Drop Test Approved Rings/Bases

[edevans]

I have been in the market for a new scope and as part of my research I have been reading the drop tests posted here. But with a new scope comes new mounts.

While there is a lot of good information on scopes as part of the drop tests, I don’t see as much talked about with rings or bases in those tests.

How much weight do you put into this as part of building a reliable scope system?

Are there better options than others?

Appreciate any info and insights!

 

[JMundy84]

Nightforce UL, UM premier, and Warne MT tech for pic rail rings UM or Sports match for tikka dovetail mount are pretty much the go tos you'll see on here

 

[Raiderfry]

Nightforce UL rings have the best reviews for preventing a scope from moving from a drop or heavy recoil.

 

[JohnJohnson]

For what rifle? The rings are easy, just pick up some Nightforce Ultralight rings. As far as the base it'd probably depend on the make of the gun. But if it's a base you're putting on yourself, the usual way would be to bond it to the action.

Thread 'Bonding a picatinny rail to an action'

Jul 19, 2023

I’ve been asked a bunch on how to bond or glue a rail to an action. I had one today to do, so…


This is a Tikka T3x and Leupold Backcountry Rail. The has a lip around the edge of it, it’s not flat with the action. So you lose all friction that would come when the rail and action are mated together. It also does not have recoil lugs. Wouldn’t recommend.
For a bonding agent I’m using Loctite 380 Black Max this time.

First degrease the action, action threads, the rail, every screw, the holes in the rail, etc. Using acetone, brake cleaner, etc get all the oil off.

Then, coat the rail...

• Formidilosus
• Replies: 197
• Forum: Optics

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[Vince@Exterra]

Our one piece rings just passed the drop test performed by Justin Crossley. He is currently reviewing them here.
If you are interested send me a DM and I can hook you up with a discount.

 

[Kyguy]

Buy quality name brand rings. Warne, Burris Tactical, Weaver, SWFA, Nightforce and I say stay away from the small torx head base clamp screws and get the nut clamp style. I'm sure there are some good ones with two torx screw base clamps but I don't mess with them. I did some torture testing of pic rings a while back and posted it on here. Long story short..... the "off" brand rings all failed easily, both nut style clamp and two torx screw clamp, and the name brand rings with clamp nuts took a hell of a beating and the EGW 6160 pic rail started to fail first.

 

[PistolPete]

Do the DNZ one piece mounts work well? I like the concept...

 

[SloppyJ]

I run NF ultralights, Warne Mountain Tech, UM Tikka rings, and Hawkins without any issues. If I had to pick one, its the NF rings.

 

[V00D00]

I believe Warne mountain tech is the best rings for the cheapest money. They’re solid. I’ve been running them for years on several rifles with 0 issues with them.

 

[Squeaks]

Interested as well. Does vertical vs horizontal clamp matter?

 

[mtnbound]

I have been in the market for a new scope and as part of my research I have been reading the drop tests posted here. But with a new scope comes new mounts.

While there is a lot of good information on scopes as part of the drop tests, I don’t see as much talked about with rings or bases in those tests.

How much weight do you put into this as part of building a reliable scope system?

Are there better options than others?

Appreciate any info and insights!

I used Night Force for several years and switched to Unknown Munitions. After running the UM ones for a while, I find myself going back to NF rings because I prefer the large tightening nut to multiple small Allen screws for the base mount system, and NF uses 6 cap screws.

Are rings important? Yes, they are one of the components of your complete system. Don't go cheap.

 

[JMundy84]

I've never tried the warne mt techs and I've never had a single issue with the multiple sets of um rings I have but the NF UL held up through me shearing the rail from the top of my 300 RUM.

 

[Kyguy]

Do the DNZ one piece mounts work well? I like the concept...

They seem to work better than the Talley one piece mounts. Definitely heavier and heavier duty. I have not beat on those but I would imagine they hold fine, as long as the base screws don't give out.

 

[Formidilosus]

Interested as well. Does vertical vs horizontal clamp matter?

Vertically split rings are the quickest way to mess a scope up.

 

[Kyguy]

Interested as well. Does vertical vs horizontal clamp matter?

If this is referring to what I said about torture tests, the rail base clamps are always horizontal? Vertically split rings can make scopes do wonky things, though Warne and other companies that make them deny it. The ring pressure on the tube isn't even and they can pinch the tube. Maybe it's user error as well. Vortex actually quit marketing their vertically split rings years ago because of it causing issues.

 

[jjordan355]

I've never tried the warne mt techs and I've never had a single issue with the multiple sets of um rings I have but the NF UL held up through me shearing the rail from the top of my 300 RUM.
View attachment 1071481View attachment 1071482

What’s the story on this?

 

[JMundy84]

What’s the story on this?

Was 9 rounds into a 10 shot group and my scope/rail came flying off and hit me in the face. After looking at everything it looks like the screws mounting my rail were a little loose gun is at the shop now getting the mounting holes opened up to #8

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Do the DNZ one piece mounts work well? I like the concept...

They are good for lighter setups. As mentioned they are much better than Talley lightweights. I use those one pice setups on my kimbers with lighter scopes. I wouldn’t choose them on anything else though I don’t think.

 

[BLJ]

I've never tried the warne mt techs and I've never had a single issue with the multiple sets of um rings I have but the NF UL held up through me shearing the rail from the top of my 300 RUM.
View attachment 1071481View attachment 1071482

So using this scenario as an example (not aimed specifically at you) why not braze/weld a steel rail to the top of the action?

 

[Kyguy]

I'm curious if the rail was bonded to the action?