Rifle Scopes Tikka T3 Lite > lightweight scope mounting options?

[gmillikan]

Want to keep the weight down - How would you mount a Leopold VX-3L 1" on a 17mm dovetail rail?

I don't have rings or base yet so I'm totally open to suggestions.

Spuhr? NEAR?

Thanks,

Geoff

PS. This is my first rifle ever, I'm totally green.

 

[holy cow]

I would get a EGW pic rail and mount it on it. You can pick 1 up over at Hinterland and I think Euro optics a vendor here has some in stock also.

 

[gmillikan]

Ok either this or this heavy duty Evolution Gun Works base look nifty.

But it adds weight to convert from dovetail to Picatinny, right?

What do you think about mounting directly to the dovetail?

 

[Cproflow]

Also check out the Tikka Performance Center...they have pic rails built especially for Tikka. Reasonable pricing too. The downside is that they are not a Hide sponsor--at least to my knowledge.
For rings, there is always a range, based on what you are doing and how much you want to spend. Seekins are a favorite around here, and Aadland (Jon A. here on the Hide) makes some great ones too.

 

[Carl_Ross]

For lightweight mounts on a T3 lite, go with Talley Lightweights or the DNZ mounts.

DNZ medium is a bit lower than my Talley low's.

 

[jake_c02]

I've used a egw picatinny rail and dnz both work. I prefer the picatinny though the dnz is probably lighter .

 

[gmillikan]

The Talley Lightweight Scope Mount looks good - 7000 series aluminium should be lightweight! Found a picture of the setup here.

Is the DNZ Game Reaper mount maybe a bit heavier than Talley? Looks like maybe a bit more metal (link)? This guy had problems w/DNZ lining up properly - should I be concerned about that?

Nothing at the Tikka Performance Center grabbed me.

Still confused on advantage of layering on a Picatinny rail instead of using the dovetail directly?

Thanks,

Geoff

PS. Thanks so much for the help!! (I'm a total n00b - apologies if I'm asking remedial questions.)

 

[SmokyJoe]

I'm using the DNZ game reaper on my T3 Lite; I had no problems with alignment or fit. Aside from low weight, I like that the smooth profile does not snag on anything. The direct dovetail mount saves weight.

 

[Chris@InterstateGuns]

We use the talley ring base combo here in the shop. Works great.

 

[ccoker]

You said "lightweight"
Talley

They are my default choice for a hunting rifle.

 

[gmillikan]

Called Talley and tech said Leupold VX-3L scope would still clear with the low (1/2 inch) rings so getting those. He suggested buying at Midway.

Going this route unless anyone has other thoughts?

Thanks,

Geoff

PS. Will post picture in a few weeks (My California 10-day waiting period for rifle starts this Friday when our FFL guy finally had an opening to start the paperwork.)

 

[Rancid Coolaid]

What caliber?

Tika T3s ship with rings (that suck, but can handle light recoil calibers.) My T3s wear the Talley base-ring combos, they have been very good to me.

 

[gmillikan]

What caliber? Tika T3s ship with rings (that suck, but can handle light recoil calibers.)

.270 Win. Do the included rings mount to the dovetail directly? You think they'll fit my 1" scope tube?

LOL, I'm such a newbie, I have no idea what's in the box!

 

[Rancid Coolaid]

The rings do fit the rail milled into the receiver. And they are 1" rings; however, I too have a 270 in T3 Lite and I wouldn't recommend those rings for that gun (it generates a bit of recoil.) My 270 wears the Talley rings and I have been exceedingly pleased.

 

[roggom]

Yes they will, but just save yourself some headaches. Sako makes top notch quality rifles, the stock fits the action with the utmost precision; however, the factory rings leave much to be desired.

My biggest issue is the crossbolt, I just don trust it. I torqued them and blue locktited but had one loosen (7mm mag). I now use Talley on one Tikka and DNZ on the other. Warne also make nice rings, they have an integral front recoil lug and clamp to the dovetail.

 

[gmillikan]

I wouldn't recommend those rings for that gun (it generates a bit of recoil.) My 270 wears the Talley rings and I have been exceedingly pleased.

Awesome, thanks so much. Anything else you'd recommend? Good ammo? (Target species is California mule deer.) I should probably start a new thread for this.

I now use Talley on one Tikka and DNZ on the other. Warne also make nice rings, they have an integral front recoil lug and clamp to the dovetail.

The Warne rings look good but I think they're made from steel so looking to stay lightweight.

 

[Limedust]

I really liked the DNZ mount; it's lightweight, sleek, and let me mount a 40mm Vortex Viper really low. However, I did have a problem with the ring screws shearing. Happened to me twice, same ring. Now, I'm not sure when the first one happened, but the second occurred on the 16th trigger pull of a range trip (I have T3 Lite in .308). Just popped the hex head right off the thing and I had to drill it out . . . twice.

Take the anecdote for what it's worth; I can't be sure that it was the mount flexing under recoil, or if I did something wrong, or it was just pure bad luck. I had everything torqued proper and mounted according to manufacturers instructions. I ordered a set of Sako Optilocs with the bases--on clearance, direct from Beretta--for 55 bucks . . . they are a little heavier, but are good, solid steel, with four screws per ring, and they too mount right on the integral rail. After 300 rounds they're as solid as can be.

 

[beretta_man11]

my t3 has the dnz 30mm lows. They are lightweight and seem to be made well. one of my screw holes didn't seem to be tapped very well but i chased it with a tap and all is well. they are sleek with no real edges but almost look a little different. I've used talley in the past and if i had it to do over, i'd go talley again.

 

[gmillikan]

Wow, cool picture!

 

[gmillikan]

I got the Talley's on Optics Planet for $39.77 w/free shipping. Cheap at twice the price! Will post picture.

Can't thank you all enough, thanks so much.

 

[downlow]

Yes they will, but just save yourself some headaches. Sako makes top notch quality rifles, the stock fits the action with the utmost precision; however, the factory rings leave much to be desired.

My biggest issue is the crossbolt, I just don trust it. I torqued them and blue locktited but had one loosen (7mm mag). I now use Talley on one Tikka and DNZ on the other. Warne also make nice rings, they have an integral front recoil lug and clamp to the dovetail.

Same here. Don't waste your time with the factory rings that will come with it.

 

[SPAK]

Buy my rail for sale in the classifieds

in all seriousness, EGW, Tikka performance all sell quality rails that will do what you ask of it.

 

[downlow]

Oh, forgot to add...Talley LW's ...Low will get plenty of clearance with any 40MM objective, and some 50's. I got a 4.5-14X50 Leupy into a set of Low's, and had a touch of room between the bell and the barrel.

 

[gmillikan]

Thanks Downlow!

I'll be taking the Talley LW's & scope to a rifle smith for mounting because I just have no idea how to do it like: Do I need to bore sight it? w/laser bore sight? Don't want to buy one for single use - can I rent one? Sheesh. Is there a "Rifles for Dummies" for those of us who grew up in families wo/firearms?

 

[downlow]

I've mounted and remounted DOZENS of scopes over 10 years using this...

STRAIGHT SHOT SEGWAY RETICLE LEVELER MK-III | Sinclair Intl

You can do it yourself.

 

[gmillikan]

Do I screw the Talley rings in where these plug screws are? I tried unscrewing the plug screws... And they start unscrewing and coming out... But instead of screwing all the way out, they just spin and spin... I tried to lift them out with my fingernails but they're really in there. I must be making a really dumb newbie error. Am I doing it wrong?

 

[gmillikan]

Also the ring base is a bit wider than the rail, is that ok? (I thought it would be flush)

 

[jake_c02]

Yeah you screw your bases into the holes where the black screws are. As far as the bases being wide I'm not as I have different mounting system but I'd think its alright.

 

[finefire]

Take a look at SK's. Very light, very strong.

 

[gmillikan]

Get the plug screws out by screwing them all the way in (after removing the bolt) and the little plastic plug screws fall into the chamber. Weird. Whatever.

 

[gmillikan]

So does the foot of the Talley base point toward muzzle or butt? Talley manual says nothing.

This guy has the foot pointing to the butt: http://tinyurl.com/lq6dyls

This guy has the foot pointing to the muzzle: http://tinyurl.com/m7sumof

 

[gmillikan]

This Talley video shows:
- Feet pointing outward: http://tinyurl.com/ojgsemp
- Both feet forward: http://tinyurl.com/khhn9eg
- Feet pointing inward: http://tinyurl.com/kqmlksb

So doesn't seem to matter, just personal preference or to make the mount wider (feet inward), smaller (feet outward) or shift the scope backwards or forwards.