Scope Mounts

What’s everyone’s views on scope mounts/ bases &rings? What brands are everyone using?

With due respect Dave and not wishing to cause any offence whatsoever that has got to be one of the most wide open questions ever posted on the site. Its very much like asking "what's everyone's views on cars and what brands are everyone using?"
As Mr B says it depends on what you are fitting and how much you want to spend.

If you were to ask me what makes I am using or have used in the past the answer would be;
Parker Hale, Redfield, Leupold (several types), Burris, Tikka (own brand prior to Sako) , Optilock with both Sako and Tikka, Recknagel, Sportsmatch, Ruger, Warne, Weaver, Suhl, Ziegler, plus a few other makes that have been long forgotten.
Some brands or styles of mount were/are superb, some have done the job but weren't very ellegant, and some makes were been found sadly lacking in one way or another.

Let us know what your needs are such as the actual rifle and scope or sighting system that you want to mount and I'm sure that the site members will offer no end of advice as to their preferred system or brand. Personally I would always recommend not skimping on quality and to go for steel in preference whenever possible, but that's only my own personal take on the matter.
 
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What’s everyone’s views on scope mounts/ bases &rings? What brands are everyone using?
As stated above, there's a great variety of rings out there. I especially like Burris rings with the offset inserts, however Burris don't do a quick release set of rings with offset inserts. If they did, that's what I would buy. I only use Picatinny rails on my rifles. I wouldn't buy a Sako 75, Sako 85 or any other rifle that uses proprietary mounts.
As has been stated before, after over a 100 years, there still isn't an idiot proof way to mount scopes that is universally available and understood. Having tried and failed to get a mounting system that allowed me to run one 260 Rem with a target scope one day and a stalking scope the next day, I have given up. The simplest thing to do was to buy another 260 Rem. I had my first bad experience of scope mounting in 1975. I don't expect the issue to be solved in my lifetime.
Regards
JCS
 
If you haven't already got the scope have you considered scopes with built in rails. No need for rings just rail to rail one piece mount with return to zero capability. It can be costly but it is good and if rifles have picatiny rails you are good to go if you change rifle.
 
can't go wrong with picatinny rail and tier one mounts.
precision heavy duty gear. I've removed scopes and replaced the same scope with no / minimal change in zero. I don't like doing it without chance to test the zero but I've never had a problem as long as your methodical in the way you do it.
 
Tier one rings and rails. Only exception is Tikka optiloc on my 690 as I had those.

I watched the Tier One rings being made and I was sold.

That is not to say all others are rubbish of course. Just my preference now.
 
I only use Picatinny rails on my rifles. I wouldn't buy a Sako 75, Sako 85 or any other rifle that uses proprietary mounts.
JCS

I've just gone back the other way JCS. I ran a picatinny rail on my 85 for the last 3 or 4 years, the idea being that I would have a similar system on a couple of my rifles for the sake of convenience switching scopes about between rifles. Mainly personal preferences I suppose, but for me it just didn't work, as I much prefer the Optilock system on my 85. To my eye Optilocks not only look much neater on a sporting rifle as opposed to a target or tactical rifle but I have more confidence in the system. The quick release detachable rings used with the picatinny rail let me down on one occasion resulting in a grazed deer. Yes I know I could have gone to fixed picatinny rings but I decided to move back to Optilocks.
 
I've just gone back the other way JCS. I ran a picatinny rail on my 85 for the last 3 or 4 years, the idea being that I would have a similar system on a couple of my rifles for the sake of convenience switching scopes about between rifles. Mainly personal preferences I suppose, but for me it just didn't work, as I much prefer the Optilock system on my 85. To my eye Optilocks not only look much neater on a sporting rifle as opposed to a target or tactical rifle but I have more confidence in the system. The quick release detachable rings used with the picatinny rail let me down on one occasion resulting in a grazed deer. Yes I know I could have gone to fixed picatinny rings but I decided to move back to Optilocks.
My experience of Optilocks was the prime reason I moved to a pic rail and quality rings with proper screws made of hard steel that do not deform. That is without considering the flexibility of the pic rail set up.

Yes its more expensive, but Optilocks are very expensive for such poor quality materials and the ensuing issues
 
? ones that hold's the scope ? would be as vague I could answer to that open ended post .
So a few Q's that need an answer .
what scope size.
scope obj size.
type of rifle .
price limit !
used for ie stalking or long range .
moa rings.
Its like asking do you like marmite . :rofl:
 
I use Talley lightweight alloy one piece mounts, saves a good bit of weight compared to chunky steel bases and mounts.
 
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