Rifle Scopes New Guy Question

[jlorensen]

Listened to a podcast today and the idea of buying a "great scope" and switching it between a couple rifles came up. Is this fairly common, or is it too much pain in the ass to switch/reserve each time?

Seems to make sense financially, but ammo/reloading cost increases would eventually get you back to even.

 

[Dr. Davy Jones]

I fall more on the pain in the ass side of the fence, but a quality QD mount would obviously make the process easier.
For me it’s just a hassle to zero the new rifle, set a new zero stop, just to have to change it back. I like having guns that are g2g. The height of the scope mounts may be an issue too- one gun has a great cheek weld, the next needs a lower mount, etc.
All that said, if you’re willing to deal with the hassle and don’t need all of your guns to stay set up at one time- it is cheaper...

 

[SageRatSafaris]

It’s a bad idea. At a minimum, you have to verify zero after each switch. Plus probable issues with zero being at different dial clicks on each rifle. It flies against the core tenets of consistency and repeatability. Frankly, I don’t understand the demand for QD mounts.

 

[TheHorta]

Buy two Quigley Fords.

Problem solved.

 

[Skg_Mre_Lght]

I don't care for switching scopes on any gun. I have also found that quick detach mounts never mount back on exactly the way they were the first time, or the time before that. I only have two quick detach mounts, and they are on ARs with BUIS that never get used, and the mount never gets taken off.

 

[jlorensen]

Thanks all!

 

[jgsh1375]

Have to agree with the others. I say, "buy a rifle, buy an optic." Saves a lot of time, aggravation, ammo and sanity. Good luck.

 

[nightman89]

Have to agree with the others. I say, "buy a rifle, buy an optic." Saves a lot of time, aggravation, ammo and sanity. Good luck.

I'm in this camp. Theoretically the idea of one optic for multiple rifles sounds good, but in practice it just doesn't work that well. I like the idea of having an optic dedicated to each rifle, zeroed and ready to go so I'm not wasting time checking zero every time it gets swapped.

 

[Dr. Davy Jones]

I'm in this camp. Theoretically the idea of one optic for multiple rifles sounds good, but in practice it just doesn't work that well. I like the idea of having an optic dedicated to each rifle, zeroed and ready to go so I'm not wasting time checking zero every time it gets swapped.

Amen

 

[_Windrider_]

Well this isn’t uncommon and it’s not as hard as it may seem. I mean we use one scope for switch barrel rifles right? It’s the same thing. The badger and spuhr quick change mounts are solid and repeatable. In addition small kits like the fix it stix make using regular mounts a breez to torque in the field or at the range.
It’s a simple process. Let’s say u r using a 6 creed a 308 and 6.5x47 between the same scope. Zero the scope with the 6 creed (the point being zero with the flattest shooting projectile) and then when you switch it to the next rifle just note the offset in zero and adjust. I suggest making marks where you mount the scope so you are sure it’s put back in the same location every time and be sure to put forward pressure while torquing in order to seat it proper for recoil. It’s really not that big of a deal. Can it be a pain, of course. But it’s doable until the budget allows for more optics.

 

[theLBC]

i think this depends on your "real" budget.
agree with people saying it is better if you don't, but if you truly cannot afford 2 great scopes?
i will say that the bobro mounts are extremely good at return to zero, and i have take mine off and on several times to put a different optic on the same rifle and never had to rezero it.

 

[Dr. Davy Jones]

i think this depends on your "real" budget.
agree with people saying it is better if you don't, but if you truly cannot afford 2 great scopes?
i will say that the bobro mounts are extremely good at return to zero, and i have take mine off and on several times to put a different optic on the same rifle and never had to rezero it.

I’ve heard the same about Bobro- do they really stand out from others in regards to return to zero?

 

[theLBC]

I’ve heard the same about Bobro- do they really stand out from others in regards to return to zero?

i have seen reviews or comparisons that show it holds the best but obviously i am a poor and cannot speak from experience with many of them.
note this review is for a single lever mount, and i use a dual lever scar mount.

A Guide to Quick-Detach Scope Mounts

Mount ’Em Up

www.recoilweb.com

what i can tell you is they have a patented system that is like a press fit. the mount will not wiggle even before you clamp it down.
you don't have to "push the mount forward" to make sure it doesn't shift under recoil....

jmo, but i think the crude design of cam locks (like larue) suck, although many people like them.

The Precision Optic Mount features the Patented [US Patent 8,567,105] BLAC™ lever system which was designed around the following parameters:

• Must be compatible with any 1913 Specification Rail, to include systems that are out of specification (within reason) and this includes Weaver rails.
• Must be completely tool and user adjustable free. It needs to be 100% self contained and mate securely to any rail without the user having to tailor the pressure/engagement position.
• Must lock with enough pressure to positively attach any device or optical instrument to a rail without movement, static or dynamic forces not withstanding.
• The rail must not experience any deformation due to user error. This must include synthetic (plastic/polymer/composite) rail systems.
• Auto Index capability. The device must also index parallel to the bore. The unit must always repeat the forward shift (recoil forces direction of influence) not only to maximize zero repeatability, but to take this step of installation out of the users initial mounting sequence. Index must be redundant.
• Unit must not shoot loose due to improper mounting or a mechanical bottoming out.
• The system must incorprate a safety that prevents the lever from being accidentally opened. The safety must be able to be manipulated in conjunction with the lever rotation, so that only one hand is required to open it.
• The unit will utilize constant force to ensure required pressure in all conditions. The force must be substantial to prevent any shift forward/aft left/right.
• The pressure must be applied in a linear direction centered in the main body to prevent cocking of the mount.
• It must be easy to manipulate by gloved or fatigued hands.
• It must be extremely robust, and withstand shock and impact to the system housing.
• There were others, but by listing them we would compromise our trade secrets.

 

[Dr. Davy Jones]

i have seen reviews or comparisons that show it holds the best but obviously i am a poor and cannot speak from experience with many of them.

A Guide to Quick-Detach Scope Mounts

Mount ’Em Up

www.recoilweb.com

what i can tell you is they have a patented system that is like a press fit. the mount will not wiggle even before you clamp it down.
you don't have to "push the mount forward" to make sure it doesn't shift under recoil....

Gotcha, super interesting. Thanks for the article! Hadn’t seen a comparison like that.

 

[7WSMShooter]

The ERA Tac qd mounts are the best I’ve found QD for returning to zero.
Jason Bainey from EuroOptics did an interesting test on that mount
And the quick change barrel return to zero functionality of an AI and the results
Were very impressive for both rifle and scope mount. After getting one and trying
It, got rid of all my other qds and picked up a few of those. They are not cheap, or lightweight, but come up for sale here regularly in the px for cheaper. If you need a QD mount and need something to return to Zero, I have found nothing better.
Now for changing mount between rifle, depends on the rails, not gonna be qd and return to zero doing that from rifle to rifle. Better off to pic one rifle/chassis with QC barrels and do that. AI and desert tech rifles come to mind.
Or custom built like the WTO switch lug. Shorty, lightweight 308, 6.5 Creed, 7-08, 7SAW, 6 Creed, 243, etc for hunting plinking and a long barrel for comps, LR shooting.

 

[Slevin182]

Unless you really can't swing the $, get a dedicated optic for the rifle. My experience has shown that QD mounts as well as traditional rings have good return to zero on the same rifle if you use a torque wrench. Swapping them back and forth and having to re-zero turrets would get old fast.

 

[danr]

QD mounts do work and as long as it’s a quality optic you’ll be good to go.

 

[Vivacious Stallion]

Swapping optics around could certainly work, but it does mean you have several non-functional weapons in the meantime. Plus as others have said, you'll be constantly checking your zero in order to see that your POI hasn't moved.