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
---
also it is good to be aware that...if say you have to do some work on the gun, that requires using punches
maybe punching out trigger pins
scopes recoil spring is not arranged to handle side load that well,
Many G's front and back to handle recoil yes, but not sideways recoil
---
and beating on the side of the gun like that
CAN possible throw some things off inside the scope
so it's nice to be able to remove the scope real quick before taking a hammer to the side
VS having to undo rings, mess up the scopes position and level
have to remount, level and tighten rings back down etc
So you ensure further safety of your scope by not inducing side trauma to it
---
I recently for example, did some work on a Rem 760 and tried to get the front plunger off
which required punching the pin out sideways, which did not want to budge
even after heating and beating,
not removing an irreplaceable Nikon Monarch would have been a risky gamble to put it through that

 

[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

 

[TRSR8]

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.

No, as much as anything a bunch of new BR shooters that don’t understand KISS.

 

[GetReal]

J

No, as much as anything a bunch of new BR shooters that don’t understand KISS.

Whats complicated about a pic rail ? Its fewer pieces than dovetails. It allows more mounting flexibility.