Help with mounting a scope - Rem 7600, Nikon Buckmaster, Leupold base and rings

ryanloco

ryanloco

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I picked up a new Remington 7600 (.270) back in November. I got a Nikon Buckmasters 3x9 for Christmas along with a Leupold STD. 1 piece base and the matching rings (front is dovetail and the rear sits flush in between a set of windage adjustment screws).

I was out to the range today to finally try the new set-up out, and noticed everything loosened up over time with the recoil of the rifle. I had everything pretty secure before leaving but noticed first the scope moving at the rear as the windage screws came loose, then the rings followed.

Any tips on setting a scope up? First thought is a few drops of locktite - any recommendations?

Any feedback on the Leupold bases? The rear windage system seems pretty 'mickey mouse' but came recommended. Any alternatives that anyone might suggest?

Thanks
Ryan
 
I am going to get flamed for this but the rear windage adjustable opposing screw design originally introduce by Redfield and now sold by Leupold are mickey mouse as you surmise.

Any significant amount of windage that you dial into the rear will torque your scope tube. Furthermore many people fail to read the instructions when mounting the forward dovetail and use the scope tube as a bar to leverage the dovetail into place...this is NOT smart.

Overall there are better arrangements... probably the most forgiving design - and the one that provides recoil shoulders at both front and rear rings as well as windage/elevation adjustments in the rings without torquing the tube are the Burris Signature "Z" rings with the plastic inserts and set up for weaver style bases....
 
Well, I took the scope out of the rings, and the rings off the base tonight. I found that the base of the rear rings (where it sits into the windage screws) has warped what look like 2 small tabs almost off the base of the rings. I can't get the rear rings to sit flush on the base now as the small little tabs now protrude below the base of the rings. I'm not sure if it was something I did when I originally mounted the scope? They seemed pretty straight foward to set up.


edit... I tried to re-set the rear ring onto the base - but I couldn't get it to sit flush anymore. I went back and re-read the Leupold instructions again, and perhaps I need to clarify 1 point. With the lock in dove tail front, how tight does the rear base have to be? This is unclear in the instructions. They say leave it loose and use it to sight in at the range - then tighten. They say over tightening can cause damage (which I think per above), but if you don't tighten fairly well then the recoil will/and did loosen the screws???
 
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If I understand correctly what has happened... I am impressed with the strength of the windage screw heads... usually the heads snap off when they are twisted hard enough to bend the little "tabs" made by the half scallop either side of the rear ring base.

If you are tightening them that hard and they still loosen perhaps you did not remove all the preservative grease they are packed in... I use lighter fluid but isopropyl alcohol also works to remove all oil and grease fwiw

It is also possible, I guess, that rear ring is tight to the scope tube but the windage screws are set up a little light and/or the front ring is slipping and the rear ring is beating itself against the base "scallops" causing them to distort....course once that happens the windage screws will get looser


Without looking at the rear rings ... you may get away with filing the "tabs" flush with the ring bottom and trying them again.....the rear rings really don't absorb significant recoil on this sort of design (eg Redfield/Leupold) .. the front does most of the work..assuming the rear can be set up so that it prevents lateral movement (and vertical movement) you should be ok.

I would be inclined to see if they can be traded on a set of Leupold steel "Weaver" style bases and the Burris Signature "Zee" rings. Just make sure that the cross groove on the bases will accept the mating Burris cross "screw" some combos are a little tight.. of course Burris bases will work fine but the Leupold steel weaver bases are nice looking.....
 
AP, thanks for the input..

Your first assumption is pretty bang on... I didn't clean the windage screws with a solvent prior to install. The instructions were a little unclear as to what should be cleaned. They indicated thread holes only, not screws (except for applying gun oil to the base/reciever screws). I didn't take the windage screws out of the base at all. Never crossed my mind they would need to be cleaned.

Perhaps this is my fault then :bangHead:.... but I can't say I'm a fan of the std base system.

As for next steps... not sure if I can buy 1 new rear ring. I think I can file off the tabs, but will that affect performance? Or, should I try a different style eg. the weaver set up, or dual dovetails, or QR/QRW. Perhaps the best way would be to buy a new set of rings and try over (keeping the front as a backup)....
 
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