aluminum vs steel scope base

[OIF/OEF]

I am looking at scope bases for a flat back savage long action. Are the steel bases for this type of action worth the extra money. Do they help make the action more rigid. I just cant justify the $$$$ for the steel ones


Very Respectfully

 

[fredhorace77]

IMO scope bases are not going to make a difference in the stiffness of the action. if any given action is weak to the point that it has to rely on a scope base to make it stiffer, u need to look for a different action. i personally choose aluminum for the light weight property.

 

[OIF/OEF]

I was laughing about my question after you said that. I was picturing the action flexing after a shot looking like a banana and then straightening back out but the magical fix would be a steel one piece base but if you order now you would get another one at no cost just cover handling and shipping charges.... Late night TV infomercial for a quick fix if your action is flexing under magnum loads LOL


Very Respectfully

 

[fredhorace77]

lol. i know what u mean. truthfully in theory it should help...or at least not hurt the action. but honestly i really think it doesnt make a difference. although, if it makes u feel more confident with the gun then i would purchase whatever makes u more confident. I have found that when a shooter is really confident in his equipment, it relieves alot of stress and anxiety. sometimes just having that piece of mind is priceless.

 

[OIF/OEF]

Ya know what those little screws that mount the base are tine if the action flexed I figure they would bend or break and as much as I take my gear apart I would notice this...Im still laughing in my mind its like Elmer Fud with a bent up rifle. Hey I could invent a scope base that also wedges in between the front and back of the action opening when mounted to REALLY stiffen things up


Very Respectfully

 

[Alex Wheeler]

A steel base will make the action stiffer. I remember an article in Precision Shooting where the flex was measured. But, the real question is how exactly does a stiffer action improve accuracy, or does it really matter?

 

[Uthink Uknow]

People who would measure the flex in an action and then write about it need to find something important to do.

 

[dkhunt14]

People who would measure the flex in an action and then write about it need to find something important to do.

It has to do with accuracy especially at long range. How do you think things are learned? Matt

 

[Larryh128]

Unless I'm trying to take ounces off of a rifle, I will normally use steel bases only because they are stronger and can withstand something totally out of your control. If the aluminum bases were made out of 7000 series aluminum, I would use them every time. Most of the aluminum bases are extruded which puts you into the 6000 series which is still good but not up to steel strength.

 

[M-61]

I am a bit lost on this. Once the lugs from the bolt are locked in the front of the action to me that is the end of any stress or flexing, or need for additional support. To go one step further say in a Blaser or Heym in which the lugs (or their version) lock in the barrel I would think the action could be made of plastic as it is merely a guide for the bolt. In an American type action what is happening to the action or bolt aft of the locked lugs? My question is what am I not understanding here?

 

[Phil]

If the aluminum bases were made out of 7000 series aluminum, I would use them every time. Most of the aluminum bases are extruded which puts you into the 6000 series which is still good but not up to steel strength.

THIS^^^^^^^^^^ 8)

 

[wedgy]

I've wondered about this too but for a little different reason; the difference in expansion of the different metals. Scope is aluminum, rings and bases can be aluminum, steel, or titanium and the receiver can be steel or titanium. Temps here have ranged from 17-114 degrees, not that I shoot when it's that hot or cold.

 

[Larryh128]

If the bolt locks into the barrel, not the action, You could really make the receiver out of anything strong enough to support the barrel threads and the scope bases under recoil & not flop around. Case in point are AR receivers, more than strong enough for the job required although many but not all are 7000 series aluminum which is very strong but many are 6000 series and do just fine. Also shotgun receivers are mainly aluminum now although they aren't subject to rifle pressures.

 

[Uthink Uknow]

I'm with M-61 and Larry.

 

[dkhunt14]

I am a bit lost on this. Once the lugs from the bolt are locked in the front of the action to me that is the end of any stress or flexing, or need for additional support. To go one step further say in a Blaser or Heym in which the lugs (or their version) lock in the barrel I would think the action could be made of plastic as it is merely a guide for the bolt. In an American type action what is happening to the action or bolt aft of the locked lugs? My question is what am I not understanding here?

If you look at a Remington with the big cutout on top and you hang a 30 inch 1.250 or so barrel on it. Now the action which is bedded to the stock is hanging the barrel from the front of it. Any vibrations heat or other forces are applied when firing. If you have a one piece scope base screwed fast on both ends it is like a truss or bridge. If you think it makes no difference why are some of the most accurate guns taking the action out of the equation by putting the barrel in a block. Look at the rail guns and the heavy guns in 1000 yard shooting. Matt

 

[Alex Wheeler]

A more interesting question is steel vs aluminum actions.

 

[johara1]

I think i will go make some pop corn……….. jim

 

[CSM19Z5M]

I guess there are degrees of difference in everything but I just don't see how a good set of aluminum mounts are going to make any measurable difference in accuracy. Most aluminum mounts are substantial enough to take a lot of abuse and keep on performing as intended. If overall weight is a factor then buy aluminum mounts. As for rigidity of the action, most bolts lock up in the barrel and the rest of the action merely suffices for mechanical cycling and as a method of securing the action and barrel to the stock. I fail to see how the scope and mounts would make any difference. We all know that in theory, if you throw a twenty pound rock in your car trunk the vehicle should get some degree of less miles per gallon over the same car without the rock but is the degree of difference of any value or even measurable without very sophisticated equipment? I doubt it. Frankly, if you are using an action that is not built sufficiently to take the load of a heavy barrel hanging on it without flexing then you shouldn't depend on the mounts to stiffen it for you. Buy the mounts that you have confidence in and go shoot and enjoy yourself.

 

[fredhorace77]

i will say this....if a one piece scope base makes an action any more rigid, it will only do that based on the strength of those little threads on the scope base screws. if u have flex and its greater than the strength of those screw threads it doesnt matter what the scope base is made out of, those screws are going to tear out.

 

[dkhunt14]

Fred you are looking at it the wrong way. If you have the high aluminum bases and the screws go down through and are tight it helps keep the action from flexing. The pull is from front to back and just like trusses or bridges. Look at the floor joists where they take a flat 2x4 and put in a piece of OSB and top it with another 2x4. All weak by themselves but once together it is strong. If it makes no difference in accuracy then why are the PPC rail guns in a block and not using the action to support the barrel. The same thing goes with the 1000 yard heavy guns. The Long 1.450 Diameter barrels are glued or clamped in a block and the action free floats. Matt