What Base for Vintage BSA Centerfire?

[AppalachianHollers]

I was gifted a lovely Birmingham Small Arms Ltd. bolt gun in .30-06 a couple years ago. With the Weaver rings and a Redfield scope, it shot a decent group (might have been 1 1/4” at 100 yards with some old Winchester Super X round nose bullets; 180 grains if memory serves.)

But I truly suspect this rifle is capable of more.

I want to upgrade its optic system by next fall (that is, Fall 2024)—I’d like to take it on a DIY elk hunt. But I’m unsure what will fit it. I suspect a long-action Model 70 fit base would work, but I want to be sure. Anyone have any resources that could shed some light?

This is not a pic of my rifle, but mine is identical in appearance to this one I found online on this obscure Canadian classifieds site:

BSA 30-06 Majestic Deluxe in very good/excellent condition in Winnipeg MB | Guns & Hunting Supplies

www.cansellall.com

 

[Grassymike]

My first rifle is a BSA 30-06. Mine came with Redfield JR mounts. Mine uses bases made for a Remington 700 . Lived in the Yukon at the time but actually bought the rifle in Alaska . Do you have to pull the trigger forward to remove the bolt ?

 

[AppalachianHollers]

Do you have to pull the trigger forward to remove the bolt ?

Yes. Took me awhile to figure out that one.

 

[AppalachianHollers]

Here’s a pic of the mounts + bases + rings on mine. Trying to figure out the best approach for getting this thing with a solid mounting system.
I love the trigger on this rifle. For a factory rifle of this era to have such a good trigger pull amazed me.

 

[Grassymike]

Yep, great trigger. Spoiled me right out of the gate. Picture a 135 pound kid at 14 shooting that 06 for the first time with a 220 gr. load that the guy that owned the gun shop was loading for a Grizzly hunt. He had a target right against the ditch of the highway out front of his store, he checked both ways and said," let er rip kid." I lived and bought the rifle.

 

[Grassymike]

I still have mine. I do not use it much now but it will never be sold, way to many memories and good times with that gun.

 

[AppalachianHollers]

So would you counsel me to swap out the bases and mounts? I’m thinking a one-piece base like the Leupold Backcountry (for the Remington 700, if your rifle’s specs are indicative of mine) might be a major upgrade—and of course, just about anything will be better than those Redfield style rings I have.

 

[Grassymike]

I would change those rings and bases, they are the old Weaver .Your call on whether to switch up but there are a lot of options. The old school steel dovetail style rings with adjustable windage screws in the back base have worked well for decades. Leupold, Burris, Redfield all made them. I personally like two piece bases as they do not restrict loading a rifle without a removeable mag. Lots of guys use the one piece Talley rings. I have one set and they are slightly lighter ,can't see any advantage other than that. I really like Burris Zee rings.

 

[AppalachianHollers]

Is there an (at least theoretical) advantage to a one-piece base that would make the relative reloading difficulty worth it?

 

[Grassymike]

Possibly more accurate. Heavier . I have one on a Remington 700 SA that is tight for loading. But they are tight without a one base as well.