scoping a BLR

jjohnwm

jjohnwm

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I've always found that the eye relief on a BLR scoped in the usual way is insufficient for comfortable use. All of the scope mounts that I have found are two-piece types, and both the front and rear sections set a little too far back for my use. I want to avoid drilling and tapping any more holes in the top of the receiver. The perfect solution would be a Weaver or Picatinny rail that uses the existing factory holes, stretches the entire length of the receiver and has multiple slots to allow latitude in ring placement. Does anyone know if such a base is available for the BLR?

To clarify a bit further, the gun in question is a takedown model, equipped with the barrel-mounted scout-style base already. I want the receiver-mounted base to allow the use of either scope type, with one of each type mounted in QD rings for versatility. This should make the gun into a nice all-around package, easy to store and keep handy in a compact package, with two pre-sighted scopes available for instant use.
 
Mine's a takedown & I think the receiver drillings are the same on both types. I guess it depends on what glass you put on, as to how much eye relief is available, but I have a Bushnell HD 1.75x-5x, with Weaver rings, on mine & there's plenty of relief for me. But obviously, everyone is different. Plus, mine is straight stock, so maybe the pistol grip would make a difference also?

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Thanks, kamlooky, that's exactly the base-ring setup I have on my other BLR (non-takedown). That works great for me because it lets me push the scope forward...you can see that you have at least an inch of free space to move yours forward, which helps when you have a giraffe neck like me. :) If I shot your gun set up the way you have it, I'd need to hold my head way back to avoid getting scope-bit, and to get a full field of view.

I want to use Weaver or Picatinny QD rings on the take-down. The Weaver base I've found has only one rear slot and one front slot, and both are much further to the rear than I want them. I think the holes are identically placed, I just want a base with more ring placement options...Picatinny slots would be ideal.

sk8r, my gun is also straight grip, and my rings are currently mounted just like yours, but for me that placement just doesn't work. That scope is simply too far back for ideal comfort for me.
 
I got into a tiffy one day on one of my shooters as the base had what you described.
Came up with an idea and took idea to notion to action.
Wandered over to Mr. Snap On toy box to the file drawer and found a wee square file.
Figured out where I wanted the scope to set and marked the bases with a pencil.
Then took to filing a new slot (s).
Then I yelled................................... "Bingo".............. :wave:
 
Yep, I've done the same on a number of Weaver bases in the past. It's easy and it works, and if I intended to leave the scope mounted all the time I would have done the same thing on this one. BUT...the scope won't be on this gun most of the time. I prefer the scout-scope and usually use it. This base is just for the odd occasion when I want to use a regular scope, maybe as a back-up if I have a problem with the scout or if I want more magnification for target work. Every time I have filed a base, no matter how carefully I work, it always looks...like I filed the base! I just don't want that on display all the time. :)
 
I don't have a takedown model but I'm currently running a EGW picatinny on my straight gripped BLR. I used an old Weaver K1 scope mounted in Leupold QRW rings on it this hunting season which gave me enough eye relief and allowed me to remove the scope to use the irons if necessary while still retaining zero.

My goal is to use a small red dot (Burris FastFire) next season while having a scope/QR rings for longer shots so I can switch at will. I recently posted a pic of my BLR/red dot set up in the #### thread.
 
Well, I decided that since the base I have isn't doing the job I want it to do, I had nothing to lose by modifying it. Except on further examination it became obvious that the base itself is too short...even with an additional groove ground for the rear ring, the front ring can't be moved any further forward because it's already at the front edge of the rail. So, a quick and desperate pawing-through of the junk drawer produced a blank piece of dovetail rail, which I then cut to the exact length of the receiver top. Some careful measuring, marking and a few minutes on the drill press have produced a correct-length rail with holes matching the receiver, which now only needs the appropriate cross-grooves and then some polishing and finishing. The hand-filing begins tomorrow.

And since I know this will look like crap when it's done, I'm probably going to order the EGW rail as well. :) Thanks for that tip, fugawi. Where did you get yours?
 
Small/short carbine rifles (like a BLR) deserves a small scope (like a VXIII 1.5x5) and mounted as low to the bore as possible given the low comb on the BLR buttstock.


A 3x9 looks right goofy adding too much weight and hindering good handling properties.
 
I totally agree, SC, and the 1.5-5 Leupold is one of my favourite hunting scopes. I have several and was planning one for this gun as well. In this case, Leupold's excellent eye relief, compared to some cheaper scopes, makes the problem of too-far-rearward mounting even more apparent. I will probably have a 3-9 something-or-other prepared in QD mounts as well, and might consider using it for some hunts where longer shooting is expected.

The end goal is a versatile rifle that can be used for almost any hunt, can live taken-down in my truck when working away from home, doesn't cost as much as the truck, and has at least one alternate scope option ready to shoot if needed as a back-up or for different conditions. I see a total of three scopes in QD rings: a scout scope, a regular low-power zoom and a traditional 3-9x zoom. The chambering is .325WSM, the only short mag that has any appeal to me. I wouldn't take one as a gift in a bolt action rifle, but in the BLR I wanted a short action to keep the short lever throw and nice handling characteristics (compared to the long action), and the ability to use some heavier bullets...and I just wanted to play with the 8mm cartridge.

I know a lot of folks espouse the idea of buying one uber-scope and using it on more than one gun via QD mounting. Personally, I think that idea is ridiculous. I think it makes more sense to have at least a couple of scopes for any serious hunting gun, sighted-in and ready to go. The ideal embodiment of this idea is the Blaser 93 and 8 rifles, and I have a couple and think they are they ultimate in practical hunting guns, but they're just too pricy for me to just throw one under the seat of my truck and head out to a job for a few weeks. This BLR will (I hope...) provide much or most of their benefits...accuracy, speed, versatility, packability...for a fraction of their price.

If I feel ambitious, I may take a few pics when it's done and post them here, just so folks can begin to throw rocks and insults at me. :)
 
jjohnwm said:
And since I know this will look like crap when it's done, I'm probably going to order the EGW rail as well. :) Thanks for that tip, fugawi. Where did you get yours?
Click to expand...

I ordered mine directly from EGW. It has a groove in it so that the picatinny rail itself doesn't obscure the irons. Its very well made (as it should be - its not cheap).

I used an old El Paso, Texas made Weaver K1 1X scope this hunting season. It has good eye relief and a heavy post with fine crosshair reticule. Not quite a German #4. Beside the red dot, I eventually want to mount a 1X-4/5X scope with generous eye relief and field of view. The Leupold is a possiblity (I'm open to other suggestions).

BTW I bought my BLR in a short action for the same reason. I'm not recoil shy but passed on a magnum caliber as its a relatively light rifle (I shoot a .270 WSM in my long range gun). Instead I opted for a .358 and shoot 225-250 gr bullets.
 
SuperCub said:
Small/short carbine rifles (like a BLR) deserves a small scope (like a VXIII 1.5x5) and mounted as low to the bore as possible given the low comb on the BLR buttstock.


A 3x9 looks right goofy adding too much weight and hindering good handling properties.
Click to expand...

Lots of logic here, but I already had the scope and use what's in the kitty.
Sort of robbing Peter tuh pay Paul.
 
jjohnwm said:
To clarify a bit further, the gun in question is a takedown model, equipped with the barrel-mounted scout-style base already. I want the receiver-mounted base to allow the use of either scope type, with one of each type mounted in QD rings for versatility. This should make the gun into a nice all-around package, easy to store and keep handy in a compact package, with two pre-sighted scopes available for instant use.
Click to expand...

Had you considered the barrel mounted scout mount that Browning has for this takedown model?

I have the same rifle and kinda looking to put a Burris Fastfire 3 on a barrel mounted picatinny scout mount. The barrel on the TD model has 2 screws for a scout mount but I'm not sure if the rear sight has to be removed as well. If the sight has to be removed, I will probably go with a receiver mounted EGW mount like fugawi has on his.
 
Yes, that scope mount is already mounted on the barrel, and I have been using a Leupold scout scope for a year or so now with complete satisfaction. I just want to expand the optics possibilities for the gun. If I'm going on a hunt any further away than my own back 40, I want a back-up optic.
 
Moving a receiver mounted scope forward will most likely interfere with the takedown (unless you use a compact scope).
I have two piece Weaver mount on my BLR takedown and cannot take it down without removing the rear sight with my 3x9 scope already...
 
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