Picatinny Rails - consistency between mfg.'s?

looch

looch

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This may be a dumb question, but I need to make some decisions regarding scope mounts...

I have a short action Stiller Predator that came with a picatinny rail. If I buy another rail from a different company - Warne, for example - for my Remington short action, would I be able to share optics? I realize I will have to re-zero. That's ok. But If I have to move the rings around, then I would just as soon buy a 2-piece for the Rem.

I guess what I'm asking is the tolerance on the picatinny specs, and how good are different manufacturers at adhering to them.
 
looch said:
This may be a dumb question, but I need to make some decisions regarding scope mounts...

I have a short action Stiller Predator that came with a picatinny rail. If I buy another rail from a different company - Warne, for example - for my Remington short action, would I be able to share optics? I realize I will have to re-zero. That's ok. But If I have to move the rings around, then I would just as soon buy a 2-piece for the Rem.

I guess what I'm asking is the tolerance on the picatinny specs, and how good are different manufacturers at adhering to them.
Click to expand...

It really depends on the manufacturer. One thing to keep in mind is that most rings are made to fit both weaver or picatinny dimensions. Weaver groves are smaller than picatinny. I've seen Picatinny rails that are supposed to be built to 1913 specs but when I measure them they are not. And I've seen rails that are built to true spec. The manufacturer also has to make sure they QC their rails after manufacture to make sure they meet spec. There's a lot of little things that can go wrong in the manufacturing process.

If you buy from reputable manufacturers though you shouldn't have a problem, and yes you should be able to share optics between rails.
 
Most reputable manufacturers will stick pretty close to the 1913 milspec standards. However, your problems may come from whether or not the mounting holes on your receiver are true. If they are slightly off, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Remington is, then you would have to re-zero every time. But, once you do it once, you should be able to record the amount of clicks to switch from one rifle to the other and be pretty close each time. Regardless, you will probably have to tweak it slightly each time you change rifles.

As Clobbersauras mentioned, if you go with a true 1913 spec rail and true 1913 spec rings, then it will likely be a much easier transition.
 
looch, you might want to research this a bit more, because i think that the predator action from stiller has a different screw spacing than a rem! i believe you have to you use two front base's and if you use a rail it probably has a different screw base spacing!
 
Our picatinney rails should be true to the mil-std-1913 spec. I used it when I made the extrusion die and when I cut the cross rails. The predator is different from a rem. The rear bridge is full round and the rem holes will not line up. 2 fronts will work though. Weaver and picatinney rings will fit a picatinney rail. Only weaver rings will fit the weaver rail, the pics wont.
 
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Thanks for your replies.

ajax and stiller: Just to clarify, I know the bases are not interchangeable. The Predator came with a picatinny rail and I will definitely be using it. What I am trying to decide is what base to put on the Remington. I was considering putting a rail on it also, but I have my doubts about the rings positively engaging both slots from rail to rail. I will be using Warne Maxima QD rings.

BTW stiller, the barelled action is on its way back from the gunsmith. Next stop is Robertsons for bedding into one of his hunting stocks.
 
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You can go with a Canadian made piccatinny rail made by Near mfg. I have them on a few of my rifles along with Near rings. I have no issues when changing scopes from one to the other. Half MOA or less on change overs.The rails have no sharp corners. A very pleasant man to deal with and fast shipping.
Regards
 
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