 AM

Depends on the rifle. I have several mil-surps with Picatinney rails.

Art Eatman · March 8, 2010, 01:45 PM

Seems to me that it's hard to find a setup that's not plenty good, staying away from special-purpose stuff.

I've had no problems at all with Weavers, for some sixty years. I've used others; they work. Conetrols are the prettiest.

I will say I've never really seen any advantage to one-piece, bridge-type bases on a bolt-action. They seem to be in the way, to me.

I've found some benefit, occasionally, from having a rear base which is adjustable for windage. Allows for centering the vertical crosshair.

thekyrifleman · March 8, 2010, 02:43 PM

I didn't vote...To me it seems to be personal choice and what you want to do. I have Weavers that have served me well for over 40 years...the QD feature is great for swapping from rifle to rifle....Leupolds have also worked great..I use the std mount..less flexibility but strong as Hell, and also a Redfield mount...as with the Leupolds has a windage adjustment on the rear base...saves adjustment in the scope....I also favor two piece as Art says the one piece bridge to me would be in the way....

uncyboo · March 8, 2010, 02:45 PM

Quote:

I've found some benefit, occasionally, from having a rear base which is adjustable for windage. Allows for centering the vertical crosshair.

...which you can still incorporate into the Weaver base system, with rings such as the Millet AngleLocs....

Legionnaire · March 8, 2010, 04:11 PM

I didn't vote, either. Depends on your application. My hunting rifles typically wear Leupold bases and rings. Others some form of picatinny rail. Not sure there is a "best" for all applications.

tINY · March 8, 2010, 05:58 PM

Just to answer Art's question: The one piece picatinny mounts are good for a couple of things.

If your rifle is not quite drilled square and strait, the angles will be delt with as you mount the base to the receiver. This ensures that the rings mount to a flat and straight base. I have a butchered old Yugo Mauser that has a one-piece rail for this reason.

One piece rails also can be had with a built in slope. Alternately, you can shim them with no danger of torquing a scope tube.

Yes, they get in the way on a hunting rifle that gets carried and loaded/unloaded a lot - and shot a little.

-tINY

Art Eatman · March 8, 2010, 06:46 PM

Sure, tINY, but I was figuring he was talking more about a factory-drilled rig, most likely for either hunting or "sorta-close" target work.

("Sorta close" meaning no more than 300 yards.)

Super-Dave · March 8, 2010, 08:47 PM

Any reason to go with a weaver instead of picatanny.

I am not concerned about price. I only want a stable ring and base platform.

the doevetail looks interesting since you can adjust for a little bit of left right alignment on the gun. However that also looks like it could come lose easily as well.

It seems picatanny and weaver look the most stable. This is going on a factory drilled remington 700.

Yalls imput is most appreciated.

uncyboo · March 8, 2010, 09:35 PM

Price being an option or not, the Weaver bases are very economical, and you can spend as much as you want for the rings. All the big players make Weaver style rings.

lefteye · March 8, 2010, 09:39 PM

My preference for a bolt action hunting rifle is the Leupold Dual Dovetail system in which both the front and rear bases accept only matching dovetail rings. These are very strong, very stable, and very clean looking, but there is virtually no windage adjustment (and obviously no elevation adjustment) with this system.

Of course Conetrol rings are "beautiful" - they look like they are part of the scope installed by "magic".

mrawesome22 · March 8, 2010, 11:33 PM

I'd love to try out that Talley One Piece system. That just looks like the ultimate in strength and simplicity. My next bolt gun will have them for sure. Right now it's all dual dovetails and weaver's for me. I do prefer the clean lines of the dual dovetail's however.

tINY · March 9, 2010, 02:27 AM

Unless there is a reason for something else, all my bolt action rifles get Talley Lightweights any more. It really is a good system.

-tINY

Norrick · March 9, 2010, 03:53 AM

I use a picatinny, but sometimes I wish I had a two piece base to make it easier for your fingers to get in near the action

Picher · March 9, 2010, 07:40 AM

It depends on the rifle. A picatinny is okay on military rifles and semi-auto handguns for mounting lasers, etc. I prefer Weaver on sporting rifles for cleaner lines and access to loading ports.

I have no love for dovetail mounts. They don't provide adequate stability IMHO. The dovetail bearing surfaces are tiny and angular. I've never had a problem with Weaver top mounts, especially when using Locktite Stud and Bearing Mount (some brands call it "Sleeve Retainer") under bases. Screws get red Locktite (extra strength, but removable).

Art Eatman · March 9, 2010, 10:50 AM

Super-Dave, I rarely holler about "better" on a lot of stuff. All I know about Weaver bases and rings is that they'll stay in place through around 4,000 rounds of .30-'06 over a thirty-year period. Seems to me that's about all I need to know, really...

crimsondave · March 9, 2010, 10:55 AM

I like Leupold mounts and rings the best. Weaver works fine too.

cohoskip · March 9, 2010, 06:52 PM

Take a look at Dednutz one piece rings. I have them on 2 of my rifles. I think they are great...

swcr · March 12, 2010, 09:08 PM

All my rifles, except those like CZ with an integral dovetail on the receiver, use steel Weaver style bases from Leupold or Warne and Burris zee rings.

Eugene

sc928porsche · March 12, 2010, 09:58 PM

Weavers have always worked well for me.

TX Hunter · March 13, 2010, 01:55 AM

For Bolt Action Rifles other than Rugers I prefer the Leupold 1 piece base.
Very Strong, and you have windage adjustment.
On the Ruger Rifles, I prefer Ruger Rings.

View Poll Results: Which scope mount ring system is best to use on a bolt action rifle
Picatanny	19	39.58%
Weaver	19	39.58%
Dovetail	8	16.67%
Standard	2	4.17%
Voters: 48. You may not vote on this poll

March 7, 2010, 09:07 PM	#1
Super-Dave Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 795	Which scope mount system is best for a rifle? I am looking to buy my first bolt action rifle. I have always been a semi auto and shotgun man. My question is which scope mount system is best to put on a rifle? Picatanny Weaver standard dovetail

March 7, 2010, 09:28 PM	#2
jrothWA Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2006 Posts: 2,529	Have used Weaver original rings since 1971... only exceptions are the Ruger rinks on my .22 and old Marlin rings on a second .22 from 60's. Like the commonality for when I need to swap a scope.

March 8, 2010, 04:11 PM	#10
Legionnaire Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2000 Location: Central TX Posts: 1,503	I didn't vote, either. Depends on your application. My hunting rifles typically wear Leupold bases and rings. Others some form of picatinny rail. Not sure there is a "best" for all applications. __________________ Cogito, ergo armatus sum.

March 8, 2010, 05:58 PM	#11
tINY Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2005 Location: Orygun Posts: 2,589	Just to answer Art's question: The one piece picatinny mounts are good for a couple of things. If your rifle is not quite drilled square and strait, the angles will be delt with as you mount the base to the receiver. This ensures that the rings mount to a flat and straight base. I have a butchered old Yugo Mauser that has a one-piece rail for this reason. One piece rails also can be had with a built in slope. Alternately, you can shim them with no danger of torquing a scope tube. Yes, they get in the way on a hunting rifle that gets carried and loaded/unloaded a lot - and shot a little. -tINY Last edited by tINY; March 8, 2010 at 06:07 PM.

March 7, 2010, 10:40 PM	#3
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,975	There is no true best, it depends on a lot of factors. What kind of rifle? What caliber? Hunting rifle or dedicated target rifle? I'm primarily a hunter so I like light weight and simple. The Talley lightweights are what I prefer. After that anything that fits into a cross slot Weaver style. The Picatinney rails are fine, but heavier than I want on a hunting rifle. They are quite popular, but I do not care at all for anything with dovetails. Especially the ones that are windage adjustable. They work fine as long as they are installed correctly, but are overly complicated and heavy.

March 8, 2010, 12:35 AM	#4
DnPRK Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2001 Location: LC, Ca Posts: 1,917	I use a Picatinny one piece mount and Leupold QRW rings on my precision rifles.

March 8, 2010, 01:33 AM	#5
scottawil Member Join Date: February 24, 2010 Location: Ft Campbell, KY Posts: 27	I voted Weaver, but I have to say it really depends on the rifle and the scope. Picatinny rails are great for something that you might want to be able to come off easily and Weavers are the nice classic look. If it were a single purpose rifle with a dedicated scope then Weaver. If it's a multi-purpose rifle that might use multiple optics Picatinny is the clear choice.

March 8, 2010, 09:58 AM	#6
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 4,923	Depends on the rifle. I have several mil-surps with Picatinney rails.

March 8, 2010, 01:45 PM	#7
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Seems to me that it's hard to find a setup that's not plenty good, staying away from special-purpose stuff. I've had no problems at all with Weavers, for some sixty years. I've used others; they work. Conetrols are the prettiest. I will say I've never really seen any advantage to one-piece, bridge-type bases on a bolt-action. They seem to be in the way, to me. I've found some benefit, occasionally, from having a rear base which is adjustable for windage. Allows for centering the vertical crosshair.

March 8, 2010, 02:43 PM	#8
thekyrifleman Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2007 Location: Northern Ky Posts: 254	I didn't vote...To me it seems to be personal choice and what you want to do. I have Weavers that have served me well for over 40 years...the QD feature is great for swapping from rifle to rifle....Leupolds have also worked great..I use the std mount..less flexibility but strong as Hell, and also a Redfield mount...as with the Leupolds has a windage adjustment on the rear base...saves adjustment in the scope....I also favor two piece as Art says the one piece bridge to me would be in the way....

March 8, 2010, 06:46 PM	#12
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Sure, tINY, but I was figuring he was talking more about a factory-drilled rig, most likely for either hunting or "sorta-close" target work. ("Sorta close" meaning no more than 300 yards.)

March 8, 2010, 08:47 PM	#13
Super-Dave Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 795	Any reason to go with a weaver instead of picatanny. I am not concerned about price. I only want a stable ring and base platform. the doevetail looks interesting since you can adjust for a little bit of left right alignment on the gun. However that also looks like it could come lose easily as well. It seems picatanny and weaver look the most stable. This is going on a factory drilled remington 700. Yalls imput is most appreciated.

March 8, 2010, 09:35 PM	#14
uncyboo Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2008 Location: Shelby, MT Posts: 1,013	Price being an option or not, the Weaver bases are very economical, and you can spend as much as you want for the rings. All the big players make Weaver style rings.

March 8, 2010, 09:39 PM	#15
lefteye Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2006 Posts: 1,433	My preference for a bolt action hunting rifle is the Leupold Dual Dovetail system in which both the front and rear bases accept only matching dovetail rings. These are very strong, very stable, and very clean looking, but there is virtually no windage adjustment (and obviously no elevation adjustment) with this system. Of course Conetrol rings are "beautiful" - they look like they are part of the scope installed by "magic". __________________ Vietnam Veteran ('69-'70) NRA Life Member RMEF Life Member Last edited by lefteye; March 8, 2010 at 09:45 PM.

March 8, 2010, 11:33 PM	#16
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	I'd love to try out that Talley One Piece system. That just looks like the ultimate in strength and simplicity. My next bolt gun will have them for sure. Right now it's all dual dovetails and weaver's for me. I do prefer the clean lines of the dual dovetail's however.

March 9, 2010, 02:27 AM	#17
tINY Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2005 Location: Orygun Posts: 2,589	Unless there is a reason for something else, all my bolt action rifles get Talley Lightweights any more. It really is a good system. -tINY

March 9, 2010, 03:53 AM	#18
Norrick Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2008 Posts: 577	I use a picatinny, but sometimes I wish I had a two piece base to make it easier for your fingers to get in near the action

March 9, 2010, 07:40 AM	#19
Picher Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 3,701	It depends on the rifle. A picatinny is okay on military rifles and semi-auto handguns for mounting lasers, etc. I prefer Weaver on sporting rifles for cleaner lines and access to loading ports. I have no love for dovetail mounts. They don't provide adequate stability IMHO. The dovetail bearing surfaces are tiny and angular. I've never had a problem with Weaver top mounts, especially when using Locktite Stud and Bearing Mount (some brands call it "Sleeve Retainer") under bases. Screws get red Locktite (extra strength, but removable).

March 9, 2010, 10:50 AM	#20
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Super-Dave, I rarely holler about "better" on a lot of stuff. All I know about Weaver bases and rings is that they'll stay in place through around 4,000 rounds of .30-'06 over a thirty-year period. Seems to me that's about all I need to know, really...

March 9, 2010, 10:55 AM	#21
crimsondave Senior Member Join Date: September 30, 2009 Location: North Augusta, SC Posts: 490	I like Leupold mounts and rings the best. Weaver works fine too.

March 9, 2010, 06:52 PM	#22
cohoskip Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2007 Location: Chimacum, WA Posts: 424	Take a look at Dednutz one piece rings. I have them on 2 of my rifles. I think they are great...

March 12, 2010, 09:08 PM	#23
swcr Member Join Date: December 31, 2009 Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA Posts: 64	All my rifles, except those like CZ with an integral dovetail on the receiver, use steel Weaver style bases from Leupold or Warne and Burris zee rings. Eugene

March 12, 2010, 09:58 PM	#24
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,433	Weavers have always worked well for me.

March 13, 2010, 01:55 AM	#25
TX Hunter Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2010 Location: East Texas USA Posts: 1,805	For Bolt Action Rifles other than Rugers I prefer the Leupold 1 piece base. Very Strong, and you have windage adjustment. On the Ruger Rifles, I prefer Ruger Rings.