Rifle Scopes Mounting a Steiner 4-16x50 to a Remington 700 5R

[Hadwyn]

Hello all. New to long distance shooting and even newer to Sniper's Hide.

After researching options for a couple months, I recently purchased a Remington 700 5R (24"). I have the rifle in hand and it's the only component of the rig that I have so far. The scope is next, which I recently decided would be the Steiner 4-16x50 (#5416) - seems a best all-around option at its price-point to take me through the 1K range.

Next up after the scope is the rail and rings. Any advice on what I should be looking for? Hoping to stay within $200-300 for the package. Are there any particular brands or base features to keep in mind for the best value? Rail wise, which base elevation would be best? Ring wise, one piece or two, and what height for the Steiner 5416? Also, for mounting, which tools are necessary to get the best mount and which are ones to stay away from (i.e.: Do I need alignment rods? Do I need a torque wrench with an adjustable range? etc.)?

Thanks ahead for the help. Looking forward to settling in at Sniper's Hide.

 

[Captramrod01]

I run the Steiner 4-16x50 on my SSG. I'd make sure to get an extended base (extends past the action) and at least 20 moa. The scope is very long and just barely fits on my integrated ssg base. I run american rifle co rings in medium (1.10" I believe) with plenty of room. Could of went with lows. I know this isn't a remmy but hopefully this helps you a bit.

 

[green338 2.0]

Scope Rings & Mounts - Parts & Accessories

You should be good with low rings, not sure about scope caps...?

 

[Pappasniper]

I like Seekins, but there are many nice ones. They will fit into your budget. Badger....are good too. Just more beefy and rugged looking. Nice choice on the rifle.

 

[Hadwyn]

Scope Rings & Mounts - Parts & Accessories

You should be good with low rings, not sure about scope caps...?

Is there a process for determining the exact ring height and rail cant that are needed for a configuration? I assume you want to mount the scope as close to the rifle without touching it, correct? With a 308 in particular, will a certain rail cant restrict your effective range?

 

[Hadwyn]

Scope Rings & Mounts - Parts & Accessories

You should be good with low rings, not sure about scope caps...?

Is there a process for determining the exact ring height and rail cant that are needed for a configuration? I assume you want to mount the scope as close to the rifle without touching it, correct? With a 308 in particular, will a certain rail cant restrict your effective range?

 

[Schoolboy]

Yes you are correct. You do not want the scope to touch the barrel.
With a 50 mm objective you should be perfectly fine with medium height rings.
The purpose for rail cant is to maximize the usable elevation adjustments your particular scope was built with thus eliminating a portion of the distance between the center of your rifles bore and the center of your scopes cross hairs. Addressing the question will rail cant restrict your effective range? The answer is simple. A scope does not effect your rifles effective range. Effective range is based on the caliber of bullet you are using because of something called terminal ballistics ( the effect the bullet has on your target while passing through it ). However the rail cant can effect the distance you can dial your scopes center crosshairs for. due to maxing out the elevation turret on your scope.
Assuming this happens you are not out of luck because your reticle is designed with either mil dots or hash marks that you can use for additional elevation and Windage adjustments if you max out your scopes elevation.
I hope this is helpful and good luck with your shooting endeavors. Also I'm sure there are a lot of more knowledgable shooters on the hide. I just figured I would pass along some of the things I have learned through hours of reading.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mjh30]

Hadwyn, fill out your profile or at least location, check out the link up forum and when the time comes to put it all together I'm sure you will be able to find someone local who has all the tools necessary to give assistance.

With regards to a base, the standard is basically a 20moa picatinny base made by the likes of Seekins, Badger too name a few. The simple reason for having a canted base is that it also allows you to use the optical center of the glass when dialing for long range and yes they allow you to have more up elevation. (Not all scopes have ample elevation and they need a little help at times)

As for rings, the scope in question has a 34mm tube, Seekins make the lowest 34mm rings I believe at .92, they also make 1. rings, as does Badger and a few other companies.

To your question, I'm running a similar setup to yours, Rem 700 SA, varmint contour barrel like the 5R. I'm using a Seekins 20moa base and Seekins 34mm low rings .92. My scope has a 56mm objective and I still have room to use Aadmount scope caps.

 

[EasyGravy]

Nice choice on that steiner. I bought same scope yesterday, it will get the job done for sure. Its a big scope but who cares.

 

[Dead Nutz]

When you get her squared away post some pics of your targets. That thing should be a hammer.

 

[blackblue]

Seekins lows will work for your setup along with a seekins base, apa rings will be the lowest you could find at .856.

 

[CavReconScout]

I run Seekins low rings with a Seekins 20moa base with my 50mm Steiner. If you want a 30moa base Seekins also makes one of those for Remington's. With the sunshade on the scope I have about 1/4" of gap.

 

[Sako man]

Hello all. New to long distance shooting and even newer to Sniper's Hide.

After researching options for a couple months, I recently purchased a Remington 700 5R (24"). I have the rifle in hand and it's the only component of the rig that I have so far. The scope is next, which I recently decided would be the Steiner 4-16x50 (#5416) - seems a best all-around option at its price-point to take me through the 1K range.

Next up after the scope is the rail and rings. Any advice on what I should be looking for? Hoping to stay within $200-300 for the package. Are there any particular brands or base features to keep in mind for the best value? Rail wise, which base elevation would be best? Ring wise, one piece or two, and what height for the Steiner 5416? Also, for mounting, which tools are necessary to get the best mount and which are ones to stay away from (i.e.: Do I need alignment rods? Do I need a torque wrench with an adjustable range? etc.)?

Thanks ahead for the help. Looking forward to settling in at Sniper's Hide.

I have the 16x Steiner and it's got to be one of my favorite pieces of glass. I have it on a 308 gun and I use an AI mount with 20moa cant from Mile High shooting, I recommend this budget mount above all. Think retail is 289$? So it has the MOA built into it. Otherwise if you want rings get some Seekins and you will never look back, super awesome. You will have to get a 20 MOA rail at that point.

The Steiner has a 50mm objective and the 5R is a varmint contour so not to worry about it banging into the barrel. I think I have even run low rings with that optic.

Lastly your going to need a bubble level. If your on a budget get the vortex.

 

[TheGerman]

Get rid of that horrible stock. Some people buy the take offs here for a few hundred. Put that towards a Manners, McMillan or HS Precision.

Then:

- Steiner is great. If you are set on the 4-16 the Steiner is up there with any other optic in that range. I would either do that or a Nightforce F1 depending on what reticle you want.
- Badger rings
- Badger 1 piece 20MOA base
- Harris BRM 6-9 bipod (swivel and notched)
- KMW PodLoc
- Flush cups on the stock as well as 2 GrovTec swivels (stay away from Uncle Mike)
- TAB or SS Loop sling
- TAB rear bag
- Data book

Put it together and go shoot the shit out of it. At some point you'll want to do one/all of the following:

- Start reloading with the initial thought that you'll save money
- Send in action to be trued
- Get the stock bedded
- Get a match barrel
- Change to a 6.5 Creedmoor
- Get new bottom metal that takes AI magazines


Welcome to the Hide. Shit's about to get expensive.

 

[Sako man]

Get rid of that horrible stock.


Welcome to the Hide. Shit's about to get expensive.

You forgot to mention getting rid of that shit 40x trigger.

1. Huber….best by far
2. Jewell
3. Timney

 

[TheGerman]

You forgot to mention getting rid of that shit 40x trigger.

1. Huber….best by far
2. Jewell
3. Timney

I knew I forgot something.

Depends, if he's bench shooting all the time the Jewell is fine. But if he is going to take it out hunting or outside of a range, I'd get the Timney. No experience with a Huber.


ETA - OP asked what to use to mount the optic with. Get a Borka torque driver. As for the ring height, you'll need a 34mm set from Badger part number 306-61. According to a CAD drawing I have from Marty, you will have .081 clearance from the rail with the 50mm objective. If you want a bit more, get the 'high' rings.

 

[Sako man]

I knew I forgot something.

Depends, if he's bench shooting all the time the Jewell is fine. But if he is going to take it out hunting or outside of a range, I'd get the Timney. No experience with a Huber.

Well if you have ever shot a TRG or an SSG the Huber feels like those.

Comon, those Krauts make good stuff, you would't know…

 

[Hadwyn]

Yes you are correct. You do not want the scope to touch the barrel.
With a 50 mm objective you should be perfectly fine with medium height rings.
The purpose for rail cant is to maximize the usable elevation adjustments your particular scope was built with thus eliminating a portion of the distance between the center of your rifles bore and the center of your scopes cross hairs. Addressing the question will rail cant restrict your effective range? The answer is simple. A scope does not effect your rifles effective range. Effective range is based on the caliber of bullet you are using because of something called terminal ballistics ( the effect the bullet has on your target while passing through it ). However the rail cant can effect the distance you can dial your scopes center crosshairs for. due to maxing out the elevation turret on your scope.
Assuming this happens you are not out of luck because your reticle is designed with either mil dots or hash marks that you can use for additional elevation and Windage adjustments if you max out your scopes elevation.
I hope this is helpful and good luck with your shooting endeavors. Also I'm sure there are a lot of more knowledgable shooters on the hide. I just figured I would pass along some of the things I have learned through hours of reading.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Much appreciated, Schoolboy. I had most of that in mind when mentioning effective range, but you put it all together well - still learning on my end so thanks for the clarification.

I ordered my scope, along with my base and rings, from EuroOptic - they had, and still have as of today, a deal I couldn't pass up. The base I went with is the Badger Ordnance M700 Short Action Picatinny Rail 306-46, and the rings are the Badger Ordnance 34mm 1.00" Steel Ring Set 306-75, both of which I was leaning toward before. The rep assured me that the combo will enable me to zero in at 100 yards but still dial up past 1000, while providing just enough barrel clearance - hopefully not an over-zealous promise, but time will tell.

Thanks again for your input.

 

[Hadwyn]

Hadwyn, fill out your profile or at least location, check out the link up forum and when the time comes to put it all together I'm sure you will be able to find someone local who has all the tools necessary to give assistance.

With regards to a base, the standard is basically a 20moa picatinny base made by the likes of Seekins, Badger too name a few. The simple reason for having a canted base is that it also allows you to use the optical center of the glass when dialing for long range and yes they allow you to have more up elevation. (Not all scopes have ample elevation and they need a little help at times)

As for rings, the scope in question has a 34mm tube, Seekins make the lowest 34mm rings I believe at .92, they also make 1. rings, as does Badger and a few other companies.

To your question, I'm running a similar setup to yours, Rem 700 SA, varmint contour barrel like the 5R. I'm using a Seekins 20moa base and Seekins 34mm low rings .92. My scope has a 56mm objective and I still have room to use Aadmount scope caps.

Thanks for the instruction, mjh. I added my location and will be following up in that forum - glad you pointed that out, should prove useful.

Out of curiosity, which scope do you have mounted on your 700?

 

[Hadwyn]

Nice choice on that steiner. I bought same scope yesterday, it will get the job done for sure. Its a big scope but who cares.

Nice, congrats. I heard some complaints about the size in reviews but didn't feel it was enough to dissuade me given all the other admirable features (not to mention the price point). Perhaps the size and weight would adversely affect someone deployed for long periods with it, but even so the pros outweigh the cons. And as a new shooter you can't miss what you never had.

 

[Hadwyn]

When you get her squared away post some pics of your targets. That thing should be a hammer.

It'll be at the top of my list!

 

[Hadwyn]

I have the 16x Steiner and it's got to be one of my favorite pieces of glass. I have it on a 308 gun and I use an AI mount with 20moa cant from Mile High shooting, I recommend this budget mount above all. Think retail is 289$? So it has the MOA built into it. Otherwise if you want rings get some Seekins and you will never look back, super awesome. You will have to get a 20 MOA rail at that point.

The Steiner has a 50mm objective and the 5R is a varmint contour so not to worry about it banging into the barrel. I think I have even run low rings with that optic.

Lastly your going to need a bubble level. If your on a budget get the vortex.

Thanks for the reply, Sako. Do you recommend a bubble level fixed to the scope or would one I could drop in place as needed work? Haven't delved into that yet, what are the options?

 

[Hadwyn]

Get rid of that horrible stock. Some people buy the take offs here for a few hundred. Put that towards a Manners, McMillan or HS Precision.

Then:

- Steiner is great. If you are set on the 4-16 the Steiner is up there with any other optic in that range. I would either do that or a Nightforce F1 depending on what reticle you want.
- Badger rings
- Badger 1 piece 20MOA base
- Harris BRM 6-9 bipod (swivel and notched)
- KMW PodLoc
- Flush cups on the stock as well as 2 GrovTec swivels (stay away from Uncle Mike)
- TAB or SS Loop sling
- TAB rear bag
- Data book

Put it together and go shoot the shit out of it. At some point you'll want to do one/all of the following:

- Start reloading with the initial thought that you'll save money
- Send in action to be trued
- Get the stock bedded
- Get a match barrel
- Change to a 6.5 Creedmoor
- Get new bottom metal that takes AI magazines


Welcome to the Hide. Shit's about to get expensive.

German, you read my mind.

It's a decent stock, to be sure, but I'm fast at work to replace it. Had my eye on the Bell & Carlson Medalist for some time but want to depart from that style. Deliberating now between the HS Precision Pro-Series M24 and the McMillan ADJ A3-5 (or a Manners T2A, whichever deal comes up first). Combing reviews and comparisons of them while I wait for one to show up at the right price. Do you happen to know who Remington commissioned to make the stock 5R stock? Is it fetching as much as a few hundred? That would be a nice offset on a McMillan.

Saw some good things said about the Nightforce F1 but the cost was a big determining factor for me on the Steiner, which I pulled the trigger on a few days ago.

Went with a Badger rail (30 MOA) and rings (see my other message). Have the Harris on my shortlist but also considering the Atlas (any thoughts?). Will put some time into looking at all the other gear you recommended as well (familiar with TAB, great gear).

Thanks a lot for the rundown, I find it very helpful and have added it to my research list. You're a good ambassador of Sniper's Hide! And no kidding on that last remark.

 

[Hadwyn]

You forgot to mention getting rid of that shit 40x trigger.

1. Huber….best by far
2. Jewell
3. Timney

I knew I forgot something.

Depends, if he's bench shooting all the time the Jewell is fine. But if he is going to take it out hunting or outside of a range, I'd get the Timney. No experience with a Huber.


ETA - OP asked what to use to mount the optic with. Get a Borka torque driver. As for the ring height, you'll need a 34mm set from Badger part number 306-61. According to a CAD drawing I have from Marty, you will have .081 clearance from the rail with the 50mm objective. If you want a bit more, get the 'high' rings.

Thanks fellas, I'll keep that in mind. I have a Jewell at the end of my wishlist, but at the end because I want to have some time on the stock XMP so as to make it all the sweeter when I upgrade.

 

[Sako man]

Thanks for the reply, Sako. Do you recommend a bubble level fixed to the scope or would one I could drop in place as needed work? Haven't delved into that yet, what are the options?

Yes get a 34mm bubble level to attach to scope. Don't do the ones that attach to the base or mount, those are bunk. Vortex is fine or if you want to spend a little more cash get an Accuracy First by Tod Hoddnet, these are the best in my opinion. My reasoning is that you can adjust the level to the vertical stadia of the optic the other methods of mounting the level do not allow for that.

https://www.accuracy1stdg.com/store/

 

[Hadwyn]

Yes get a 34mm bubble level to attach to scope. Don't do the ones that attach to the base or mount, those are bunk. Vortex is fine or if you want to spend a little more cash get an Accuracy First by Tod Hoddnet, these are the best in my opinion. My reasoning is that you can adjust the level to the vertical stadia of the optic the other methods of mounting the level do not allow for that.

https://www.accuracy1stdg.com/store/

Thanks, Sako. How about the US Optics swivel bubble level?
USOptics Ext Cant Indicator Rail Mounted Swivel Bubble Level FREE S&H BBL-300. U.S. Optics Riflescope Mounts, Rings & Bases.

What are the disadvantages of the base attachment?

 

[Sako man]

Thanks, Sako. How about the US Optics swivel bubble level?
USOptics Ext Cant Indicator Rail Mounted Swivel Bubble Level FREE S&H BBL-300. U.S. Optics Riflescope Mounts, Rings & Bases.

What are the disadvantages of the base attachment?

The ones attached to the gun or the rail/base will not rotate with the vertical stadia. You can adjust the one that attaches to the optic to exactly align with your optics vertical line. As well some people including myself have a slight angle to my rifle to fit me ergonomically and the only thing that has to be perfect vertical with gravity is that line in the optic.

Just get what I showed you and you wont ever have to look back.