What is the best mount system???

[Big joe]

What are the pros and cons of the different scope mount systems for a centerfire bolt rifle??? I've had the weaver system and I've had the leupold system on various rifles. Is one better than the other, if so... why? Tell me your opinions.... Thanks

[Dom]

A lot of it is personal preference and how much you want to spend on the mounts. For my taste, I like the EAW swing mounts. Solid return to zero and takes a good knock without losing zero. Also depends on the application. I've got some Leupold QR mounts on a Rem 7400 where I can switch between a scope and a Holosight in seconds, so far so good. I can't really think of a drawback on having swing off mounts, other than they're a few ounces heavier. I know a lot of folks use the Weaver rail, but I've never liked the looks so don't have any of them. I also have a Claw mount on a Drilling, excellent, but it comes with a steep price tag -- was on it when I bought it, good system, jmho, Waidmannsheil, Dom.

[fabsroman]

Personally, I like the Burris Signature rings. I have tried Weaver and Leupold, but the Burris Signature rings come with rubber inserts that help grab the scope and prevent it from slipping. The inserts also help with scope marring. Last but not least, the special rubber inserts can be ordered to move the point of impact up, down, left or right without using any adjustment on the scope. As you probably know, a scope lets the most light through (i.e., clearest image) when the windage and elevation knobs are in the dead center.

The only drawback is that the Burris Signature ring system for the Rugers looks like crap. Hence, I am still using the Ruger rings on my Ruger rifles.

[Jack]

Big Joe, both the Weaver and the Leupold are proven designs that work just fine for most applications.
Fabs has a good point about the Burris rings- the plastic insert is a clever and useful feature.
Dom has a good point about the Leupold QD's too- that quick change feature can come in handy.
Personally, I like Conetrol mounts- very sleek, lots of horizontal adjustment in both front and rear, and they allow you to take scopes on and off very easily, and return them to zero (if ya know how to do it). Unfortunately, not cheap, tho
I guess the point is, there's lotsa good ones, pick what appeals to you.
I will give you one piece of advice: if you're starting your shooting career, and you plan to get several more rifles over the next several years, pick one scope mounting system, and use the same system on all of them. Down the line, that will make scope switching a very easy job. Why? For example, I have a 6-20X scope I use for load work up- it's in Conetrol rings, ready to go. When I wanna get serious about some load work up, I can put that scope on any of my rifles. Makes doing fine target work a lot easier than with the 1-4x scope that might be on a brush gun, for example.

[jon lynn]

I have had the EAW mounts, pricey as heck! But it was a real gem to have. Although scope swapping is very easy, but in Utah it may be hard to find and expensive.

I like Warne bases, and Burris Zee rings. But I have had just as good results with Weaver bases and mounts, and I mean the aluminum ones.

The old Redfield/Leupold standard bases are excellent also, but if you switch scopes a lot, it is not as practical IMHO. The windage screws are no fun to mess with if you swap scopes, and I change scopes like a woman changes shoes. But if you are a one scope man, for a specific rifle, the standard ring and base are a winner.

The only mounting system I really didn't like was the Millett rings and bases. To me the rings weren't machined very well, and the Weaver style bases were hollowed out and not solid. Although many hunters love the Angle-Lock rings, but to me they say "Bend me please" to a scope tube.

The Aimpoint don't impress me much either, but that is just me.

But Dom has the best advice ..................A lot of it is personal preference and how much you want to spend on the mounts.

[Mike Moss]

I sure wish that there was one best mount system. Over the years I have accumulated and used many types from the basic Weaver thru German claws.

At the moment I have switched more rifles back to the Weaver bases. The thing is that I like to switch scopes around and also at least be able to use iron sights and the Weaver base is very low yet strong.

I have some one off custom mounts as well and for the money I like the Weaver Quad Lock at the moment. I have a burr under my saddle about the gushing over Talley mounts and yes I have them too.

[fabsroman]

Is that a Weaver double mount?

Not to high jack this thread, but what is the difference between a picatinny rail and the Weaver rails? Can I use Weaver mounts on a picatinny rail?

I am probably going to get an AR-10 and AR-15 towards the end of spring and I am starting to think about the scopes and scope mounts that I want to use. I am always a couple of steps ahead of myself.

[Mike Moss]

Thats the Weaver Quad Lock that came out in 2004. The Weaver site is not that up to date, don't know whats wrong with them these days?

Anyway those rings are just like the regular tried and true rings but instead of the steel top strap they have two straps of aluminum. Those rings hold a scope even better than the old rings and only cost $9 at Walmart <---- where have I read that before?

Check on AR and some guys have been using that ring on big bores with great success.

As far as I know the Picatiney and Weaver are the same fit wise. I have a Farrell base and it uses Weaver style rings.

Those quad locks are only in high so far but what with the high comb on Kimbers it's a perfect fit and they are very light weight along with being easily detachable.