UM Premier vs Area 419 Hunt

[WoolyBugger]

Can’t decide between these two rings. Anyone have experience with both and help me make a decision?

 

[cuerro viejo]

I’ve personally moved away from any kind of ring with aluminum clamp, with that said 419 has one of the higher torque specs of any aluminum clamp ring. Only part I have ever had fail on a set of rings is aluminum alloy clamp(side impact or over torquing) and if it has 2 holes is more likely to spilt. With that said most aluminum alloy rings have lighter torque specs than 419 though.

With the UM or NF, the bolt will strip out before clamp breaks

 

[WoolyBugger]

I’ve personally moved away from any kind of ring with aluminum clamp, with that said 419 has one of the higher torque specs of any aluminum clamp ring. Only part I have ever had fail on a set of rings is aluminum alloy clamp(side impact or over torquing) and if it has 2 holes is more likely to spilt. With that said most aluminum alloy rings have lighter torque specs than 419 though.

With the UM or NF, the bolt will strip out before clamp breaks

Was it an area 419 clamp you had fail or a different brand? I cannot find any area 419 failures out there

 

[cuerro viejo]

Was it an area 419 clamp you had fail or a different brand? I cannot find any area 419 failures out there

No it wasn’t, also why I mention 419 having higher torque spec then most, thus should be much stronger then other aluminum clamp brands. it was MDT and MDT has 25lb torque spec per their CS

 

[NSI]

There's a degree of obsessiveness in machining tolerance that's inherent to the area 419 brand (see their owner's videos) that gives me the warm fuzzies.

The Nightforce ULs also have a well earned reputation. I'm sure the UMs are great.

-J

 

[WoolyBugger]

There's a degree of obsessiveness in machining tolerance that's inherent to the area 419 brand (see their owner's videos) that gives me the warm fuzzies.

The Nightforce ULs also have a well earned reputation. I'm sure the UMs are great.

-J

Agreed. I have a few of the area 419 Products and love them. I ordered the rings after that comment because they do indeed give me the warm fuzzies

 

[PA farmboy]

I’ve personally moved away from any kind of ring with aluminum clamp, with that said 419 has one of the higher torque specs of any aluminum clamp ring. Only part I have ever had fail on a set of rings is aluminum alloy clamp(side impact or over torquing) and if it has 2 holes is more likely to spilt. With that said most aluminum alloy rings have lighter torque specs than 419 though.

With the UM or NF, the bolt will strip out before clamp breaks

I agree with this, will no longer use any sort of aluminum clamp on my tikkas. Sheared a recoil lug off a mountain tactical mount, so upgraded to a set of UM mounts and they lasted under 20 rounds before shearing off the recoil pins as well and moving maybe 1/2”. Everything always torqued to spec. Went and ordered a real set of mounts that bolt on this time.

 

[morgaj1]

I agree with this, will no longer use any sort of aluminum clamp on my tikkas. Sheared a recoil lug off a mountain tactical mount, so upgraded to a set of UM mounts and they lasted under 20 rounds before shearing off the recoil pins as well and moving maybe 1/2”. Everything always torqued to spec. Went and ordered a real set of mounts that bolt on this time.

What mount did you buy to replace the UM?

 

[Dave_S]

I agree with this, will no longer use any sort of aluminum clamp on my tikkas. Sheared a recoil lug off a mountain tactical mount, so upgraded to a set of UM mounts and they lasted under 20 rounds before shearing off the recoil pins as well and moving maybe 1/2”. Everything always torqued to spec. Went and ordered a real set of mounts that bolt on this time.

Were those the UM premiere rings or the tikka rings? What cartridge are you shooting? Curious because I have several hundred rounds on UM tikka rings and haven't had any issues. They are on a 223 though, so not much in the way of recoil.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

I agree with this, will no longer use any sort of aluminum clamp on my tikkas. Sheared a recoil lug off a mountain tactical mount, so upgraded to a set of UM mounts and they lasted under 20 rounds before shearing off the recoil pins as well and moving maybe 1/2”. Everything always torqued to spec. Went and ordered a real set of mounts that bolt on this time.

What um mount broke, and what did you switch to?

 

[huntnful]

I’ve had 3 sets, of both style of ring. The 419’s appear to be flawless. Simple, but flawless. The UM’s are not. Not going to turn it into some bashing thread, but I would go with the hunt rings personally.

 

[cuerro viejo]

I agree with this, will no longer use any sort of aluminum clamp on my tikkas. Sheared a recoil lug off a mountain tactical mount, so upgraded to a set of UM mounts and they lasted under 20 rounds before shearing off the recoil pins as well and moving maybe 1/2”. Everything always torqued to spec. Went and ordered a real set of mounts that bolt on this time.

Direct or rail?

 

[wind gypsy]

I agree with this, will no longer use any sort of aluminum clamp on my tikkas. Sheared a recoil lug off a mountain tactical mount, so upgraded to a set of UM mounts and they lasted under 20 rounds before shearing off the recoil pins as well and moving maybe 1/2”. Everything always torqued to spec. Went and ordered a real set of mounts that bolt on this time.

What are the details on the rifle that you're shearing recoil lugs so easily? Seems crazy.

 

[PA farmboy]

I have changed to Talley rings, and had my gunsmith drill and tap out rifle and mounts for next larger screw size. It’s a 45 raptor, 8.25lb gun with 20” barrel. 240gr bullet at 2712fps. UM rings I tried were their tikka rings.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Good luck with those talleys.

 

[AK4570]

Another thing worth considering is the material properties of the chosen alloy. There is a significant difference between 6000 and 7000 series aluminum. Enough so that every rifle in our stable wears Nightforce ULs.

Best regards,
John

 

[Lawnboi]

Iv had a lot of rings and the area 419 are impressive. Lots of them work but I’ll be buying more area 419 in the future.

 

[AK4570]

In furtherance of the alloy discussion, both the UM Premier and the Area 419 rings are 7000 series aluminum. The UM Tikka rings, on the other hand, are 6061.

Best regards,
John

 

[ndlawrence]

In furtherance of the alloy discussion, both the UM Premier and the Area 419 rings are 7000 series aluminum. The UM Tikka rings, on the other hand, are 6061.

Best regards,
John

The Area419 rings have an 7000 clamp vs the UM and NF rings have a titanium clamp block

 

[SloppyJ]

Never tried the 419s but I do have a set of ARC M-Brace rings that have been great.