Rifle Scopes dove tail scope mounts are bad?

[Intrepid4576]

Im new to all of this so please be patient with me - and i also did a search for dove tail and nothing relevant came up so

i just recently bought a used rifle - my first gun ever and then ordered a scope for it - a nightforce 5.5x22-56 the seller of the gun included a dove tail scope mounting system

fast forward 2 weeks i have the scope and im following the instructions in the manual to mount it and it says nightforce does recomend dove tail or turn in style rotary under any circumstances

now im trying to be as careful as possible threw this process due to the fact i had to save for a hellva long time @ 12 dollars an hour and raising a family to afford all this.

so the question is will i ruin something if i mount my scope via dove tail? or should i save a bit more and convert everything over to picatany? why does nightforce not recommend dove tail?

 

[Truck10]

Re: dove tail scope mounts are bad?

I'm not saying it would'nt work, but why go cheap on the link between your Nf and rifle?? You have a quality optic, you should have quality mounts.

TPS and EGW make good bases that are reasonably priced. And i'm sure you can find a decent set of rings as well as a base on the sale boards

 

[Jig Stick]

Re: dove tail scope mounts are bad?

i have Leupold Dual Dovetails mounting a Leupold Mark 4 on a remington 700 pss. Dove tails are plenty sturdy. Ive never had a problem using them. The only real reason to use rails systems is to help with eye relief or if you are going to be switching scopes in the field. On my custom gun I have Bat Action with a built in Pic on the action, and use Badger rings. But I only chose them for the reasons I just listed. My 700PSS has worked find with the Dove Tails.

 

[Intrepid4576]

Re: dove tail scope mounts are bad?

hmm i didnt realize dove tailed scope mounts were cheaper - its just what came with the rifle

whats the disadvantage of dove tail however?

More importantly why does nightforce not recommend using dove tail? Will it break or damage something? effect accuracy? or?

 

[slothlacrosse]

Re: dove tail scope mounts are bad?

if the rings aren't properly installed, they can put stress on the scope's tube.

i had dovetail rings on my custom 300WM for a long time and everything worked fine.

what rifle is this going on?

where abouts in PA are you?

 

[Intrepid4576]

Re: dove tail scope mounts are bad?

the rifle is a AI AW .338 lapua

im in Honesdale PA


well i hope i didnt damage the scope when i put it on...had to take it off anyway cause the bell was touching the rifle barrel....sometimes it sucks being new at things hard to find info on this stuff

should i order a pic rail then so i dont damage the scope during mounting? when using a pic rail is it 100% chance i wont ruin my scope? how can i tell if i already damaged my scope?

i was hoping to just use the dovetail system cause it seems simpler and appears to be very sturdy - plus its what im already set up to do....but being that i have to find a taller mount now its got me wondering

 

[Zhurh]

Re: dove tail scope mounts are bad?

If you go with rings: I just installed a new set of Leu dovetails & bases on a mark V. The new bases didn't have windage screws, Leu told me they do this with larger calibers nowadays. I used a 30 mm lap tool (it's a little longer than the scope but sure wish it would have been 3 feet) I got from the big B to align rings, without a Leu ring wrench (get the $15 wrench). I then used a scope alignment tool (vertical reticle instrument) so crosshair is perfect with bore. I'm told Leu rings don't need lapped as their tolerances are good, but the lap tool is nice to have for alignment. You need to find a 1 inch or 30 mm broomstick and not buy the $80 lap tool. Everything ended up good, but I also have a few AR's with rails and they are tough to beat, as I have switched scopes from time to time.

 

[19Scout77]

Re: dove tail scope mounts are bad?

Everyone who posted provided useless advice with absolutely ZERO bearing on the platform Intrepid is using. Goes to show you what happens when you ASSUME.

J- The AI dovetail is NOTHING like the dovetail systems to which NF is referring. You can completely disregard the "information" posted above--ALL OF IT.

The AI dovetail is a fantastic heavy duty SIMPLE system that is beyond compare or reproach. You do need to LAP anything and it will never damage a scope unless YOU screw up.

When we discussed scopes, you sent me a link to a 50mm NF, but you bought the 56. You will need to pickup a 45moa AI mount and a set of 30mm reducers--or send your scope back to Alex and get a 50mm. You lose NOTHING going with the 50mm instead of the 56--and since you bought new, you'll actually get a few bucks back!

E-

 

[Intrepid4576]

Re: dove tail scope mounts are bad?

So many THANKS to you yet again 19Scout77. You've been so much help...if only i could help myself and not F things up lol

Thank you!

PS: I just looked over the scope and it looks brand new still so I will definitely try and follow the route you suggested

 

[Goldbeachman]

Re: dove tail scope mounts are bad?

Another comment about the AI dovetail system. I just rebarreled my AW removing the .308 barrel and replacing it with a 260 Rem. barrel. Removed the scope in the process by detaching the entire dovetail base. Once rebarreled and the dovetail mount and scope reinstalled, the change in point of impact was less than 5 inches at 100 yards. Thats a minor shift given this was a complete barrel and caliber change as well as removing and reinstalling the dovetail scope mount.

I'm confident that removal and reinstallation of the AI dovetail base alone would result in zero or next to zero point of impact shift. In other words, it is a rock solid system among the finest in the world. Good luck!