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Aluminum vs. Steel scope rings |
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GuitarDude
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/18/2015 Location: Napa Ca. Status: Offline Points: 8 |
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Posted: February/23/2015 at 15:35 |
I just bought these Remington scope mounts that are made out of Z2 alloy. I should have done more research. Because after I ordered them I was reading in the Ultimate Sniper book and it states " Soft alloys have a different hardness and density than a rifle receiver's steel, they'll expand and contract at different rate, leading to your scope ever so slightly twist away from zero.
Should I just send them back? Why do they even make them in anything other than steel? |
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Breath,Relax,Aim,Sight alignment, Sight picture, Slow steady squeeze.
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cheaptrick
MODERATOR Joined: September/27/2004 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20844 |
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I have aluminum and steel.
I'm an advocate for Talley light weight mounts. Aluminum but tough as nails, look good, and are ridiculously inexpensive. |
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Skytrash
Optics Apprentice Joined: October/07/2014 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 79 |
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Competition Benchrest shooters tend to explore every advantage, no matter how extreme to give themselves what they perceive as a slight advantage. This would include everything from scientific to occult obsessions It's tough to argue with success, but I tend to take it all with a grain of salt. You will quickly learn in this hobby that 10 different experts will generate 7 different opinions on what is best. If you were putting 10,000 rounds a year down range, maybe it would make a difference. In the end it's the Indian; not the arrow that makes the shot. The guy that puts 10k rounds/year down range will beat you because he practices. I use both aluminum and steel, and I think both work fine (IMHO). |
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I wish I was now, what I was, when I wished I was what I am now.
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cheaptrick
MODERATOR Joined: September/27/2004 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20844 |
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Or in Guitardude's case, "it's the musician, not the song".
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13181 |
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I am not sure I would read too much into that. Thermal coefficient expansion of aluminum alloys is indeed higher than that of steel, but considering the dimensions and temperatures involved, it makes no difference whatsoever for a riflescope. Besides, the body of a riflescope is also made out of aluminum. You can do the math yourself if you'd like. Typical thermal expansion coefficient for 6061 aluminum alloy is 23.6 microns for each meter of length per degree C. For mild steel, it is around 13 microns for each meter of length per degree C. All you have to do is figure out the dimension of the components you think will be expanding and calculate the requisite expanded dimensions for whatever temperature range you think your mounts will be subjected to. ILya |
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Sgt. D
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: February/20/2008 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 4525 |
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Unless you are making major climate swings the issue is mute anyway. The receiver simply isn't going to heat up like the barrel. I've seen M-249 barrels start to glow a dual cherry and the receiver wasn't near that hot. You don't need to be too concerned about a bolt action or semi-auto for that matter. The main thing whether aluminum or steel is the quality and attention to detail of the manufacturer. I've seen some low end aluminum bases be pretty far from spec (and some steel, just not as often). Be sure to use blue lock tight and proper torque on the rings and base screws and you should be fine. You can now find it a Lowe's if you don't have any.
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Take care of Soldiers, Show em how its done and do it with em, Run to the Fight & and hold your ground! I die my men go home! If you're a NCO and this ain't you. GET OUT! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
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GuitarDude
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/18/2015 Location: Napa Ca. Status: Offline Points: 8 |
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Thanks everybody! that makes me feel better about it.
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Breath,Relax,Aim,Sight alignment, Sight picture, Slow steady squeeze.
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billyburl2
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: January/08/2009 Location: Cottonwood, AZ Status: Offline Points: 4015 |
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The design and how well the rings are made have much greater impact on their performance than materials do. The only exception to this is I have seen aluminum fail on big recoil rifles.
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If it is tourist season, why can't we shoot them?
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Sgt. D
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: February/20/2008 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 4525 |
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+1 Another thing I have seen is on "cheap" bases the screw holes can be much larger than the screws. This allows the manufacturer to be less precise with their alignment. But also allows the base to be seated off center and or move under heavy recoil. A quality set of bases will have fairly tight tolerances with their alignment and screw sets. Just something to consider when shoppin ring and bases. A belated Welcome to the OT!! |
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Take care of Soldiers, Show em how its done and do it with em, Run to the Fight & and hold your ground! I die my men go home! If you're a NCO and this ain't you. GET OUT! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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Also keep in mind that book is very dated. The math still works, but the technology is 30 years old. Look at the list of optics in the book, and compare that to the best of the best today.
There is MUCH more to sweat than differences in metal expansion/contraction.
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