Rifle Scopes Base rail and scope ring selection

[fskjester]

I have a Rem 700 I just ordered a scope.

I now need to order a base rail and rings.

What height base rail will I need in order to hit 1000yds that will also allow me to shoot accurately in short range for hunting.

Will the 20 or 40 moa rail make it so my zero is too far out for accurately shooting a deer at 30-50 yards?

Also what are the differences between rings that are $39.99 and $99.99? I want great rings and a great rail.

Thanks

 

[Voltron]

With the base, I'd opt for a 20 moa. Those seem to pretty much be the standard these days, and some folks even go with 40 moa. 20 moa will be plenty for most scopes to get out to 1000yds with 308. As far as the rings go, you are paying for quality, precision, design, and reliability. I can recommend Seekins Precision rings as being a great set of rings and reasonable cost for the attention to detail you get with their product. If you are looking for more budget oriented rings and still are great rings, I'd recommend the Weaver Tactical rings. I've used them several times and I don't have anything bad to say about them. I'd also suggest the Weaver 20 moa base too. The Weaver products give you a lot of bang for your buck. The Seekins bases are really nice too, but once again they a decent amount more money.

I currently am using a Weaver base with Seekins rings on my R700 and I have no plans to change. Previous to the Seekins rings I used the Weaver Tactical rings without any issues whatsoever.

 

[fskjester]

Perfect thanks!

 

[scotharr]

A second vote for Seekins rails and rings: top notch design and quality control at a reasonable price.

 

[lawman29]

I see on other posts that you purchased a $130 BSA scope from Midway. Midway is the only one that offers that model and they don't publish the internal adjustment range. There are sort of comparable BSA scopes 6-24x40 on another site that published an internal adjustment of only 35/35. In addition the rifle you purchased has a 20" barrel. I'm sure there are some experienced .308 shooters on here that can tell you what velocity to expect and the MOA needed to get to 1K. That will tell you what base you need.

 

[dmike]

I'm guessing you'll need at least 40 moa for 1000? How much elevation does your scope have?

 

[fskjester]

Shoot. Already ordered the 20 moa. I don't know the elevation of the scope only that everywhere I looked it had good review so I figured at $130 it's worth a shot. It will hold me over until I can get a S&B.

 

[BobinNC]

The OP is new and he asked a basic question about rings and bases, not knowing to or supplying the one item that is need to answer the question intelligently: I just bought ___________ scope.

This entire thread is a prime example of good folks offering advice without knowing the most critical piece of information. What scope did the OP buy? Now the OP has ordered a 20 moa base, on a scope that has only 35 MOA of adjustment, which is 17.5 MOA up and 17.5 down. Not only will he be unable to reach 1000 yds with this combo, he will be unable to zero his scope at 100 yds. with the 20 MOA base that all the savants THOUGHT was a good idea, because well everybody buys a 20 MOA base or 30 MOA or 40 MOA, don't they??? Unfortunately the OP bought a scope that will only work with a 10 MOA base as best case.

Sorry fskjester, you were lead astray.

 

[dmike]

Sorry fskjester, you were lead astray.

Probably a good lesson here for all of us but not necessarily a problem in your specific case. I can totally relate to you wanting to procure your components as quickly as possible to get shooting!

I'm sure Bob has a lot more experience in this area than many of us but I think you could be fine. It's possible that you'll get lucky and find it bottomed out (ie erector tube all the way up) to zero at 100, which would mean that you'll get max range out of the scope as long as you're willing to hold for shots <100. Even if your scope only has 35 total travel we don't know where your 100yd zero is on that line. The odds of your 100yd zero being perfectly centered up seem slim. If you end up needing a flat base, or 10, you can trade or sell your 20. Don't worry...yet!

If you have your scope in hand can you run it top to bottom and confirm that you have 35 total?

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

some adjustments on the BSA "midway mildot":

http://www.snipershide.com/[email protected]

yeah it's not top shelf, and for any really serious shooting would go with just about anything else, but so far no issues.

being SFP, perhaps using X number of dots @ ___X magnification will get you out there as a holdover, or using the same for zeroing, using a dot or two for holdunder. just keep good notes of where you are starting, ending, and returning to.

but previous experience with higher mag scopes and short range deer hunting, you sometimes "lose" the deer in the optic or just see "brown" as the lowest setting is 6X.

i have the weaver tactical rings on mine too, i actually see no "real" difference between their tactical rings vs their regular rings other than there's more girth to them and some extra screws. the size of the cross / mounting bolt is no different than the typical cheapie weaver walmart rings and are not a solid mount on their, or anyones picatinny slot sized bases. though i've had no real issue with them once mounted, they are for me just a bit of a letdown.

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting...-20-moa-base-weaver-tactical-rings-level.html

perhaps consider burris rings, with the moa inserts could help you out gaining more adjustment, if you need it.

if it's a budget build, you usually have to be prepared to give up some stuff. but if you can get better quality (straighter, stronger, truer, etc) stuff, it usually produces the best results and worth the wait to put it together. for 400-500 yards you can usually get away with cheapie stuff, going out to longer distances, those little things add up quick.

for the base i'd go with something of a better quality material and better tolerances for "serious" shooting, no matter what the rings or optic is or going to be, they start at the base.

 

[fskjester]

Soooo good newsss and bad news... I received my scope... The cross hairs are crooked. So I will be sending this back. The scope rings I received were the vortex tactical rings medium. The thing is they say "MADE IN CHINA" are vortex products made in china or is this a re-branded Chinese thing they sent me under their name? IF so save yourself the time and order it straight from china I found the same one (possibly) for way less. 1pc Tactical High Profile 30mm Scope Ring Fits 21mm Picatinny Weaver Rail Mount-in Scope Mounts & Accessories from Sports & Entertainment on Aliexpress.com

The rings are going to be kept for now (can't return those) the Weaver 20moa base is already installed. I can uninstall if necessary. So for the ability to shoot at 1000m (just found out my range is working on putting one in) and zero at 100m or even 200m What is a scope I can afford? I spent $130 on the BSA and was very excited. If I can get nothing close to that I understand but I do want to stay on the softer side of my budget for now. Also the rings? Are they okay? Or did I rush off and buy crap?

Also the BSA Scope goes up to 15 on the elevation dial and as it slides up you see 0-5 on the part it's covering up when set all the way down.

 

[fskjester]

I'd love to order a schmidt and bender but I'd also like to remain married...

 

[lawman29]

Federal 175 gr smk advertises a velocity of 2600 out of 24" barrel. With a 100 yard zero come up is ~ 38moa to 1k. Maybe a 20" barrel is ~ 2500 so it increases to ~ 42'. Now you have a starting point to look at scopes and their advertised internal adjustments....

 

[dmike]

So for the ability to shoot at 1000m (just found out my range is working on putting one in) and zero at 100m or even 200m What is a scope I can afford? I spent $130 on the BSA and was very excited. If I can get nothing close to that I understand but I do want to stay on the softer side of my budget for now.

Swfa ss 10x, 12x, or 16x...plenty of elevation, $299 every time

 

[fskjester]

I'd like the variable for hunting purposes. Do they offer that? I'm looking at their site but don't know which is which.

 

[dmike]

I'd like the variable for hunting purposes. Do they offer that? I'm looking at their site but don't know which is which.

I know you said you were trying to stay conservative on your budget, I believe you're going to be in for at least $600 for a reliable variable.

 

[fskjester]

So with the SWFA ss 10x Will that allow me to Zero on a 20 MOA base? Also I have a weaver 20 moa base and vortex tactical rings. Do I need to just send that stuff back?

 

[dmike]

So with the SWFA ss 10x Will that allow me to Zero on a 20 MOA base? Also I have a weaver 20 moa base and vortex tactical rings. Do I need to just send that stuff back?

you should be fine, I believe the 10x has a lot of travel. I can check mine tonight but I don't think your 20 moa base will be a problem for it.