Rifle Scopes Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

[USNIGHTGUNNER]

This topic may be posted but I could not find it. And if it is please let me know. I am going to mount a Premier 3x15 50mm on a 20 moa base on a Rem. 700, so what base and ring combination do you guys prefer (considering weight, quality, and ring height offered)? I have narrowed it down to Badger and Seekins and I am looking for some honest opinions. Thanks.

 

[BobinNC]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

I like Seekins myself, but Badger Ord. makes excellent products as well. Call it a toss-up......

 

[AlabamaShooter]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

I cant imagine you could go wrong with either. But I do like my seekins base and rings on my 40X.

 

[hiddenshooter]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

Between the two I like Badger. But like everyone says.... cant go wrong with either. I know you didnt ask, but check out tps precision.

 

[Impact]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

I like Badger a lot but I never tried seekins.

 

[USMCj]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

I like Seekins over everything els. Their ring design cant be beat.

 

[USMCj]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

oh and here is a thread that shows why I like the Seekins over the Badger http://snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1679860#Post1679860

 

[SmokeRolls]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

Go Seekins
SmokeRolls

 

[tookinkee]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

What about the murphy precision at the top of this webpage. Just looked at there scope bases that is made in titanium and stainless. Also looks like there coming out with titanium rings?

 

[USNIGHTGUNNER]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USMCj</div><div class="ubbcode-body">oh and here is a thread that shows why I like the Seekins over the Badger http://snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1679860#Post1679860</div></div>

Thanks for the thread. It looks like it is almost like choosing between the blond and the brunette.

 

[scotharr]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

both are great choices. I have both and have no desire to switch either out.

 

[USMCj]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tookinkee</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What about the murphy precision at the top of this webpage. Just looked at there scope bases that is made in titanium and stainless. Also looks like there coming out with titanium rings? </div></div>

Aluminum is lighter if thats your goal. Once the wow factor is over, you will be asking yourself why you spent so much money on Ti base and rings.

 

[glock63]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

I like Seekins, mostly for asthetic reasons. I like the two torx heaed screws on the rail clamp istead of the one crossbolt. either one will serve you as well as the other.

 

[USNIGHTGUNNER]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

I am starting to see a bias towards the Seekins base and rings. Thanks for the input thus far.

 

[7mmRM]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

Take your pick. Either is GTG.

 

[USNIGHTGUNNER]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

Does anyone know if the recoil lug on the Seekins mount completely fills in the gap on the Seekins picatinny rail?

 

[Rob01]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

Yes it is a good fit.

I have and use both and both work great.

 

[USNIGHTGUNNER]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rob01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes it is a good fit.

I have and use both and both work great. </div></div>

One last question. How would you campare the finish between the Badger and Seekins rails and mounts?

 

[Rob01]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

I don't really care about the finish as long as the rings hold my scope. That's the most important thing. That said the Badgers have more of a parkerized look/feel and the Seekins are a smoother black. Both are nice.

ETA Pics
Seekins

Badger

 

[crumpmd]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

I've not had a Badger base break.

 

[USNIGHTGUNNER]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

Thanks for the pics Rob01, and not to drift but how do you like that Templar action?

 

[Supersubes]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

I prefer the Seekins, and they are quite a bit cheaper as well.

 

[buckey]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

I like Near Mfg & Badger the best, but all of those mentioned are quality stuff.

 

[Rob01]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: usnightgunner</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for the pics Rob01, and not to drift but how do you like that Templar action?
</div></div>

Your thread so you can drift all you want

Love the Templar action. GAP builds a great rifle that is very accurate and the action has a good feel to it when working the bolt. I'd highly recommend it.

 

[stmcelroy]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

Neither are a bad choice.

Seekins are very nice, especially for the price.

 

[azimutha]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

That's true. I just got another Seekins base/rings combo for $208 and the Badger set would be $343. I don't any difference in quality and I've measured all the dimensions of the rails on both with a good set of dial calipers. They both maintained tolerances down to .001 throughout.

 

[crumpmd]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

Sometimes it comes down to the quality of the metal they start with.

 

[azimutha]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

I would guess that the Badgers are stronger but also that the Seekins are more than strong enough for the application. Also, knowing next to nothing about CNC machining that steel is harder to mill, yet the hard anodizing on the aluminum parts makes up for them being somewhat softer. The Seekins are lighter and I noticed that the Badger rail I took brand new out of the wrap had tinges of rust around the mounting holes. Seems to me by the time you damaged a mount like that your scope would already have been flattened by the truck tire that just rolled over your rifle.

 

[USNIGHTGUNNER]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

Do either the Seekins or the Badgers need to be lapped?

 

[crumpmd]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: azimutha</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...Seekins are more than strong enough for the application..... Seems to me by the time you damaged a mount like that your scope would already have been flattened by the truck tire that just rolled over your rifle. </div></div>

Not exactly. Sometimes the mounts can break and the scope is just fine.

 

[Red_SC]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: azimutha</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would guess that the Badgers are stronger but also that the Seekins are more than strong enough for the application. </div></div>

I'd say the Seekins are probably stronger. In the rare event that a ring breaks, it's usually at the clamp that holds it to the rail. Look at them both, the Seekins is a beefy clamp, and the Badger has a much thinner piece. This was pointed out to me by a respected smith on this site who says he's seen a number of broken Badger clamps on coated rings.

FWIW, I have Badgers on my main rifle, because they were the ultimate when I first started dreaming about having a custom rifle. I'll most likely have Seekins on any future rifles. I've never broken a quality mount and doubt I ever will.

 

[Supersubes]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: crumpmd</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: azimutha</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...Seekins are more than strong enough for the application..... Seems to me by the time you damaged a mount like that your scope would already have been flattened by the truck tire that just rolled over your rifle. </div></div>

Not exactly. Sometimes the mounts can break and the scope is just fine. </div></div>

I would love to see that. I agree with azmutha, show me a broken Seekins and I'll show you a squashed scope. The Seekins are quite a bit wider than a badger. As mentioned above, with cost in mind, Seekins wins every time IMO.

FWIW badger makes an aluminum ring. I have used them and they work great.

 

[crumpmd]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cpl Snafu</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: crumpmd</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: azimutha</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...Seekins are more than strong enough for the application..... Seems to me by the time you damaged a mount like that your scope would already have been flattened by the truck tire that just rolled over your rifle. </div></div>

Not exactly. Sometimes the mounts can break and the scope is just fine. </div></div>

I would love to see that. I agree with azmutha, show me a broken Seekins and I'll show you a squashed scope. The Seekins are quite a bit wider than a badger. As mentioned above, with cost in mind, Seekins wins every time IMO.

FWIW badger makes an aluminum ring. I have used them and they work great. </div></div>

Here you go

Here they are mounted on the rifle several months before they failed.

Like I said, sometimes it is the metal they are made with.

 

[USMCj]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

How much did you torque them down to? Ive torqued mines to 65in/lbs each bolt and not a single broken one.

 

[Glen Seekins]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

total i have had less than 5 broken rings, two were from one person. I can live with a less than .05% failure rate.

Everything mechanical can fail, some just fail less

 

[Supersubes]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

crumpmd- you actually do have pics...wouldn't have believed it had I not seen it.

 

[crumpmd]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

They were torqued to 60 in lb. The rifle was lying across the floor behind the front seat of my truck. I hit a major bounce and I'm sure the rifle bounced and they broke.
Glen said it, anything can break.

 

[USNIGHTGUNNER]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

They snapped clean, but will 5inch lbs. of over torque cause such failure? The recomended torque per the online data is 55 inch lbs. on the clamp screws. I am not so sure that 5inch lbs should make that much of a difference.

 

[crumpmd]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

IIRC Glen said he thought the metal was defective. He did not seem to think the rifle bouncing in the truck would be enough to break the rings. I would agree, I did have a different rifle fall over onto the road. A little scratched up but not broken. USO scopes take a lickin and keep on tickin.

 

[Glen Seekins]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

Only thing i could figure is it was the metal. These were made waaay back when i started and didn't know any better. Now all of my material is US, kaiser and comes with documentation that says so. I could never break a set like this and we have tried lots of times. Ruined a few scopes from jarring the crap out of them, hunting with the Argo has ruined video cameras, scopes, binos and just plain shakes everything loose.

 

[sheckie]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

I've got Seekins rings on a Badger base, they like each other.

The scope and rings came off another rifle with a Seekins base and no adjustments had to be made to the rings, whala, and ready to go.

I like both.

 

[azimutha]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

crumpmd, you are indeed right, as the photo graphically shows. I was referring more generally to 7075-T6 aluminum being up to the task. And it seems from Glen's last post that he learned from experience (and it didn't take much) and got more reliable sources for his feedstock. FWIW, Badger also makes some products, such as their AR riser rail from 7075-T6, although most is 4142 steel. I need a beer right now more than I need to know how much stronger it is.

 

[crumpmd]

Re: Badger or Seekins Base and Rings?

I still use 4 screw Seekins rings, he quit making the 6 screw. I have no worries about them. But the 6 screw were my favorite.