Nightforce Ultramount vs Unimount

[white_rushin]

I see that Nightforce sells two lines of one piece mounts. They have their Ultramount (looks like it was released a few years ago) and their “Ultralite” Unimount.

Is anyone aware of the differences between the two? It looks like both are compatible with their Multimount and dive board.

The Ultralite Unimount seems easier to find in local shops and at a better price.

 

[oldrifleman]

I see that Nightforce sells two lines of one piece mounts. They have their Ultramount (looks like it was released a few years ago) and their “Ultralite” Unimount.

Is anyone aware of the differences between the two? It looks like both are compatible with their Multimount and dive board.

The Ultralite Unimount seems easier to find in local shops and at a better price.

Not sure of the differences between the two, but please remove the "looking to buy" piece of your post as it will get you in trouble. That request is not permitted in the regular forums and is reserved for the PX which requires a paid membership.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

The UltraMounts were made for military applications so the heights are more conducive to being used with thermals, NV, and laser/illuminators. It also has a more robust mounting interface with additional recoil lugs to engage the pic rail and different cross bolt nuts that can be tightened with a flat head.

The UniMounts are made from similar materials and they're excellent quality, they just lack additional recoil lugs, have a more svelt design IMO, and they're offered in more configurations to suit different needs. I have two UniMounts and they've performed very well over the years.

 

[white_rushin]

The UltraMounts were made for military applications so the heights are more conducive to being used with thermals, NV, and laser/illuminators. It also has a more robust mounting interface with additional recoil lugs to engage the pic rail and different cross bolt nuts that can be tightened with a flat head.

The UniMounts are made from similar materials and they're excellent quality, they just lack additional recoil lugs, have a more svelt design IMO, and they're offered in more configurations to suit different needs. I have two UniMounts and they've performed very well over the years.

Thank you! This was exactly the explanation I was hoping for. I recently picked up a 1.5” a Unimount for a great price at a local big box store. I’m happy with it for the application I’m using it for.

I do think the ultramount would be great to try out in the future for those extra features.

Do you think the 1.375” height on a Unimount is too low for a flattop AR15? I see 1.5” is pretty much the low end nowadays so it seems uncommon for NF to offer that height.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

The 1.375" height is fine for a 30mm optic on a flat top. This is the 1.375" tall UniMount with a NF 2.5-10X24 and I've never had issues getting behind it or feeling like it was too low, even when I was running a NF 3.5-15X50.

 

[white_rushin]

The 1.375" height is fine for a 30mm optic on a flat top. This is the 1.375" tall UniMount with a NF 2.5-10X24 and I've never had issues getting behind it or feeling like it was too low, even when I was running a NF 3.5-15X50.

View attachment 8526561

That looks pretty sharp. It’s interesting, I guess the 1.5 minimum doesn’t matter on a scopes/precision setup if you don’t have any BUIS! The optic I’d be pairing it with has a 42mm objective so hopefully it would clear it well

 

[Trigger Monkey]

I'm running an offset BUIS on that rifle but I could still fit a set of low pro BUIS like the Magpul Pro's, MBUS 3, or similar under the ocular if I wanted to. 1.375" is enough to clear a 50mm objective.

 

[oldrifleman]

The 1.5 does not apply to small bell scopes. If you talk about 50-56 mm bells then it is a thing

 

[Cutout]

That looks pretty sharp. It’s interesting, I guess the 1.5 minimum doesn’t matter on a scopes/precision setup if you don’t have any BUIS! The optic I’d be pairing it with has a 42mm objective so hopefully it would clear it well

I have a 42mm objective with the 1.5" Unimount and it clears the pic rail just fine. I also have a 56mm objective optic with the 1.54" Ultramount and it also clears the pic rail just fine.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

My 1.375" UniMount with a NF 3.5-15X50, like I said that mount will work fine.

 

[M8541Reaper]

I used to have the 1.5” 20MOA UltraMount for my ATACR735. That thing was dead nuts on RTZ when removed/replaced. Once torqued, no shifting under 300PRC recoil or from bouncing around in a truck on dirt roads. Definitely worth it.

(Only reason I don’t have one anymore is because I now run a TT735)

 

[Rob01]

I have tried a 1.3" mount in the past and it was just too low for me to get comfortably behind on my AR I go 1.5" now whether 56mm or 24mm objectives. That height is easier for me to get behind so OP you might want to try one first.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

Well, you know....different head shapes and all.....

 

[Rob01]

Well, you know....different head shapes and all.....

Exactly. Why he should check for himself and try.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

I mean I can fit my medium size pumpkin head down behind there lol....just sayin'

 

[white_rushin]

Well this adds a few differing options which is good. I figure the safer call is trying them both out, but NF mounts in general don’t seem to be easy to come across at local shops. It would be hard just to find a 1.375 to try in person before buying

 

[crosseyedshooter]

I use the 1.375" height with a Viper 3-15x44 on an LMT 308 and it's the perfect height for prone shooting. With a thin riser/pad on the stock, I can get comfortable behind the scope for extended periods of time. I've also fit a 5-25x50 on the same mount and still have enough clearance for a sunshade and lens cap.

If you're going to fit the gun to you with a cheek riser, I wouldn't worry too much about the difference between 1.375"and 1.54" heights.

 

[white_rushin]

I’m a little late to respond but I ended up standardizing and going with 1.54” 30mm ultramounts. I love the look and it’s truly amazing they came up with such a robust design that’s still so lightweight.

I only wish the Multimount and diveboard was cheaper because it’s expensive to try and find piggyback solutions.

My only question is, I know the crossbolts can be torqued to 100 inch/lbs. my fixit sticks only go to 65 inch/lbs currently. Is it actually necessary to torque to 100?

 

[Southpaw357]

I’m a little late to respond but I ended up standardizing and going with 1.54” 30mm ultramounts. I love the look and it’s truly amazing they came up with such a robust design that’s still so lightweight.

I only wish the Multimount and diveboard was cheaper because it’s expensive to try and find piggyback solutions.

My only question is, I know the crossbolts can be torqued to 100 inch/lbs. my fixit sticks only go to 65 inch/lbs currently. Is it actually necessary to torque to 100?

View attachment 8580689

65 is fine

 

[Makinchips208]

Yeah, the dumb idea of 100 inch pounds was probably a military spec number?

The ultramounts have the same cross bolt as the unimount. So why so tight? I dont know. I always do 65-68 ish.

Here is another thread on the subject.

Thread 'Nightforce ring torque question'
https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/nightforce-ring-torque-question.6617556/

 

[ToddM]

The extra torque on the ultramount might be because the clamp piece is wider than the unimount, so if you want the same pressure on the longer "claw" with the rail you need to put more torque into the system. I can't imagine it slipping with 65in/lbs either though.

I've often wondered why NF uses Ti in the bolts and clamp "claws". The only reason I can think of is for weight savings which seems silly given the application. Steel cross bolts and "claws" would flex less, be less likely to strip, etc. while Ti flexes and elongates more which perhaps lets it "conform" better to rails. It's clearly not an issue never seen one fail, but always been curious about it. Corrosion resistance as well I'm sure..

One thing I will say is if you ever run into an undersized picatinny rail the NF unimount is one of the best to try. I have a Mega Maten upper on a 6.5 that has an undersized rail. Seekins MXM/rings, ARC Mbrace/rings, Burris XTR, will all slide by hand easily with the bolts bottomed, but the NF unimounts holds like a champ.

 

[TonyAngel]

I went with the unimount just because it looked like there is more space between the rings and the rear ring is farther back on the unimount. I like to get the rear ring as close to the ocular bell as possible to minimize the effects of leverage in case the bell takes a hit.

In any case, one thing I found disappointing with the nightforce mounts is the lack of options for mounting a top dot. I found that using the options from nightforce too high. I did find a company by the name of Koeng that offers mounting plates for mounts, like the nightforce and Leupold stuff.

 

[Southpaw357]

I went with the unimount just because it looked like there is more space between the rings and the rear ring is farther back on the unimount. I like to get the rear ring as close to the ocular bell as possible to minimize the effects of leverage in case the bell takes a hit.

In any case, one thing I found disappointing with the nightforce mounts is the lack of options for mounting a top dot. I found that using the options from nightforce too high. I did find a company by the name of Koeng that offers mounting plates for mounts, like the nightforce and Leupold stuff.

Check this out...

https://baldknobberarmament.com/scope-mounts/

 

[TonyAngel]

Check this out...

https://baldknobberarmament.com/scope-mounts/

Oh, yeah. Those look nice. I went with the nightforce ring topper with the koeng adapter because I liked the idea of the increased surface area with the nightforce top ring. Less chance of messing up the scope tube in the event of a hard hit.