Hi bydabeav
There is no problem with bolt lift with this rifle, even if the scope is mounted in the traditional manner.
Bill Calfee, who I referenced earlier, is one of the top rimfire gunsmiths in the world. He builds benchrest rifles for the top US shooters. He is credited with several innovations that have added continued precision, like the barrel tuner, in a sport where they measure in 100ths and1,000ths. Nothing is overlooked or taken for granted.
Here is a good article on him -
http://www.targetsportsmagazine.com/features/view/10243/22-benchrest-un-bill-ieveable-success/
His voices his opinions (controversial!) daily on this forum -
http://www.wwaccuracy.com/content.php
His book - The Art of Rimfire Accuracy is available on Amazon.
You just need to check us national br rimfire competition equipment lists to see his success (and international). The man I bought the rifle from believed, in competition, this scope setup provided advantage and consistency.
Different - yes, but definitely not sad or silly.
Mr. Calffe explains his mounting philosophy (not appropriate for centre fires):
"
The future of scope mounting for accuracy guns
WWA friends:
Advancing rimfire accuracy can be a slow process............it is very difficult to let go of the old ways of doing things.....me too...
Scope mounting for accuracy, is one of those things that will be difficult to change.
BUT IT WILL SOMEDAY BE CHANGED.
My WWA friends, I know what my scope mounting has done for me.....but, it is such a departure from the norm, whatever the norm is, that I do not press the folks who use my guns to use my scope mounting system.
They can use it if they wish.
Here's a picture of "Tack Driver"..........and my scope mounting.
If you notice, the amount of overhang, both ends, of the scope, is absolutely the same.
With the traditional mounts that Tony used, with his Leupold Comp scope, there was more than a half inch more overhang at the front of the scope, than there is with my system.
My system balances the comp scope, 50/50
And, we never again have to worry about the expansion of the aluminum scope tube, during heat changes, affecting the tension on our actions, while we are shooting a card......never.
My WWA friends, and, my wonderful Calfee Shooters, I will never press anyone to use my system.
Now here is a picture of Tack Driver's new scope mounting.
Your friend, Bill Calfee "
I'll let you know how it performs next year.
best