Rifle Scopes Aluminum and Steel

[GPKIII]

Please direct me if there is a previous post on this which I overlooked...

Some individuals obviously have strong convictions on material of choice for scope rings and base because I have recntly been told twice that aluminum had no place between the scope and the receiver. I am struggling with the fact that US Optics, Leupold, Seekins and countless others didn't get that memo...

Is there any valid reason to avoid aluminum in the civilian market(or otherwise)? Thank you.

 

[BobinNC]

Re: Aluminum and Steel

Not as long as you buy quality kit, alloy bases and rings are very strong. And they save a bunch of weight.


Bob

 

[neeley205]

Re: Aluminum and Steel

people "say" lots of things. the reason these companies did not get the memo is because they know better. the people who say these things are the same types of people who say things like; 9mm handgun bullets are so sissy the cant kill a dog, buy a .45 1911 because everything else is garbage.

 

[jrob300]

Re: Aluminum and Steel

Semi-rant...

People who are concerned about the robustness of aluminum probably should not fly in airplanes, or ride mountain bikes or motorcycles, or get in an elevator... the list goes on. It's not like we just discovered aluminum and don't know how to use it appropriately and design around its strengths and weaknesses.

I'm pretty sure that the weak link between your scope and receiver is NOT the aluminum rings. More than likely it's the 4 little screws that hold the rail to the receiver. These I HAVE seen shear off.

.02

John

 

[GPKIII]

Re: Aluminum and Steel

... as anticipated.
I have Near, NF, MKIV, Farrell, and BO to date, however all are steel except for UL rings. I planned to buy Seekins for the new additions.
Thank you.

 

[sniperaviator]

Re: Aluminum and Steel

Personally I like steel for picatinny rails and aluminum for rings. There is a lot of clamping pressure from the rings on the edge of the base. No need for steel rings, imo, aluminum saves weight. I like Near base and Seekins rings to get specific.

That said, people are having good success with all of them, aluminum or steel. Your preference really.

 

[Spuhr]

Re: Aluminum and Steel

There is no such thing as aluminium or steel.
There is plenty of quality differance within the two.
And the better aluminium qualitys are better than the lesser steel qualitys, but for the 1/3 of the weight.

So for all of those who continue to say steel, please look at the specifications first.


Håkan