Optilock base question

[RoscoeP]

I have a Sako Finnlight model 85 in 7mm-08. Today I mounted a Leupold 6 power var lll on it using Optilock bases and rings. The rear base has a stop pin on it so that is pretty obvious about how far forward it goes on the dovetail before clamping.
My question is about the front base. I would have thought that it would slide forward on the dovetail as far as it can, so it is snug then tighten the side clamp. But the instructions say that, quote "the rear of the front base should be level with the front of the ejection opening" at that point the base still feels abit loose on the rifle dovetail. I mean after you tighten the side clamp it is tight, but it just seems that it would be better if it was pushed as far forward as it could go. What am I missing here? Does anybody know what is correct? I don't want my scope coming loose while I am out on a hunt. Thanks in advance, I hope someone can help me. Cheers Roscoe

 

[blargon]

If the base is loose, the screw can't be tight. It draws the base together on the dovetail. That said, you can slide the base ahead a bit, and it'll be fine.

 

[Rman]

First off, I run Optilocks on several Sako's, and I like them. They are, however, very difficult to set up correctly. The base has to be square with the ring, or you will mangle your scope. This sound easy, but when you torque the screw, the ring wants to move. I use a small square and a line to do this, and it works well. I never paid much attention to what the instructions said, and located the base in the middle of the dovetail. A good compromise. I'm sure either way would work. I also use a feeler gauge has a shim when I snug up the base screw against the dovetail so it doesn't cant. I've used these on .243's all the way up to a .375 H&H, and I have never had a problem. Torque everthing down, and they will never come loose or slip.

R.

 

[RoscoeP]

base loose

If the base is loose, the screw can't be tight. It draws the base together on the dovetail. That said, you can slide the base ahead a bit, and it'll be fine.

What I mean is where they say to tighten the base it is not fully forward on the dovetail. It does tighten down after I do the side clamp but why not have it fully forward then tighten the side clamp it will be more secure?

 

[Rman]

The screw you are tightening makes up for the change in the size of the dovetail. No matter where it is on the dovetail, it will be secure. The only thing you would change was how much (length) of screw you used. At the start of the dovetail it may take five full turns, while at the end (the widest part) it may only take three.

Hope this helps.

R.