OpticsTalk by SWFA, Inc. Homepage SWFA     SampleList.com
Forum Home Forum Home > Mounts & Accessories > Rings and bases
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Steel w/ Steel Alum w/ Alum?
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials.

Steel w/ Steel Alum w/ Alum?

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
RotoReuter_DM View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice
Avatar

Joined: December/09/2011
Location: WI
Status: Offline
Points: 296
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RotoReuter_DM Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Steel w/ Steel Alum w/ Alum?
    Posted: February/07/2012 at 22:08
Is it always a good idea to put steel base with steel ring? Or can you miss match the steel with alum?  
Old Mil ftw
Back to Top
RotoReuter_DM View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice
Avatar

Joined: December/09/2011
Location: WI
Status: Offline
Points: 296
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RotoReuter_DM Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/08/2012 at 10:24
Nevermind Aadmounts website answered my question.
Old Mil ftw
Back to Top
Bitterroot Bulls View Drop Down
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Avatar

Joined: May/07/2009
Location: Montana
Status: Offline
Points: 3416
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/08/2012 at 11:09
Originally posted by RotoReuter_DM RotoReuter_DM wrote:

Nevermind Aadmounts website answered my question.


So what was the answer from Aadland? I couldn't find it on the website.

I had always heard aluminum rings are GTG on both steel and aluminum bases, but steel rings should go on steel bases. I would trust JonA's take on it, though, could you update?
-Matt
Back to Top
RotoReuter_DM View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice
Avatar

Joined: December/09/2011
Location: WI
Status: Offline
Points: 296
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RotoReuter_DM Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/08/2012 at 11:13
You're correct alum can go on steel or titanium bases. It actually says on their site that their mounts are most impressive on steel or titanium bases because aluminum can flex.
Old Mil ftw
Back to Top
Jon A View Drop Down
Optics Journeyman
Optics Journeyman
Avatar

Joined: March/14/2008
Location: Everett, WA
Status: Offline
Points: 670
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jon A Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/08/2012 at 15:04
Actually that was referring to how little deflection happens between zero and torqued--you can feel the difference in material with different rails.

Anyway, aluminum rails are generally most likely to be damaged by rings, usually the cheaper ones without a quality hard coating.  And since steel rings are harder, they can be more likely to mark one up all else being equal.  Of course all is rarely equal so it isn't that simple.  The design of the rings is most important.

Rings like mine could be made from Ti or steel and it would have zero affect--they still wouldn't damage a soft rail.  A rounded surface on the clamp instead of a sharp edge, a ton of bearing surface on the lugs to spread out the recoil force, etc, keeps them from damaging the rail and making them from steel wouldn't change that.

On the other hand, especially with heavy recoiling rifles, many cheaper weaver-style steel and aluminum rings use a round crossbolt that can dent the recoil groove on the base.  A sharp edge on the clamp can also leave a mark. 

Even some high quality stuff can do it with enough recoil--I had a pair of badgers put dents on a (really soft) base on my 300 RUM with a heavy scope.  There just wasn't enough bearing area on the crossbolts to spread the load out enough.  This is one of the reasons I designed my rings the way I did.

In short, with a steel or Ti base you really don't have to worry about it.  I also like those for general durability--I like to permanently bed bases to the rifle so using one less easily dented or scratched from abuse makes sense.  They also add a bit more stiffness to the action.

Ti is expensive though and steel is heavy, so aluminum is a good choice for many who are saving ounces.  Just keep in mind you need to pay a bit more attention to your ring choice--design more importantly than material--if you do use one, especially on a really heavy kicker.

All that above is for picatinny bases.  For weaver bases, you've got a round slot so rings like mine don't work.  You're kind of screwed in trying to spread that load out.  For a weaver base on a heavy kicker, I'd always go steel regardless of rings to be used.
Back to Top
RotoReuter_DM View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice
Avatar

Joined: December/09/2011
Location: WI
Status: Offline
Points: 296
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RotoReuter_DM Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/08/2012 at 15:23
Thanks Jon you make more sense than their website! I'm going to go with a steel base and the addmount medium aluminum rings. Putting that on my savage 308 when the new SS fixed are out. I had looked at the TPS steel kit but the addmount just look intense haha.
Old Mil ftw
Back to Top
RotoReuter_DM View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice
Avatar

Joined: December/09/2011
Location: WI
Status: Offline
Points: 296
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RotoReuter_DM Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/08/2012 at 15:23
Aadmount*
Old Mil ftw
Back to Top
Bitterroot Bulls View Drop Down
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Optics Master Extraordinaire
Avatar

Joined: May/07/2009
Location: Montana
Status: Offline
Points: 3416
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/08/2012 at 16:25
Thanks from me, also Jon.

-Matt
Back to Top
Jon A View Drop Down
Optics Journeyman
Optics Journeyman
Avatar

Joined: March/14/2008
Location: Everett, WA
Status: Offline
Points: 670
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jon A Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/08/2012 at 17:14
No problem guys.  RotoReuter, since all those scopes will have 42mm objectives, you should have no problem using lows if you want. 
Back to Top
RotoReuter_DM View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice
Avatar

Joined: December/09/2011
Location: WI
Status: Offline
Points: 296
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RotoReuter_DM Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/08/2012 at 19:34
Thanks again! Greatly appreciated
Old Mil ftw
Back to Top
Kickboxer View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Moderator

Joined: February/13/2008
Status: Offline
Points: 23679
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/08/2012 at 19:49
RotoReuter... Jon A is being modest. He IS Aadamount...

I've always shied away from aluminum rings, but when I run out of rings on hand or have a special need for rings that will perform in the most adverse conditions on a new rifle, I'm going to try out the Aadamount rings.  I've never used them, but I've seen the drawings Jon published on the OT right after release.  I've been intrigued ever since.  
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.

There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living
Back to Top
RotoReuter_DM View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice
Avatar

Joined: December/09/2011
Location: WI
Status: Offline
Points: 296
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RotoReuter_DM Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/09/2012 at 07:45
Yea regardless I think I'm going to try them aswell. Seems to me they are just too big to be terrible. I like the idea of actual screws tightening the plate against the rails not a hand knob with a small plate like some rings I see on the market. Thanks kick
Old Mil ftw
Back to Top
Kickboxer View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Moderator

Joined: February/13/2008
Status: Offline
Points: 23679
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/09/2012 at 16:11
Everyone I know who has used them has nothing but good to say about them.  People I trust...
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.

There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living
Back to Top
RotoReuter_DM View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice
Avatar

Joined: December/09/2011
Location: WI
Status: Offline
Points: 296
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RotoReuter_DM Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February/09/2012 at 16:52
That's good to hear they will be a top my tactical style build as soon as that long awaited SS mil/mil is out...
Old Mil ftw
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.873 seconds.