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Pic rail vs. dove tail

rmist

I'm just curious why everyone is going to Picatinny rails instead of using dovetail bases? The custom seem to be a lot better made and fit better....the dovetail can be cut to any MOA wanted to center crosshairs. The rings fit better as well. Not a supporter but I like the ones Shehane sells.
Personally I like the dovetail system and use it on bench guns and F TR guns.

What are your thoughts ??
 
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I like the pics for a very different reason. I like the U.S. Optics rail mounted swivel "Bubble Level" for leveling my rifle up.. It swings out when in use and when you are finished it swivels back next to the pic rail.. I know of no dovetail mounted bubble level. Unless I missed one you must use a scope / ring mounted bubble level.. That's why I want the rails..
 
Far as I know the Burris Signature rings with the plastic inserts are not made for dovetail bases. I hope I'm wrong. But I would say that is a big reason if true.

I still use dovetail because the Pic bases are so expensive for BAT actions. Does anyone make a reasonable priced Pic rail drilled with the larger holes?
 
Shootdots...B-Square makes dovetail scope levels. What's wrong with scope mounted levels ?

Otter... IMO think the Shehane and Kelby rings are superior to the Burris rings. Why would the Burris rings be the reason of the onslaught of pic rails in the past few years? It could be all the Black guns !!!!
 
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The main reason I go pic rail is because when I swap scopes on a rifle I notate what slot I was locked in and I can easily return to what worked for eye relief with that particular optic. My modified 6br bench gun doubles up for coyotes sometimes and a fixed 36x isn't too good for scanning the horizon
 
My Kelbly rings always leave marks. Burris Signature rings are praised for not doing that and for the various MOA inserts you can buy for them. For dovetail, I would buy Harrell's or Mohr before I would by another set of Kelbly rings. JJ Industries used to make dovetail rings too that don't leave marks but have not seen any in a long time.
 
rmist said:
I'm just curious why everyone is going to Picatinny rails instead of using dovetail bases? The custom seem to be a lot better made and fit better....the dovetail can be cut to any MOA wanted to center crosshairs. The rings fit better as well. Not a supporter but I like the ones Sheehan sells.
Personally I like the dovetail system and use it on bench guns and F TR guns.

What are your thoughts ??
Click to expand...

I fairly ignorant about dovetails but I believe standardizing makes things easier for user and manufacturers. Once the government picks a standard the rest of the industry generally adopts it. It works with Medicare/Medicaid as well as guns. We're just fleas the government is the big dog.

Joe
 
ebb said:
Dovetail rings will move with enough recoil, picatinny with the slot not at all
Click to expand...
A friend of mine has a .308 CZ 550 and it came with the dovetail scope mount. He had nothing but problems with the dovetail rings. He had a large Nightforce scope on the rifle. The rings did come with a tab that fits into a slot to keep the rings from moving under recoil. The problem he had was that a over time the recoil tab would crack and break off and like ebb posted the rings/scope would move under recoil. After going through a couple sets of the dovetail rings he bought a regular picatinny base and had a gunsmith tap and die the rifle and mounted the new base so he could use regular scope rings. He is a happy shooter now.
 
Maybe your thinking of another ring style (NOT the twist in dovetails)...these are what I'm referring to. I have them on a 308 shooting heavy bullets and they DON'T move !! Maybe a 338 or something but doubtful...I've never used the Kebly rings so can't say if they leave ring marks or not. The Shehane ones haven't left marks that I have used.
I'm talking mainly for competition rigs.

http://store.scopeusout.com/Custom-30mm-Aluminum-Rings--Extra-High-250-MOA-Tapered_p_205.html

These come straight taper as well. Just a user not an endorser.
 
rmist said:
I'm just curious why everyone is going to Picatinny rails instead of using dovetail bases? The custom seem to be a lot better made and fit better....the dovetail can be cut to any MOA wanted to center crosshairs. The rings fit better as well. Not a supporter but I like the ones Shehane sells.
Personally I like the dovetail system and use it on bench guns and F TR guns.

What are your thoughts ??
Click to expand...
Nightforce has a note in the box DO NOT use dove-tail rings..
 
I have shot Kelby rings on a light gun 300 WSM for years. They have never moved. Before the WSM I shot them on a 308 Baer. In 15 years of shooting they never moved once. Matt
 
I prefer a rail mount because it allows removal of the scope without taking the scope out of the rings. If removed from the rings ,I have to go back through the process of being sure the scope is not tilted in the rings , I am probably just too compulsive , but I don't want to worry about right or left induced by rotation of the scope as I dial up and down.Also I maintain a stable of guns that allow me to switch barrels, bolts , and scopes back and forth easily . That way ,I change barrel and scope it is still usually bore sight and 2 shots and I can zero the scope turrets and I am back in business in a different caliber for different type of shooting.
 
The Accuracy 1st level is scope mounted and functionally outstanding. If the level is level on the scope that makes it real easy to get the scope level on the gun again if you have to remove the scope from the rings.
 
With dovetail base and rings you only have to remove one ring. Put on another gun....never removed the levelness....just sayin
 
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