Tikka integral dovetail mount, pic rail or 2-piece bases + rings?

[Thinkingman]

I just replaced my Deadnutz one-piece with a pic rail and Talley sporting rifle rings.
Only reason I abandoned the Deadnutz is I went from 1" to 30mm.

 

[NSI]

My view on this is that there is one reason to put a rail on a Tikka - elevation cant. If: You're using a scope with limited elevation travel. You're shooting a lead balloon. You're shooting rimfire. Sure, get a 20 or 30 MOA rail on there. But I don't see a use case for flat rails in the world of known-good Sportsmatch and UM direct dovetail clamp rings with recoil bosses.

If you do go the rail route, consider bonding it on so it's not simply held by screws. We like Loctite 380 (black max) but any rubberized cyanoacrylate adhesive (like arrow fletching glue) or bedding compound will work.

-J

 

[Castle Rock]

My view on this is that there is one reason to put a rail on a Tikka - elevation cant. If: You're using a scope with limited elevation travel. You're shooting a lead balloon. You're shooting rimfire. Sure, get a 20 or 30 MOA rail on there. But I don't see a use case for flat rails in the world of known-good Sportsmatch and UM direct dovetail clamp rings with recoil bosses.

You don’t even need a rail to get inclination, I just bed the scope into the rings with the cant that I want

 

[NSI]

You don’t even need a rail to get inclination, I just bed the scope into the rings with the cant that I want

I had no idea this could be done stress free. Live and learn.

-J

 

[Castle Rock]

Pretty easy, work out how much cant you want, shim accordingly and do a rough bed.



After that do a full bed of both the back and front rings

 

[Skydog]

So...I guess I'm going to go with the Sportsmatch mounts shown below (link). The UM rings are out of stock with no ETA on when they will be available again (I emailed them to ask and they didn't know). However, I have a couple of questions about the Sportsmatch mounts. They only come in Medium height, not Low.

• How does the Medium height SM compare to the Micro .900" UM rings?
• Will the Medium height SM rings cause the scope to sit too high? (Huron with 40mm objective)

I also looked at the Tikka Optilocks, but those seem to have mixed reviews. And I looked at the Warne direct mounts, but they all have vertical split rings, so not sure I want to go that route. Any other quality direct mounts that I'm overlooking?

Sportsmatch T048C Tikka 2 Piece Medium 1 Inch Scope Mount: Airguns of Arizona

 

[NSI]

You have made the correct choice. Go with God my child.

-J

 

[Balderdash]

My view on this is that there is one reason to put a rail on a Tikka - elevation cant. If: You're using a scope with limited elevation travel. You're shooting a lead balloon. You're shooting rimfire. Sure, get a 20 or 30 MOA rail on there. But I don't see a use case for flat rails in the world of known-good Sportsmatch and UM direct dovetail clamp rings with recoil bosses.

If you do go the rail route, consider bonding it on so it's not simply held by screws. We like Loctite 380 (black max) but any rubberized cyanoacrylate adhesive (like arrow fletching glue) or bedding compound will work.

-J

I would partially agree. I would add that another reason for a rail is for optimum ring spacing.

UM and SM rings are great, and I use them whenever I don't need elevation and for shorter tubed scopes. Unfortunately, with the direct to dovetail rings, spacing can be limited on scopes with really short or long tubes. Adding a rail ensures maximum ring spacing, which is a scope's best friend, and optimum ER.

A thing to remember on a cantilever - the unsupported ends of the scope - is that force goes up exponentially as distances from the point of attachment increase.

So far, the SRS Tikka rails are the best I've used. But they only work on newer variants. MT or Area 419 are good for all T3 and have been good quality, IME.

 

[Skydog]

I would partially agree. I would add that another reason for a rail is for optimum ring spacing.

UM and SM rings are great, and I use them whenever I don't need elevation and for shorter tubed scopes. Unfortunately, with the direct to dovetail rings, spacing can be limited on scopes with really short or long tubes. Adding a rail ensures maximum ring spacing, which is a scope's best friend, and optimum ER.

The scope is a Trijicon Huron 3-9 X 40. Would this be considered a really short or long tube? Do you think I will have issues with ring spacing/eye relief using the SM direct mounts?

 

[Balderdash]

Pretty easy, work out how much cant you want, shim accordingly and do a rough bed.

View attachment 837883

View attachment 837884After that do a full bed of both the back and front rings
View attachment 837885

I'm not arguing that this won't work, but it does seem like a Rube Goldbergian way to achieve the end result. I figure you are but don't see it in the pics so have to ask: Are you doing front and rear rings?

If you dont care for rails but still want inclination, pick up a set of Hawkins. If you don't mind rails, pick up a 40 MOA rail. If you really need more than that, pick up a set of Burris XTR SS rings.

 

[Balderdash]

The scope is a Trijicon Huron 3-9 X 40. Would this be considered a really short or long tube? Do you think I will have issues with ring spacing/eye relief using the SM direct mounts?

I don't have experience with that model of scope.

It's likely an average tube and will likely work well in the SM rings.

 

[bigsky_hunter]

The scope is a Trijicon Huron 3-9 X 40. Would this be considered a really short or long tube? Do you think I will have issues with ring spacing/eye relief using the SM direct mounts?

You’ll be fine as long as you don’t mount your scope absurdly far forward or back. I can measure my SM T048 when I get home so you can compare height to UM micro.

I like a little cheek riser for SM but shot it fine without.

 

[NSI]

I've installed that scope on 2 tikkas. You will be fine with rings.

-J

 

[Balderdash]

Some pics of a few set ups talked about so far. Hope this can be of use to those researching the subject.


SM TO48 With Sightron 3-9. 4 7/8" total ring width:


MT 20 moa rail with Maven RS1.2 and Ruff's Precision rings:


UM rings with Bushy 3-12 LRTSi:



SM TO84 rings with SWFA 6x:

 

[Skydog]

I ordered the Sportsmatch mounts. Based on the feedback here, I'm confident that they will be fine. If not, I'll try something else. And if they do work, then they were 1/2 the cost of the UMs that I was going to buy if they had been in stock.

What size torx bit(s) will I need for the screws? Not a lot of info on the Airguns of Arizona website.

Thanks all!

 

[Balderdash]

3 mil Allen key, IIRC.

 

[Skydog]

Trying to make sure I have everything I need on hand for when the scope and rings arrive. For degreasing the receiver, screws, scope, rings, etc... do you guys prefer brake cleaner, acetone, or a degreaser that is specifically formulated for firearms (e.g. Shooter's Choice, Hoppe's, etc.)?

It's been a while since I've installed a scope. Also, in the past, I did not degrease anything...but I plan to do so this time.

 

[Balderdash]

I use acetone. But brake or carb cleaner works, too, if that's what you have on hand.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

90% alcohol works as well and so does goo gone. Commercial gun solvents/degreasers should work too, but you'll probably pay more than the every day household stuff.

 

[Castle Rock]

Gasoline is the best and cheapest degreaser, alcohol is about the worst, hot soapy water is even better than alcohol