Tikka - sportsmatch vs warne

[Fordguy]

Nobody is saying vertically split rings always damage scopes and cant work, just that you are increasing your odds of having an issue by using them. There are many options out there for rings so it's quite easy to choose one that doesn't have higher odds of having an issue.

To be fair, I've had more issues with other brands and styles of rings than I have with the Warne Vertical splits. Not that any of the issues have been common, but if you go through enough rings/scope changes/rough use, you'll probably have a ring issue at some point regardless of brand/style. Just my experience. Ymmv.

The fact that I have never had a scope slip With the warne vertical splits no matter how heavy the recoil, and that I have never (to date) lost zero during travel or had anything loosen with the vertical splits was a selling/buying point for me for a long time. I still have a few vertical sets in service.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

the rail clamp force directly acts on the scope tube the vertical split rings, so when tightened enough to hold position, they will crimp or crush the scope tube.

It has also been noted that a lot of it has to do with alignment. You can’t mount the rings to the rail and set the optic in it to check alignment like with traditional rings. So you end up clamping down the rings and putting the pressure directly on your tube. If you’re lucky it only caused a stiff or stuck parallax or magnification ring. If your not lucky it trashes your optic.

There’s just no good reason to use them when there’s other options.

 

[wind gypsy]

Here's a video showing how well they work with a tube that is not deformed by their clamping. I found this helpful in understanding their shortcomings.

 

[HNTR918]

UM Tikka Rings - Unknown Munitions

These rings attach directly to the Tikka Dovetail on the top of every Tikka action, no need for a rail (scope base)! Each package comes with: 2 Scope Rings, 9/64″ Driver Bit, Blue Thread Locker, 2 x threaded reoil pins, 2 standard recoil pins. Made from 6061 aluminum and Type 3 Hardcoat Anodize...

www.unknownmunitions.com

UM rings with recoil pins is my choice for my next build.

 

[Formidilosus]

Dragging this old thread up. Was going to put vertical split warnes on my next gun but never used ones with the Tikka pin so did a search and ended up here.

Sportsmatch or Unknown Munitions are by far far the best Tikka rings on the market.



All vertical split rings that I know of do the below.

How do they break scopes and what issues? Trying to understand how it would be different than horizontal rings. I've put warne vertical split on my last 2 scopes and have been happy with them, although I can't tell you why I started using them. Thanks!

Imagine how they interact/tighten on the rail and tube. When you install them, you must tighten the base first. Now, you have a tight spot at the bottom of the scope. When you tighten the top screws, you are pinching the tube from the bottom. That’s why they cause issues- they “hinge” from the bottom and pinch the tube when tightening down.

Conventional rings have the base screws and ring screws separate, and “clamp” the tube evenly from both sides- they don’t pinch.

 

[goathunter]

Thanks all. Are sportsmatch ok for magnums?

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Thanks all. Are sportsmatch ok for magnums?

That depends on whether or not you believe air gun rings are acceptable for centerfire rifles at all. I ordered a set and sent them right back when I saw the quality of them. They’ve got a chintzy roll pin in them for recoil and the quality is about on par with with $10 Walmart weavers.

Spuhr SCT mounts are the way to go. They aren’t cheap, but the component that ties the rifle system together shouldn’t be.

 

[Formidilosus]

That depends on whether or not you believe air gun rings are acceptable for centerfire rifles at all. I ordered a set and sent them right back when I saw the quality of them. They’ve got a chintzy roll pin in them for recoil and the quality is about on par with with $10 Walmart weavers.

Air gun rings? You mean the rings that the original Accuracy International Sniper rifles issued to the British Army used, that were known and regarded as one of the most, if not the most reliable and durable systems ever made? Yes, they are durable.

How is it that you constantly talk about things definitively that you have zero experience with?

 

[Formidilosus]

Thanks all. Are sportsmatch ok for magnums?

Yes. However, the UM rings are better. Mainly due having multiple and variable recoil pin locations.

 

[PathFinder]

Thanks all. Are sportsmatch ok for magnums?

As someone who has used them, yes. I've had them on a lightweight, unbraked 300 WSM for 4 years now with no issues. Last zero check was yet another pass.

 

[DangerRanger]

I’m happy with my sportsmatch. They work well.

 

[atmat]

How is it that you constantly talk about things definitively that you have zero experience with?

Because he blocks anyone who disagrees with him, thus living in an echo chamber.

 

[goathunter]

Good deal. I like the sportsmatch price better

 

[Spence1875]

The UM look nice but not twice as nice. The SM are my go to for TIkkas.

 

[JGRaider]

I've got SM rings on a T3X 300 WM, 7mag, 260, 6.5CM's with zero problems over several years. They're great. Sako Optilock's are superb as well.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

That depends on whether or not you believe air gun rings are acceptable for centerfire rifles at all. I ordered a set and sent them right back when I saw the quality of them. They’ve got a chintzy roll pin in them for recoil and the quality is about on par with with $10 Walmart weavers.

Spuhr SCT mounts are the way to go. They aren’t cheap, but the component that ties the rifle system together shouldn’t be.

You don’t know what you’re talking about. Why embarrass yourself like that?

 

[atmat]

The UM look nice but not twice as nice. The SM are my go to for TIkkas.

Twice as nice just depends on your flavor. SM are great.

The UM allow you significantly more variability in mounting and double the recoil pins if you want to use the recoil pins.

If you’re not using recoil pins, they’re the same product.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

You don’t know what you’re talking about. Why embarrass yourself like that?

Which part of what I said is incorrect? They use a roll pin as a recoil pin that doesn’t even fit the relief in the receiver, and they’re sold by airgun sites and felt cheap. Do you think I lost money returning them and spent 4x as much for a Spuhr because I like burning money?

 

[redneckbmxer24]

I don’t know why I shoot myself in the foot and click the “show ignored content” button.

Used by AI… LOL. Attached is a statement from Tom Irwin the president of Accuracy International replying to a thread on snipershide about their mounts where someone else suggested they were made by sportsmatch. I have owned many AI mounts and no, the sportsmatch rings aren’t even close to being on the same level as AI mounts which really aren’t all that.

But I’m the one that doesn’t know what I’m talking about… I guess Tom Irwin is wrong too?

 

[dirtytough]

I

You need to charge your phone.