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Advantage of rings & base vs lightweight rings?

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AskDrTodd View Drop Down
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    Posted: December/08/2009 at 19:13
I'm trying to find a good thread on here detailing the advantage of rings & base vs just rings, I have a Savage 300 win mag and just purchased a (lightstream from jonbravado http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=19945) scope from a member on here, looking forward to upgrading my rings.  I'm considering going with the lightweight talley rings that fit specific to my Savage (16FHSS) from SWFA, but I want to be sure that's the best route for me rather than going with separate rings and base.  Can someone point me in the right direction?

Thanks!!
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RONK View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RONK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/08/2009 at 20:38
 Well, the biggest advantage to a ring/base system is probably that most of them allow relatively easy scope removal or swapping from one rifle to another with similar bases.
 Another advantage is that some bases have elevation bias built into them to tilt the scope tube downward in relation to the bore to allow for very long range shooting without running out of elevation adjustment in the scope turrets.
 A few base types have windage adjustability, to compensate for a rifle that has its' mounting screw holes drilled off-center or otherwise poorly aligned to the barrel..
 The"Lightweight Rings" you refer to are commonly called ringmounts, and they work quite well, but most of them require disassembly from the scope tube in order to remove the scope from the rifle.
 I personally think that most hunters would be very well served by a decent set of ringmounts if they choose a suitable scope for thier uses in the first place.
 There aren't too many legitimate reasons to dismount a scope from a good rifle that has a good scope mounted to it- unless you do a lot of testing of various scopes, for example, or something on that order.
 That said, Weaver/Picatinny base systems are my personal favorite for all-around versatility and simplicity. They don't look all that great on some rifles though, especially classic sporters.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AskDrTodd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/08/2009 at 21:44
well I've just been looking for a high quality (while staying at/below $500) setup, I don't use the rifle enough to justify more than that.  If the ring/base system is likely to be a solid, dependable setup for 300yd & less shooting, I think I'll go that route. 

RONK, I appreciate your input!  I hope to put this scope on the rifle and keep it for many moons to come, I'm not an avid hunter, just an occasional paper target shooter that would like the ability to go hunting in the future if some friends extend an invite, etc.  The 300 winny mag seems like it's both accurate and powerful, and the one I purchased was never fired and I've put only a few rounds thru it, 90% of which were just to sight in the previous scope. 

I believe I'll be getting the talley lightweight low mounts, any possibility that I'll need medium height mounts using the scope that JonBravado sold me?  I'd rather not have to order twice haha!

Thanks again



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RONK View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RONK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/09/2009 at 10:17

Originally posted by AskDrTodd AskDrTodd wrote:

well I've just been looking for a high quality (while staying at/below $500) setup, I don't use the rifle enough to justify more than that.  If the ring/base system is likely to be a solid, dependable setup for 300yd & less shooting, I think I'll go that route. 

RONK, I appreciate your input!  I hope to put this scope on the rifle and keep it for many moons to come, I'm not an avid hunter, just an occasional paper target shooter that would like the ability to go hunting in the future if some friends extend an invite, etc.  The 300 winny mag seems like it's both accurate and powerful, and the one I purchased was never fired and I've put only a few rounds thru it, 90% of which were just to sight in the previous scope. 

I believe I'll be getting the talley lightweight low mounts, any possibility that I'll need medium height mounts using the scope that JonBravado sold me?  I'd rather not have to order twice haha!

Thanks again



 Just to clarify something - in my previous post, I used the term ring/base system to describe a multiple component system with the rings seperate units from the bases.

  Your response is a bit contradictory to itself by the use of that tem, but I gather that you decided to get the Talley ringmounts; correct?
 I think that would be a fine choice, and I would go with the medium height. I think the low ones might not clear. At least the mediums would allow you to get it up and running, and if you measured the gap between barrel and scope objective bell and determined then that lows would in fact work, and that you would prefer them, you could then sell the mediums on the Sample List.
  
Edited to add:
I just realized that your rifle does not have a real heavy barrel, and reevaluted the situation to determine that LOW rings should work fine.
 Sorry for any confusion.
 
 
 
 


Edited by RONK - December/09/2009 at 10:23
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AskDrTodd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/09/2009 at 13:43
Great, thanks!!  I'll order them on payday :)
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RONK View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RONK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/09/2009 at 19:19
 Glad to help; hope they work out well for you and keep us posted as it all comes together!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/09/2009 at 20:31
One of the advantages to having separate rings & bases is that you have more options for dealing with "problem" setups like short scope mounting length.  With a fixed ringmount, if your scope's tube length is too short for your action length, they may not work.  With separate bases and rings, you have the option of offset bases, offset rings, or you can select different combinations of rings and bases from different manufacturers to fit your scope's length.
 
Another advantage to separate rings & bases is that you have more mount height possibilities simply because you have more choices in both base thickness and ring height.  If you choose either the "turn in" or Picatinny/ Weaver style rings and bases, you have a choice of multiple manufacturers whose rings and bases are interchangeable with one another.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RONK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/09/2009 at 21:10
Originally posted by RifleDude RifleDude wrote:

One of the advantages to having separate rings & bases is that you have more options for dealing with "problem" setups like short scope mounting length.  With a fixed ringmount, if your scope's tube length is too short for your action length, they may not work.  With separate bases and rings, you have the option of offset bases, offset rings, or you can select different combinations of rings and bases from different manufacturers to fit your scope's length.
 
Another advantage to separate rings & bases is that you have more mount height possibilities simply because you have more choices in both base thickness and ring height.  If you choose either the "turn in" or Picatinny/ Weaver style rings and bases, you have a choice of multiple manufacturers whose rings and bases are interchangeable with one another.
 
  Well, in this case the Talley ringmounts he chose for his Savage 116 ARE reversible, ( both front and rear), for a lot of mounting versatility, unless I am missing something.
 And he still has three height options to choose from, so I don't believe he's really at any real disadvantage by going to this simple, solid system.
Choosing the correct height the first time should be the only real tricky part, and again, I'm not sure myself.
 
 
 (Also- double-check scope tube diameter- 30mm. vs. 1-inch for the correct ring size!)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AskDrTodd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/10/2009 at 08:15
well I'm looking at these two but can't tell which to go with.  I have the newer 16FHSS (short action, not the 116 with the long action) with the accutrigger.

http://swfa.com/Talley-Lightweight-Aluminum-30mm-Scopemount-P8385.aspx

http://swfa.com/Talley-Lightweight-Aluminum-30mm-Scopemount-P11470.aspx
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RONK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/10/2009 at 09:47
 Those two are probably the same product; they are listed more than once because they fit more than one brand of rifle, I guess.
 Action length should not matter in your case; all it means is that the rings will end up a little closer together by an amount equal to the difference in length between long and short actions of the Savage name.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: December/10/2009 at 17:30
Originally posted by RONK RONK wrote:

  Well, in this case the Talley ringmounts he chose for his Savage 116 ARE reversible, ( both front and rear), for a lot of mounting versatility, unless I am missing something.
 And he still has three height options to choose from, so I don't believe he's really at any real disadvantage by going to this simple, solid system.
Choosing the correct height the first time should be the only real tricky part, and again, I'm not sure myself.
 
 
 (Also- double-check scope tube diameter- 30mm. vs. 1-inch for the correct ring size!)
 
 
Yes, they are reversable, and that does help.  But, even so, you still have more flexible options for dealing with short scope tubes and varying heights with separate rings & bases, if for no other reason than you have more choices. 
 
Having said all that, as long as they fit your setup, the Talley Lightweight rings are great rings, and I can't recommend them enough!
Ted


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AskDrTodd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/02/2010 at 14:44
Well, I went to test fit the scope to them before taking them to a professional to be installed and it looks like the low mounts are too low for the lightstream :(

with both rings inward it has almost no play with my ability to move the scope back and forth too, is this bad?  How is SWFA with their exchange policy?

Should I just go with the same talley's in medium height or do I need to consider a separate rail & rings mounting system?

here are pics showing the clearance, etc







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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AskDrTodd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/02/2010 at 14:46
oops, pics didn't work

<IMG>http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/4107/img1870i.jpg</IMG>
<IMG>http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/6278/img1871w.jpg</IMG>
<IMG>http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/9027/img1872d.jpg</IMG>

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AskDrTodd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/02/2010 at 14:49
OK, I suck at this, I'm sorry.  One last try.




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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AskDrTodd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/03/2010 at 00:09
pleeze someone?  :)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cowski Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/17/2010 at 18:00
get weaver mounts and medium leupold rings for weaver mounts . i have had good luck with these for years  
never corner something meaner than you are jbc
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RONK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/17/2010 at 18:13
 Sorry I failed to keep up with this thread.
 I can't tell for certain by the pics, but it looks as though everything will clear, though it sure is close.
 If eye-relief works for you in that position, you may be OK.
 If not, I'd go straight to a one-piece TPS rail and Weaver-style Medium height rings. Leupold's PRW or QRW rings are a good example...
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