OP is 'a machinist' and the gun is a match 54 where maximum accuracy may be desired
Cantilever is a great easy solution but it may be worthwhile to secure the mount at both ends.
Aerospace journeyman machinist by trade, 10+ years in. No need for quotations.
I also have a more than adequate shop here at home complete with lathe and vertical mill. If that’s not the definition of a true machinist, don’t know what is.
And no the reciever will not be milled behind the barrel or modified in any way, as there is not enough material to cut a dovetail. Nor would I want to alter a 50 year old work of art.
Of course maximum accuracy is desired, it’s an anschutz match 54 lol. It’s getting a 36x fine cross hair, Sinclair bag rider rail attachment, and being steadied by a Sinclair varmint windage front rest, all to shoot at 50 yards haha.
The dip rail is stout enough that the front and rear sections do not flex or twist when one side floats. Since the contact pattern of the rear is full length, I’m not worried at all about flex or vibration induced by the floating front. Like I stated in my op, the dip has two set screws to secure the rail to the dovetail, and by adding slightly longer screws with plastic tipped inserts, I can basically support the front of the rail so it’s not floating. Will it be as secure as a two dovetail sections, probably not. Will it be more than adequate for a 22lr firing from a bench, absolutely. If we were talking about a mountain hunting rifle that will be carried miles on end through difficult terrain with a serious magnum caliber I’d be considering other options. Were are not. It’s a 22 that will live on a bench, be transported in a hard case, and reside in a safe. The worst this old beauty will see is when my jeep rolls over potholes.
The shim stock I’m waiting on, thanks for the “severe weather delay”, is brass as not to damage the finish on the reciever while still allowing access to the loading port. I looked at other options but they all place the scope so far to the rear, eye relief might be problematic. Also the dip rail allows me to use lightweight aluminum leupold picatinny rings already in my parts inventory, so that’s just more money for other toys. Everyone can relate to that.
