Mounting a scope on a Tikka 595

WillM

Active Member
Hi guys, I have just acquired a Tikka 595 in .222 and was wondering what the most cost effective method of mounting a scope would be? Optilocks or not? Thanks!
 
Optilocks are great - but they are pricey - Warne will do the job just as well, TBH.

What scope are you mounting - I may have a set sat around you can have cheap.......
 
If your rifle is the one I'm thinking of, the most cost effective way of getting a set of Optilocks would be to buy the ones the chap who sold you the rifle very cheaply has for sale....
 
I would go for the mounts that fit to the action (with no need for the bases) i have them on mine now and love them, cost effective and just as good as most.

speak to Eric the red.......the man has more stuff than me now.

bob.
 
Stick to the Optilocks - designed for the job & with the plastic inserts your scope will be perfectly aligned and securely fixed with almost no chance iof damaging it. The Burris Signature rings work on a similar plastic insert principle & will fit onto quite a few manufacturers' bases (Leupold, Redfield, Burris etc).
I once had a Swaro tube marked by Apel rings - caused by the offset clamping action of the wrap around top strap which is about 2/3rd of the circumference (the screws were nipped too tight) - The offset load allowed the underside of the scope tube to crush inwards!!!! - plus it can be difficult springing the strap around the tube even using a mylar strip to stop scratching the tube. IMHO Apel are fine on steel tubed scopes but modern alloy ones are much weaker. - Lesson learned for me!

Ian
 
Stick to the Optilocks - designed for the job & with the plastic inserts your scope will be perfectly aligned and securely fixed with almost no chance iof damaging it. The Burris Signature rings work on a similar plastic insert principle & will fit onto quite a few manufacturers' bases (Leupold, Redfield, Burris etc).
I once had a Swaro tube marked by Apel rings - caused by the offset clamping action of the wrap around top strap which is about 2/3rd of the circumference (the screws were nipped too tight) - The offset load allowed the underside of the scope tube to crush inwards!!!! - plus it can be difficult springing the strap around the tube even using a mylar strip to stop scratching the tube. IMHO Apel are fine on steel tubed scopes but modern alloy ones are much weaker. - Lesson learned for me!

Ian


Most people assume that the tubes are actually 1" say in diameter. I wonder how many have actually measured them?

You may be surprised. I have noticed that some quality German makes are not even parallel with one end being larger than the other and neither measuring an inch. It's this that most likely caused you crimping.
 
Hi guys, I have just acquired a Tikka 595 in .222 and was wondering what the most cost effective method of mounting a scope would be? Optilocks or not? Thanks!

http://www.sportsmatch-uk.com/tikka.html

I have several Tikka's, so looked beyond the manufacturer's manual.

These work at a fraction of the price of Optilocks. You won't need a gunsmith, and can mount them all by yourself, as they're a simple and sturdy one-piece solution.

I would replace all the other installed mounts (Millett, Weaver, etc.) with Sportsmatch, but the other setups aren't slipping & still doing the job so haven't bothered.
 
Thanks for all the advice! I haven't got a scope yet, but will have a 30mm tube and an objective no bigger that 50mm
 
these!

£40 and they are yours
brand new, designed for CZ/tikka rail
will take up to a 50mm obj

001-9.jpg
 
Optilocks are great - but they are pricey - Warne will do the job just as well, TBH.

What scope are you mounting - I may have a set sat around you can have cheap.......


Further to Ed's post - I have a set of 30mm med Warnes that came off a 595 - so they have the post on the front ring to fit the slot. I guess I'll have to match his price too - oh no, hang on I may be able to better it - £39.95.....!!

Seriously, there was a post here suggesting there was a set of Optilocks known to you at a good price, so it may be that is your preferred route - but as Sinistral and Brithunter have said, there are plenty of good options available with careful mounting.
With careful mounting I'm sure all will do you well for some time to come. Later on, you can waste your money like the rest of us on 'unnecessary' additions to kit - a bit like golfers who keep buying the latest clubs in the hope that the club itself improves their game.....!!
 
Optilocks and scope have been on my rifle since 1996 when it was first bought (by the previous owner). No damage to scope and no movement in all that time.
 
Most people assume that the tubes are actually 1" say in diameter. I wonder how many have actually measured them?

You may be surprised. I have noticed that some quality German makes are not even parallel with one end being larger than the other and neither measuring an inch. It's this that most likely caused you crimping.

Hi Brit. I do measure scope tubes - I have some 26mm diameter scopes as well as 1" & I match my rings carefully. My scope was a 30mm Swarovski not 1". It was on the rifle when I bought it (fitted by a competent gunsmith) I only saw the problem when I removed the scope after a couple of years. I had checked the screws were nipped up a couple of times & don't think I was too brutal.
There may possibly have been larger than ideal gaps at the split but IMHO the problem definitely was the differential clamping load leading to stress concentration on the bottom part of the scope by the small base segment of the rings.
A 30mm tube is more likely to get crushed than a 1" one.
Whatever the reason Apel rings are not my preferred choice now! The design is just wrong. I don't like springing the top strap over the scope tube & I don't fancy damaging another scope! The only scope I'd use Apel with would be made of steel. It's a pity because the Apel rings are very high quality build.
All this is why I really like the Optilock / Burris Signature style of rings.

Ian
 
Thanks all for the advice and offers! Looking on the top of the action of the M595, I cant seem to see any holes that the optilock posts would go into? Buth there are a few small screws on top?
 
Thanks all for the advice and offers! Looking on the top of the action of the M595, I cant seem to see any holes that the optilock posts would go into? Buth there are a few small screws on top?

Those screws can be took out if you want to fit a rail or two piece bases
 
Last edited:
Back
Top