Rifle Scopes Budget Scope Base Poll

G

Goot

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Oct 17, 2008
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#1
Bases in consideration for the poll! Which do you vote for and why?

These are all 20 MOA bases for the Rem 700 SA.

So to sum things up... in order of least expensive to most. Find your own point of diminishing returns of price/performance ratio as you deem fit.

Weaver Tactical Extended Multi-Slot:
$30 http://swfa.com/Weaver-Tactical-Extended-Multi-Slot-Picatinny-Base-P46497.aspx
Made of 6061 T6 Aluminum. With integral recoil lug.

EGW STANDARD (cross slots do not go all the way across width of rail...):
$40 http://swfa.com/EGW-Picatinny-Rail-1-Piece-Scope-Mount-P46177.aspx
6061 T6 extrusion made

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">EGW HD:
$55 http://swfa.com/EGW-HD-Picatinny-Rail-1-Piece-Scope-Mount-P45917.aspx
Extruded 7075 T6 Aluminum that is CNC machined.
This is the winner in my book.
</span></span>
OR
$95 http://swfa.com/EGW-HD-Picatinny-Rail-1-Piece-Scope-Mount-P45943.aspx
HD steel rails are machined out of heat treated Chrome Molly 4140 steel and machined in hardened condition so they are rail strait.

TPS XP Tactical (cross slots do not go all the way across width of rail...):
$55 http://swfa.com/TPS-XP-Tactical-1-Piece-Base-P42039.aspx
machined from a solid billet of 7075-T651 aluminum with an "integral recoil shoulder".
OR
$65 http://swfa.com/TPS-XP-Tactical-1-Piece-Base-P42035.aspx
machined from a solid billet of 1215 carbon alloy steel.

LaRue $75
machined billet aluminum alloy. NO recoil lug (only comes /w LA).

Seekins $100
3D CNC machined from solid block of 7075 T6 SOLID block (not extruded) aluminum. It features an integrated recoil lug.

Badger Ordnance $130+
Machined from 4142 pre-hardened Chrome Molly alloy steel. It features an integrated recoil lug or an Aluminum alloy version

Near MFG $175
CNC machined from HTSR Stainless Steel. It features an integrated recoil lug and shoulder.

Yes, there are some left out, but this seems to be the generally accepted choices at each price point... Anyhow, it just here to serve as an aid for people searching. Hope it helps.

I used SWFA as the reference for pricing because they usually have the best price, if not best they will price match, and all the products are available there.

Thanks!
 
#4
Re: Budget Scope Base Poll

I wanted to include seekins or badger ordnance, but they are 2-3x the cost so I don't really consider them in the budget category. I have had both and they are quality products though for this build I am looking for a more affordable choice with my tighter budget as many can relate to.

I just don't see the reason for the disparity in pricing for something as simple as a scope rail... Like I said, I have had both badger ordnance and seekins, but really question if its worth the premium. If you can explain why they are worth 2-3x as much as the choices given I would love to hear it. They do not look like $100-130+ to me personally.

There are many people who have very expensive rifle builds that use "budget" scope bases. I do like to support engineering & innovation when I see it! However, when it comes to scope bases there is little difference to me if we are comparing "apples to apples" with same metal, machining method, slots, mil spec, and features... Unless you can show and/or explain to me otherwise?

Regardless, there are many who wish to save a little money on much tighter budget builds who I am sure would benefit from the poll.

Thanks.
 
#5
Re: Budget Scope Base Poll

When you spending $2k+ or more on a scope, Badgers or Seekins ARE cost effective. I will also wager you had zero problems with the Badger and Seekins rings and bases you used.

I cannot say the same for several inexpensive base and ring combo's I've bought over the years.

That said, I view bases rings and scope as part of a system. As such, spending $300 (for base and rings) to mount a $300 scope seems rather silly. As does spending $100. to mount a $2k+ scope.

All in all, buying the "best" you can afford, at whatever level of spending your at, is usually cheaper in the long run.
 
#6
Re: Budget Scope Base Poll

After having expensive "premium" seekins or badger ordnance rings/bases I do not see why I should not look for more affordable options when I am not spending $1500-2000+ on a scope. I do not see the value in them. Especially not the base.

I agree with your point, but for a budget build spending less than $1k for a scope it does not seem right to spend $200-260+ on base/rings which is about 30% of the cost. My personal scope choice is $700 on the rifle build I am considering cheaper scope base alternatives for. I am still getting high quality rings, but TPS TSR rings would be more than sufficient too.

Again, this is for a "BUDGET" build. The point at which you decide to spend the extra cash on seekins or badger ordnance is a personal preference. When cost is a big contributing factor, what do you choose? Or are what are premium scope base brands giving you that one of these "cheaper" brands are not?
 
#8
Re: Budget Scope Base Poll

Mohonri,

To try and answer your question fully, about what budget base I favor, I must first must tell you my preferred budget rings:

Burris Signature Zee Rings

My ring choice is important, because of the way the Zee Rings fit: They slide over the rail, rather than clipping directly over it. With many budget type bases that are so called "Picatinney" and Weaver spec rails are really not to spec., and the Zee rings will not freely slide over them.

Two of the more inexpensive rails that do work with the Zee's are Warne Maxima Two Piece bases (0 cant, but that's where the Burris rings w/offsets come in handy) at around $25, and the IOR one piece (0, 20, and 30 cants, just under $100.) and IOR's two piece bases (also only in 0 cant, just under $60.).

Nightforce two piece 20 MOA bases are also excellent and are well under $100.

But those were not choices on your list, but you should consider.

Bob
 
#9
Re: Budget Scope Base Poll

I voted for the Weaver. I've installed three seperate rails and they were all in spec. I've used two EGW bases and both with out of spec even after bedding, one was so out of spec the rings couldn't be lapped enough to get a straight mount.

Used a few TPS bases a couple years back but after the problems I've had with their rings and their non existent customer service I wouldn't even consider using their products again.

As another person mentioned the Larue is very nice for $75 and would be my choice for a budget mount.
 
#10
Re: Budget Scope Base Poll

Bob,

That explanation makes more sense. I guess that is part of the equation and options I did not consider in my poll or post...

Seems like Burris Signature Zee Rings are a common choice. As well as the TPS TSR Rings.
http://swfa.com/TPS-TSR-Scope-Rings-C2714.aspx

I personally am going with ARC M3 rings because to me they justify the cost in quality, engineering, and innovation which I choose to support. http://americanrifle.com/scope_rings/default.asp?d=4

The purpose of the poll is to try to give people on a tighter budget than me some suggestions. I am prudent and frugal in my choices, but if quality is worth it then I save for it on my student gi bill budget. And for me to hopefully have questions answered about the differences between say EGW HD and seekins or badger ordnance and if that justifies the cost or not to me?

That LaRue mount does look nice! I always hear they make good products, great service, and Texan! :p

Thanks.
David
 
#12
Re: Budget Scope Base Poll

I'm putting together a budget savage build right now I went with a pri base I got for 80 bucks and Burris xtr rings I found at gander mtn for 60 bucks. Not the best stuff out but good and cost effective. I am mostly an 80/50 kind of guy.
 
#13
Re: Budget Scope Base Poll

You know, guys, I sort of have to agree with Mohonri's hypothesis.

I spent a whole lot of years in the machine shop. And I'm talking about dealing with tolerances of +/- 0.000050".

If you take the same grade of aluminum or steel, generate a CAD program and do all of the usual and customary due diligence, there won't be a great deal of difference from one shop to another.

The cost differential among the various manufacturers piques my interest, also.
 
#14
Re: Budget Scope Base Poll

Burris XTR rings look pretty nice just as TPS TSR and Burris Signature Zee rings do.

Very unfamiliar with PRI and I did a search for pricing and didn't find any for $60? Seems even Gander Mtn is out of stock.

Thank you for the support Killer Spade. I am really trying to understand this. It should make little difference between manufacturers that use similar methods and material.

Perhaps there are some customer service or manufacturing issues with some companies, but most resellers or manufacturers will take care of you if you have an issue.

Seems like sometimes these issues people are having are due to their own ignorance rather than the product. Like using steel rings on a aluminum base or vice versa. Incorrectly tightening down screws. Or not bedding the base which leads to other issues. Weaver style vs picatinny.

I am ignorant myself about this as well, but I am not stupid. I would like to understand.

Thanks.
 
#17
Re: Budget Scope Base Poll

Weaver, have one, its got a recoil lug and I've had Weaver, Burris and TPS rings on it, all fit fine, did have to bed it though, no big deal, and it assures 100% contact and kept it flat end to end.
I don't grasp spending large sums of money on a part that can be built to the tightest spec and if it happens to be on the other end of the tolerance spectrum from my rifle still won't fit right out of the box. The strength argument to me is moot, its between a thin walled aluminum tube full of glass and a steel receiver if it gets hit by something, it won't be of any use anyway. If the rings are tight, they won't slip, if they don't slip the base won't wear. If I was going to be changing optics constantly and cranking the rings down without a torque wrench I might choose steel.
I think people should buy what they think is best. I'm not convinced there's enough tangible difference in bases from reputable companies to justify the disparity in price. Its a piece of metal and a machine programmed to shape it, its not a person's handcraft.
 
#18
Re: Budget Scope Base Poll

From EGW:
"HD rails are machined from 7075 T6 extruded aluminum and Hard coat anodized. I do not presume to know what the others use but 7075 is considered the best grade for scope mounts (75,000KSI). HD steel rails are machined out of heat treated Chrome Molly 4140 steel and we machine them in the hardened condition so they are rail strait. With far north of 100k rails on the market in the internet age we would be the first to know if our product was not up to snuff. We choose to use 4 screws all with 82 degree counter sink to share recoil and to locate the rail. Recoil shoulder rails have to use flat bottom screws. Not a fan of that. The seem to float around more than the 4 located screws."

I would still love for someone to really show me the differences in the scope mounts that explains the disparity in pricing that I am ignorant to.

Thanks!
 
#20
Re: Budget Scope Base Poll

Anyone else wish to...

VOTE?

Have opinions, comparisons, experience, etc?

Or know any info concerning how it the base is produce? i.e. specific metal alloy - extrusion or solid billet, full width cross slots or partial, machining process, and features such as the "recoil lug" or "recoil shoulder"? True mil spec picatiny or lacking?

Thanks for the help! Looks like we have come up with some good info here.
 
#21
Re: Budget Scope Base Poll

EGW on a Savage 12fv 22-250, Prairie dogging, and benchrest.
Farrel on a Savage 10FP .308, This would be my "Tactical". This would have been a Seekins also except he didn't have them in a flat back for a pre-accutrigger.
Seekins on a Savage 110 in 300WM, Target use.

All work fine, no issues. The EGW was my budget choice so that I could have a picatinny on the 12fv in order to swap the scope off of the 300WM. The shared scope is in Seekins rings. The swap has worked nicely between budget and top end.
 
#23
Re: Budget Scope Base Poll

I went with the Weaver base for my Remington 700. It does have an integrated lug. It's not very big but, looks like it will do what it's designed to do. I checked it to see if it was straight with the bar on my callipers. Looked straight to me. I did have to bed the rear. I do not know if this was because of the rail or the receiver. Seemed like a great base for it's intended use. Have noticed nothing wrong after 131 rounds through the rifle.

I did have to trim the extended part off to clear the bell of my scope. Not really a fault of the base though.


 
#24
Re: Budget Scope Base Poll

I have an EGW HD Steel base on a rifle, along with their 30mm rings. Haven't had any issues with any of their products yet, so I will continue to use them until I see something I don't like. Besides, they're kinda local to me.
 
#30
Re: Budget Scope Base Poll

When I build my "budget" 700 I was going to go with the EGW but found some extra cash. I ended up going with seekins and never looked back.

With that said, if I wanted to save cash I would have gone EGW and felt based on reviews I would have been fine.

-J
 
#32
Re: Budget Scope Base Poll

I currently have a NF 25moa base on my R700 and like it a lot. I have had no issues with it and it mates up to my action perfectly. But if I'm ever in the market again for a base, I'm going to go with Seekins.

I had an issue with Seekins Rings after I overtorqued one of the screws and it sheared. They replaced them no questions asked even though (in my opinion) they owed me nothing. Top that with an excellent product and you have the pieces of a great company.
 
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