Rifle Scopes Tikka Scope Ring Advice

PinesAndProjectiles

Formerly MinnesotaMulisha
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Minuteman
  • Jul 30, 2013
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    I've bought my Dad a Tikka T3X Lite for Christmas and I need to scope it.

    My search has yielded Warne and DNZ scope mounts.

    I won't look at the Warne because they are vertically split.

    Has anyone used the DNZ mounts?

    Any other sources I should be looking at?

    Thanks
     
    Put an EGW pic rail on it and take your pick of any decent set of rings - TPS, Talley, Vortex, Badger, Seekins, etc.

    I actually run the Tikka pic rail and cheap SWFA rings on my CTR and they work just fine since I got them installed properly. Was having issues originally, but the Hide helped me figure it out. But my CTR is heavy and braked, so the rings don't take as much of a beating as an un-braked T3x Lite would.
     
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    Nothing wrong with the factory rings. I dropped my rifle twice HARD trying to hunt too soon after shoulder surgery. The zero never shifted at all. Good enough for me!
     
    I used to just use the factory rings, but had a pair cause me issues threw them away and now use Talley one piece rings.

    Really light weight and have held very well, unless you need a canted base I'd go for these.
     
    I use the Warne vertically split rings on 2 hunting rifles and never had a problem. One of them has had the heck beat out of it and always held zero.

    Only thing wrong with vertically split is people don't install them properly, most people are too smart to read the directions!
     
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    I use the Warne vertically split rings on 2 hunting rifles and never had a problem. One of them has had the heck beat out of it and always held zero.

    Only thing wrong with vertically split is people don't install them properly, most people are too smart to read the directions!

    Why take the chance and make it harder on yourself to mount the scope? What benefit do you get out of vertically split rings vs traditional... serious question?
     
    Why take the chance and make it harder on yourself to mount the scope? What benefit do you get out of vertically split rings vs traditional... serious question?
    I have both Warne and Larue vertically split rings.

    There is nothing about them that makes them harder to mount a scope with compared to horizontal rings. People's problems with them are self inflicted.

    Benefits?
    • They are slimmer in width compared to horizontal rings
    • For certain rifles I've had (Sako and CZ), Warnes have been the only rings that fit that rifle's dovetail and provided the ring height I was after
     
    I have both Warne and Larue vertically split rings.

    There is nothing about them that makes them harder to mount a scope with compared to horizontal rings. People's problems with them are self inflicted.

    Benefits?
    • They are slimmer in width compared to horizontal rings
    • For certain rifles I've had (Sako and CZ), Warnes have been the only rings that fit that rifle's dovetail and provided the ring height I was after

    Thanks for the info. I was looking for the lowest possible rings to mount a 1-5 vx5 on my tikka ( for a better cheek weld) and wondered if the vertically split rings on the tikka dovetail would be my lowest option but I over looked them because of issues I’ve heard of. Can you explain the self inflicted problems during mounting? Or just read the f***ing directions right
     
    Why take the chance and make it harder on yourself to mount the scope? What benefit do you get out of vertically split rings vs traditional... serious question?

    I've mounted multiple 100's of scopes since 1975, using pretty much every ring/base combo available.
    I've shot competitively in multiple disciplines since I was 12 years old (over 45 years, wow!, that's scary!)
    Anyway, the vertically split rings have their place, I specifically like them in 2 areas...

    First, on a true hard use hunting gun that will be slid into and out of a saddle scabbard quickly, they make a nice slick sided package that does not drag when getting pulled. They are also one less thing to poke and dig on you if you carry flat slung in front while hiking.

    I also like them on a hard use AR for the same reason I hate charging handles that tear holes in me when I'm running and climbing slung up.

    Anyway, for installation (as 308pirate said), just remember to fully torque the bottom screws FIRST, leaving the top screws totally loose, level scope and get eye relief, then torque top screws....simple.

    People don't read the directions and try to tighten them in a top/bottom crisscross motion (like a normal horizontally split ring) and it will not work, period.
     
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    I’ve had Talley and DNZ - no complaints with either. DNZ are made just down the road from me, I grabbed some to support a local business and because I appreciated the idea of a one piece mount that didn’t weigh a ton and cost a kidney.

    ETA: being something of a neophyte, I didn’t even realize people had trouble with vertically split mounts.
     
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    I like the Sako Optilock ring/mounts on a Tikka T3.

    Outside of that, I also like Warne and Larue. I have one DNZ mount on a T/C Strike but haven’t shot it yet.
     
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