Aesthetics or Functionality

[rabbithole]

As a newby I get to ask some really dumb questions without too much backlash. While my new 2500X is being assembled, I have been looking at accessories needed to complete the gun. I really don't like the look of the full picatinny rail, looks too large for the action. I did see a dovetail mount that is aesthetically pleasing but, how functional are they. Seems the selection of scope rings with a dovetail base are really limited. What base mounts are all y'all using?

 

[jds holler]

I've been known to take the full length pic rail, and lop the middle section out after I see where I like the rings and sure that everything mounts up nice and true. I like having a more accessible loading port for fat finners. jd

 

[CharlieNC]

I run a pic on mine, more options for rings.

 

[rabbithole]

I've been known to take the full length pic rail, and lop the middle section out after I see where I like the rings and sure that everything mounts up nice and true. I like having a more accessible loading port for fat finners. jd

I was wondering if that is an option, just remove the portions not used. Both forward and aft are pinned and screwed into the action?

 

[steve210]

Most everyone in srbr runs dovetail bases or one piece rings. That is cf so i don't think they would be a problem in rf

 

[J_Hensley]

I'm not sure what the consensus is on them here, but I like the DNZ Game Reaper 1 pc mount.

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dnzproducts.com

 

[GetReal]

Function is # 1, but Ive always found a way to make functional guns look ggoooodddd....

All my guns run great. And theres no ugly guns in my safe

 

[jds holler]

I was wondering if that is an option, just remove the portions not used. Both forward and aft are pinned and screwed into the action?

Yeah, I like this for a hunting rifle, and I'll even use the cut-out area for carrying with the scope as a handle. (y'all can beat me up if ya want) - I wouldn't do it until I figure I've found the final scope for that gun though.

For a rifle that's likely to use different scopes, or spend its life as a bench gun, I'll usually leave the rail intact. It just gives you more options, and possibly more repeatable alignment. jd

 

[rabbithole]

I see picatinny rails are available with various MOA slopes. I know some rings have this as an option also. I cannot see where MOA variations are available in dovetail rails for rings. Could be a determining factor on my direction.

 

[VLNBYR]

Unless you need a bunch of moa in your base there is no advantage to the pic rail that I can see other than they are more ugly.

 

[GetReal]

Unless you need a bunch of moa in your base there is no advantage to the pic rail that I can see other than they are more ugly.

Picatinny is pure beauty !

 

[jds holler]

Picatinny is pure practicality, and beauty --- well, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder said the old man as he kissed his cow. jd

 

[charlie b]

I like the old claw mounts, but, only if integrated into the receiver. Only way I could get one was a custom action.

 

[BowChamp]

Function over looks.

 

[Rockingham]

10 years ago you never saw a pic rail on a benchrest gun. they were all individual bases and rings. it was probably the growth of .22lr in PRS and NRL that began introducing rails on rimfires.

 

[MarkS]

I like a full pic rail so I can place the rings any where I need. I am a long range steel shooter. I have all of my 22lr's set up with 20MOA rail and Burris XTR Signature for a total of 50MOA. With a Vortex Strike Eagle with 110MOA of travel, I can zero at 50yds and dial to 500yds.
If you are building a 50yds /100yds bench gun you want need that much adjustment. The full rail makes a more rigid setup. The Signature ring with insert will not ring mark you scopes. That is all I use now for any scope.

 

[ELR LVR]

Unless you need a bunch of moa in your base there is no advantage to the pic rail that I can see other than they are more ugly.

the nice thing is, you can remove or replace a scope in about 1 minute
and it stays zeroed
really handy for doing things like barrel swaps(using the barrell vise) or the like
---
loosen 2 nuts, the scopes off, place back on rail, tighten nuts back down, zeroed

 

[ddkearney]

FWIW, of course everyone has their opinion....

I've used both - dovetail mounts with 2-piece rings, and also a pic rail with Burris XTR Signature rings.
I've been using the pic/Burris combo more often - no ring marks on expensive scopes. And that's on my 50 yd RFBR rifles. Although I don't switch scopes between rifles, the pic rail setup would allow you to use your scope on more than one rifle with minimal sight-in frustration.

Don