Rifle Scopes Is QD worth it?

[krimet]

I need to pick up a scope mount for an ATACR 5-25x56 for my new 6.5 Creedmoor. At the moment I intend to use this gun mostly for target shooting, but will also pull it out for hunting every couple of months. The kicker is I often hunt pigs at night. So, I will often want to pop the ATACR off so I can put my thermal scope on. I've pretty much settled on investing in a Spuhr mount for this gun and am now just bouncing back and forth between the standard mounts and QDP models. I won't need to pull this thing off under pressure and like most I carry fix it sticks in my bag. I'm also inclined to get the scope as low as I can. The QDP heights are a little more limited. Any of you guys have any thoughts? Maybe someone has had both and some opinions on why they now favor one vs the other?

 

[DavidK]

For years I spent the extra money and bought QD mounts. QD mounts require a tight fit, and I have to wedge them open with a plastic tool. I have decided that if I need a tool to open them, I might as well use a wrench and save the money.

PS: My previous purchases were not Sphur, they were Larue and American Defense

 

[XLR308]

With a quality set of rings you shouldn't have any issues removing and reinstalling the optic as long as you are placing it in the same pic rail slots and torque to the same setting in sequence.
Could probably even do it by feel without a torque wrench but this is SH not ARFCOM so no need for slopyness.

 

[LawnMM]

It's not worth it.

 

[Steel head]

A good set of rings or mount will keep a pretty damn close zero if your consistent on re mounting.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

You pay for the convenience of tool less removal and install at the price of a mount that doesn’t clamp as tight and doesn’t return to zero as well as a properly torqued one. A couple extra minutes to remove 4 screws with a T20 screwdriver to remove and then torque those same 4 screws on install shouldn’t be a big deal.

Bottom line, QD is stupid.

 

[deersniper]

You pay for the convenience of tool less removal and install at the price of a mount that doesn’t clamp as tight and doesn’t return to zero as well as a properly torqued one. A couple extra minutes to remove 4 screws with a T20 screwdriver to remove and then torque those same 4 screws on install shouldn’t be a big deal.

Bottom line, QD is stupid.

This

But I like the big 1/2” nuts like NF uses

 

[The DFC]

I like QD simply because in many cases they're sleeker and less protrusive then nuts sticking out. I bought a scalarworks mount and I really like it because it's sleek and I'll probably buy them from now on but they're pricey. That being said I bought a few 34mm scopes recently and didn't really want to shell out another $800 for the scalarworks mounts and ended up getting some Steiner mounts for $50 and they're very nice and work well-fix it sticks torque limiter pack in tow and I'm good to go.

 

[rlarsen462]

I'm space limited and take off my optics to fit everything in the safe. I use the Bobro QD mounts that supposedly self adjust and I can say as long as I'm careful to put in the same slots and apply the same forward pressure against the lugs while tightening down the clamps, the zero barely moves at all...probably not ideal for 1000yard shooting but it's been worth it for me for the convenience at the distances I usually have available.

I suppose there really isn't a ton of difference in time commitment to just break loise the crossbolts and retorque each time either though.

 

[A-Rob]

What effect does repeatedly re-torquing the same mounting bolts have on the threads over time?

 

[deersniper]

Nightforce is the most dependable reliable brand. So nothing.

Seriously I would say the 1/2” bolts will stand up to that for longer than the little screws on Spuhr etc

 

[theLBC]

You pay for the convenience of tool less removal and install at the price of a mount that doesn’t clamp as tight and doesn’t return to zero as well as a properly torqued one. A couple extra minutes to remove 4 screws with a T20 screwdriver to remove and then torque those same 4 screws on install shouldn’t be a big deal.

Bottom line, QD is stupid.

merry christmas everyone!

all QD mounts are not the same. many simple spring loaded cam designs crap and don't stay tight over time, or need to be adjusted.

if the QD mount doesn't hold zero, it is sort of stupid (defeats primary purpose of making it "easy and quick" to remove and put back on)

imho, it depends on the QD maker/brand and specific mount, how well it happens to fit your specific rifle or application, and why you want or need a QD mount in the first place

for example, the Bobro Engineering Scar mounts are unique and patented, self indexing on both axises (pushed forward, and parallel to the rail), and extremely repeatable for zero, even if you move it up or down the rail. there is nowhere to adjust or tighten anything. it is a "spring" loaded press fit, and you can't wiggle it around once it is mated with the rail.
imho, bobro QD mounts are awesome not stupid.

whether or not it is worth the extra money for this convenience goes back to the question of why you want one.

why would somebody cheap like me think spending over $250 for a scope mount is worth it?

#1
i am operator af! i got hot lead flying all around me, and if something takes out my primary optic, i have to be able to ditch the fucker and use backup sights or throw on something else quickly.

#2
my daughter is operator af too, but she's little. even though she's all growed up, she still has to stretch a little to get a good sight picture on dad's wannabe MK20 SSR. we can move the scope back and forth a few slots and not have to adjust fuck all. ready for boom.
it isn't so much that is is "quick" as it is the fact that it holds zero so well. perhaps this says as much about the quality and relationship of the monolithic receiver/rail and barrel as it does the mount.

#3
actually, my first bobro qd mount came in a package deal for the 20S.
the mount that came with the rifle was not ideal. it was an extended cantilever model and the levers were on the left side.
i didn't need any cant but didn't need an extended mount, and i wanted to run the charging handle on the left side.
because of the reciprocating charging handle on the Scar, it is nice to have the mount almost flush with the rail on that side.

long story short, bobro ended up selling me the mount i wanted for 1/2 price, because they could not take back my old mount. great guys and a small american owned and operated business. they also offer LE/MIL discounts.
i got an extra 35mm mount 0moa, left hand levers, extended cantilever, if anyone is short on funds and looking for a cheaper option on an expensive mount. i don't care enough about selling it to list it.

 

[krimet]

I’ve had good luck with quality QD mounts in the past. However, this gun will be shot out to 1000+ yds on a regular basis. That’s why I invested in the glass and intend to invest in the mount as well. After doing some research, I found that the general consensus for a mount model that would be a good fit was the SP-4001. This is going on a Kelbly’s Atlas Tactical action (Rem 700 footprint) btw. Unfortunately, they don’t have a matching height in the QD line. So, I was curious if it would be worth it to go with a mount that is higher than I would normally buy because it provided that feature. But it seems for long range precision it’s not priority even for those that may be changing optics.

Side question for those that have mounted the ATACR on that Kelbys action (or any similar Rem 700 setup): Did you find any need for the cantilever mount or just the square configuration?

 

[gnochi]

What effect does repeatedly re-torquing the same mounting bolts have on the threads over time?

It depends what the weak point is in the system. Typically you’re not anywhere near yielding the threads at the clamp torques you’re supposed to use on insert-mount-here.

 

[DTF370]

Short answer for me-

if it’s a tactical-use rifle such as a dmr that you use back up sights in conjunction with your primary optic, it’s worth it. If it’s not just get regular rings.

My philosophy is I want the ability to dump my primary optic if it takes a round or something catastrophic. To each his own.

 

[deersniper]

45* back up sights negate the need for qd

 

[Blackfoot 7]

45* back up sights negate the need for qd

Running 45 degree offsets on my 6.5CM semi-auto as a backup to my primary optic, which I got a fixed one piece mount for. If I was running normal top mounted BUIS I'd opt for a quality QD like a Spuhr.