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

[Trogon]

This is my favorite.

 

[Skydog]

OP, how'd those SM mediums work with the Huron? Got any pics?

Unfortunately, I have not had time to mount it yet. However, I am planning to at least do a dry run sometime in the next couple of days just to see how I like the height, eye relief, etc. before permanently mounting it. I'll take and send pics when I do this.

 

[JohnJohnson]

Personal preference/opinions vary but, after chasing mounting issues for years, I settled on the Area 419 rail (epoxied to action) and Nightforce ULs for all of my rifles. Interestingly enough, all my issues went away with this combo.

Best regards,
John

That's my plan once my Tikka's new barrel gets put on this month. Already bought the rail, rings, Loctite 380, and Loctite 243.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Unfortunately, I have not had time to mount it yet. However, I am planning to at least do a dry run sometime in the next couple of days just to see how I like the height, eye relief, etc. before permanently mounting it. I'll take and send pics when I do this.

Thanks man. I'm curious if it'll be low enough, I like them fairly low. If it's gonna be higher and I need a cheek pad anyway I'll probably just put a pic rail on it. Trying to decide before the rifle is even in my hands. lol

 

[Castle Rock]

This is my favorite.

There’s a hell of a lot of scope left unsupported there

 

[Skydog]

Thanks man. I'm curious if it'll be low enough, I like them fairly low. If it's gonna be higher and I need a cheek pad anyway I'll probably just put a pic rail on it. Trying to decide before the rifle is even in my hands. lol

Here's the pics. This was just a very quick dry run...screws are snug, but not torqued to specs, etc. My initial impressions...when I first looked at it, they seemed a little high for my tastes. However, when I shoulder the rifle (just as I would from a deer stand/blind when hunting), my line of vision very naturally aligns with the reticle. Maybe that says more about my form as a shooter than what proper scope height should be...I don't know. So, I think I'm good with the height where it is but won't be able to confirm until I actually shoot it. No issues with eye relief.

Hope the pics help. Let me know if you want pics from different angles, etc.

This is a Huron 3-9 X 40. Height from barrel to bottom of objective is around 5/16".

 

[bigsky_hunter]

I use the kick eez cheek eez for a quick way to gain a bit more height. Comfortable and warm on the cheek when it’s cold. 1/8” is what I used for the T048. Granted it’s on the synthetic and not that nice looking tiger striped walnut.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Here's the pics. This was just a very quick dry run...screws are snug, but not torqued to specs, etc. My initial impressions...when I first looked at it, they seemed a little high for my tastes. However, when I shoulder the rifle (just as I would from a deer stand/blind when hunting), my line of vision very naturally aligns with the reticle. Maybe that says more about my form as a shooter than what proper scope height should be...I don't know. So, I think I'm good with the height where it is but won't be able to confirm until I actually shoot it. No issues with eye relief.

Hope the pics help. Let me know if you want pics from different angles, etc.

This is a Huron 3-9 X 40. Height from barrel to bottom of objective is around 5/16".

You rock my friend, thank you for that! Now I have some noodling to do.

 

[Skydog]

I use the kick eez cheek eez for a quick way to gain a bit more height. Comfortable and warm on the cheek when it’s cold. 1/8” is what I used for the T048. Granted it’s on the synthetic and not that nice looking tiger striped walnut.

I think I'll be fine with the height, but if I need some minor adjustment, I will probably go with something like one of these...

COMB RAISING KIT 2.0 - No Loops Model in Walnut Brown

Beartooth’s Comb Raising Kit 2.0 is the easiest and most effective way to build up height on your gunstock. If your shotgun shooting accuracy suffers due to improper gun fit or you need help getting up to the cross-hairs on your rifle’s high powered scope, you have found the solution. Building...

www.beartooth-products.com

Triad Large Stock Pack™

triadtactical.com

 

[Marbles]

In regard to using the Sportsmatch rings on the integral dovetail...since I won't be using the holes in the top of the receiver to mount a pic rail/bases, should I remove the factory plastic plugs in those holes and replace them with some stainless-steel plugs? If so, where can I order these steel plugs and what size are they? Or is it OK to just leave the plastic plugs in there? I'm assuming some of these holes will be covered by the SM rings and some will still be exposed? I'm still waiting on the rings to arrive.

I've used these with loctite (don't want them migrating down and binding the action). 6-48 x 1/8. They are not needed, but are simple and make my OCD happy.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CB6PZBLB?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

[Skydog]

I've used these with loctite (don't want them migrating down and binding the action). 6-48 x 1/8. They are not needed, but are simple and make my OCD happy.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CB6PZBLB?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Thank you...I think those will make my OCD happy too.

 

[Balderdash]

There’s a hell of a lot of scope left unsupported there

That's why I have traditionally stayed away from a lot of one piece units that otherwise look like great designs. Ring spacing is a scope's best friend.

Along the same lines, I often see pics posted of people's rigs on which they have a rail, but yet they still don't have the rings spaced as far to the periphery of the tube as possible. Leverage on a cantilever increases exponentially as the distance gets further from the point of attachment.