Picatinny Rails vs Standard rings bases

[Bulldawg]

What's the general opinion on scope mounting, is having a single piece rail better or is a dovetail better? Or is it better to go with the rings that mount directly to the gun?

I have mostly been using the rails on my guns lately, but I don't know what is optimal.

 

[sndmn11]

After having Talley on piece base/rings, I now appreciate the versatility that a rail and rings offers in more fore/aft adjustability, and being able to move scopes around from rifle to rifle.

 

[2rocky]

Took the rail off my Howa and went to regular rings. Brought the scope down to a better line with the butt of my stock. Ah the travails of having perfect high cheekbones....

 

[wyosam]

I’m mixed, some have rails, but for the rifle I carry in the mountains, it’s Talley ultra lows. Light, low, and reliable.


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[WCB]

I have multislot rails on all my guns. Tried mounting with two piece bases or dovetails and 90% of the time never got the eye relief right especially on long actions. I don't shoot anything over a 44mm objective so never really had a problem with height.

 

[CentralFLMike]

I went to rails and QD rings a couple of years ago when my rifle took a tumble and shattered an objective lens. I scavenged enough tools to use the scope from a muzzleloader for the rest of the hunt. The whole process would have been a simple swap and confirm zero with a rail and rings mounted on a scope. If it happens again, I'll be ready. Plus, I have the peace of mind the crosshairs are level/plumb to the rings and there is fore/aft adjustment for eye relief.

 

[SDHNTR]

Rails are sometimes a necessary solution for mounting and/or eye relief, but they just scream tactidork to me so I will opt for traditional rings wherever possible.