Scope Mounts: Opinions?

for the recoil and the scope being a leupold i would do the dual dovetail rings or leupold std rings.

First of all I think you made a fantastic choice on the scope. I believe either mount option will work equally well if the rust issue is not considered and I can’t speak to that.

Hillman,,,have you ever used DNZ scope rings? Its all I buy!

Do a search for your gun,,,Im sure you will like them!

https://www.dnzproducts.com/game-reaper/

I own or have owned all three options mentioned, and Id go Talley, but that's personal preference. I feel when properly installed any of the above will do a good job.

Another option would be Weaver (or Warne) bases, and Warne rings. They are my favorite general use rings right now.

Warne are my favorite rings and bases too but as LoonWulf states they all work just fine.

For alloy my vote is for Talley. If not, then Weaver bases and Warne.

hillman23 said:

Hey Loon, what mounts do you currently have on your 375 build?

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Talley's but with my longer than average lop, and longer than average action, the scopes not quite far enough back....I'm probably going to have to get an...ugghhhh.....full length pic rail. (I see you giggling Skyler)

I’ve used a lot of rings in my sordid history from Weaver, Tasco, Burris, Talley, TPS, ARMS, Leupold, Millett, Rock River, Warne, Bushnell, CenterPoint, and even unbranded stuff.

Some have failed miserably and the ones I previously mentioned have performed for decades.

My current favorite, available in alloy or steel, TPS, .22lr


Warne on my Model 70, 30-06, now replaced due to scope swap.


ARMS throw levers, very nice stuff IMO but steel and $$$, 30-06


My go-to standard and affordable, Burris, .22lr


More Burris, .22lr


CVA 1-piece mount (l) on .44mag, Burris (r) on .357mag.


Talley, .22lr


Double Warne for a pair of 6.5s.


One of my least favorite (now removed) Leupold QRW T/C muzzleloader.

I can’t stand Millett.

Dovetail rings are one of the weakest systems. You get a tiny metal stud on the ring that fits into a dovetail slot in the base. This is the least amount of contact between the ring and base of any system. You will NEVER see this system used on a rifle meant to be accurate.

Something that fits into a slotted base is going to be the strongest mount. On a hunting rifle I like the Burris z rings in a Weaver style base if you want steel. But almost all of my rifles have Talley lightweights. They were initially designed by Melvin Forbes and his Ultra Light Arms rifles. They were designed to work on a 6 lb 300 WM, they are plenty strong enough. Since the bottom half of the ring is also the base they are much tougher than steel dovetail mounts. The only issues I've ever known of happened when users over tightened the upper ring and broke a ring.

How about Buehler? Since the Leupold isn't 30mm, it should be reasonable to find some Buehler mounts for it.

I think Leupold dovetails are fine.

Got a pic of this gun? It’s a great rifle. I used to have one with Leupold dovetails on it.

Now I’d got with Talley verticals or Warne verticals if i was going to be more economical.

hillman23 said:

I've taken no decent pics of it but I did just purchase Leupold dual dovetail rings and bases. My brother lives a couple hours away and has all the equipment to properly mount it so hopefully I'll get down to him soon and get it done. Weather permitting, I'll try and send some shots down range as well. I'll send some photos soon.

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Look forward to it.


What mounts did you choose?

id get the talleys.

Looks good!
Just to be safe just make sure your rings arnt on the taper of the objective bell. Its easy to catch the very bottom of the taper.

hillman23 said:

I recently came to posses a stainless Model 70 classic chambered in 338 win mag. I'm looking into mounting options for a Leupold VX-3i 2.5-8X36. I think I've narrowed things down to Leupold dual dovetail rings and bases or Talley Lightweight Alloy Scope Mounts. I have a pretty good idea what I'm getting with Leupolds and like most things about them but I don't love that they seem to rust very easily here in the Wet Coast of Oregon. Anybody have experience with the Talley mounts? How well do they stand up to relatively heavy recoil? Opinions and experiences with either or both would be welcome. I wouldn't mind hearing alternative options, as well. Thanks.

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Talley's are good choice as are DN Gamereaper if you are ok with fixed as they eliminate mount to ring movement being beefy one piece. My Gamereaper have never loosened on heavy recoil guns or dragged around hunting. If you want to keep a back up scope that's pre sighted in or want to use the irons if all else fails a high grade Pic rail and heavy duty rings are the way to go with Warne Maxi steel mounts a little trimmer but he'll for Stout. That.338 has considerable recoil. I hunted one for almost two decades.