Question: Scopes, Dual Dovetail Bases & Rings

Demonical

Demonical

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I need to scope the M-700 .35Whelen that I just bought. I am looking at Leupolds VX II 2.5x28mm or a Vari-X III 1.5-5X 20mm.

I am also toying with the notion of throwing a scope on the CZ-550 .458 Lott.

The 2.5x would go on the Lott (I think) and the 1.5-5x on the .35Whelen.

So those are the scopes I am considering. Oh yeah, I already have a Vari-X III 1.75-6x on my .45-70 M-1895XLR. So I have the option of putting that scope on the Whelen and the 1.5-5x on the Marlin. That is very likely what I will do.

I am already sold on the Leupy Vari-X III's, but opinions on the 2.5x would be appreciated. Will it stand up to the recoil of the Lott? Would I be better off with a 1.5-5x Vari-X III? :confused:

Now for bases; this is where I was mainly looking for advice, from guys that have used the Leupold Dual Dovetail bases & rings. I have not tried those and was sorta looking for opinions, experience with those. I'd be putting those onto the Whelen.
 
For a heavy rifle, the DT bases may be a little better than the standard Leupold bases with the rough windage adjustment on the rear. I've had those windage screws come loose and throw off zero once or twice.

Personally, my favorite scope of all for almost any hunting rifle is the 2.5-8 X 36 VXIII.
 
I can't comment on the rings or bases as mine are still in the pkg, but the 2.5 is a great scope, I had one that I used to swap from rifle to rifle, and it put up with the 7mm Wby, the 375H&H, lent it to a buddy for his 338winmag, and then it left on a rifle I sold, never a problem with it.
 
Silverado I have a Vari-X III in 2.5-8x on my M-700 8x57. I agree, it's a great scope. :agree:

For the .458 Lott I am thinking simplicity. I am guessing the fixed 2.5x Leupy would be rugged and dependable and the Lott is basically a close range weapon. The scope would allow better sighting in low light, shadow and would allow longer shots then the irons.


Opinions... :)
 
I had duel dovetail mounts on a M-700 .222 and liked them very much.

As long as the base mounting holes on the receiver are drilled inline with the barrel there is not issue with the duel dovetail system. If not, it's nice to have some windage adjustment in the mount so that you don't have to use all your scope's adjustment just to zero the rifle. On heavy kickers, or rifles subjected to hard use, I wonder if the scope might stand up better if the windage is as close as possible to the mechanical center of the adjustment.
 
Demonical said:
Silverado I have a Vari-X III in 2.5-8x on my M-700 8x57. I agree, it's a great scope. :agree:

For the .458 Lott I am thinking simplicity. I am guessing the fixed 2.5x Leupy would be rugged and dependable and the Lott is basically a close range weapon. The scope would allow better sighting in low light, shadow and would allow longer shots then the irons.
Opinions... :)
Click to expand...

Fixed power scopes are shorter, lighter and tougher; what's not to like? The only issue you might face is the ring spacing of a long action rifle and a short scope body, but extension rings will resolve that if it proves to be a problem.
 
Boomer said:
I had duel dovetail mounts on a M-700 .222 and liked them very much.

As long as the base mounting holes on the receiver are drilled inline with the barrel there is not issue with the duel dovetail system. If not, it's nice to have some windage adjustment in the mount so that you don't have to use all your scope's adjustment just to zero the rifle. On heavy kickers, or rifles subjected to hard use, I wonder if the scope might stand up better if the windage is as close as possible to the mechanical center of the adjustment.
Click to expand...

Boomer I like your thinking; I had the idea that the dual dovetail mount would be absolutely the most solid type you could get. Mind you that is for the Whelen, which should be a pussycat. The Whelen is a 1988 model, back when Remington still did a decent job of machining screw holes, so I figure it should work.

As far as the Brno goes, I think I have to stick with the integral CZ style rings don't I? What rings do you have on the ZKK? Do you have other Brnos? Warne rings are pretty good. That's what I put on my 602 .416RM.

Boomer said:
Fixed power scopes are shorter, lighter and tougher; what's not to like? The only issue you might face is the ring spacing of a long action rifle and a short scope body, but extension rings will resolve that if it proves to be a problem.
Click to expand...

How the heck would a guy get extension rings on that Brno integral base?
 
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I talked to Russell Sports and the 2.5x28mm Leupy is a Scout scope, so it's out. I want to mount the thing conventionally and the guy says the eye relief is totally wrong.

I ordered the 1.5-5x Vari-X III, a set of dual dovetail rings and bases. Gonna swap the 1.75-6x from the .45-70 onto the Whelen, and put the 1.5-5x on the .458 Lott, when I find rings for it. Having a helluva time finding Warne rings for the CZ-550. Everybody is either sold out, or will not ship to Canada... :mad:

I think my best bet may be to back order from Brownell's. Anybody know where I can get Warne rings in Canada?
 
Demonical,
The 2.5X Leupold(The Ultra-light previously known as the Compact) will fit on your .458 with no problem.With Warne rings there is zero room for fore and aft adjustment, it just fits, and that's it. I had one with heavy duplex on my CZ550 .416 Rigby for 1000 shots without any problems. Nothing broke, on the gun anyway.;) The combination of a very short eye-piece and very long eye-relief makes this scope about the least likely to hit you. The center pivot erector assembly is about as bullet proof as it gets. I changed to a 1.75-6 VX111 because I simply like a bit more magnification. The 2.5 is a little dim in low light too, which may or may not effect you. Mines for sale.;)
 
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Demonical,
I can still use it. I'm actually going to be driving through Whitecourt, probably tommorrow on my way home from Fairview. Apparently I'll be coming through again next week, but that could change.
I'd be willing to bet that Ultramag has a set or two of rings for your CZ/Brno since I sold them to him, and he hasn't built those particular rifles yet.
Leupold actually makes 2 2.5X scopes, the scout scope and the 2.5 Ultralight (Compact) The second is a natural for your Lott, mounted conventionally.
 
Dogleg said:
Demonical,
I can still use it. I'm actually going to be driving through Whitecourt, probably tommorrow on my way home from Fairview. Apparently I'll be coming through again next week, but that could change.
I'd be willing to bet that Ultramag has a set or two of rings for your CZ/Brno since I sold them to him, and he hasn't built those particular rifles yet.
Leupold actually makes 2 2.5X scopes, the scout scope and the 2.5 Ultralight (Compact) The second is a natural for your Lott, mounted conventionally.
Click to expand...


I am driving to Edmonton tomorrow, we might not be able to hook up. I will get the spring in a box and get it in the mail tomorrow, promise!
I'm gonna try to slide by WGP when I'm in the city


Well I think that I got screwed up checking the scopes, but the 1.5-5x Vari-X III will be okay.
 
As far as scope choices the 1.5-5 VXIII is the way to go it is optically better than the 2.5 Leupy, the 2.5 is bulletproof but is too short for most guns, I have one on a 600 Rem. and it fits fine but I wouldn't put it on a longer action unless you don't mind crawling the stock or using extended rings. The Burris 2.5 is in my opinion a great scope but is longer and heavier than the little Leupold, it has a great solid feel about it, I have one but haven't mounted it yet. The dual dovetail scope ring setup is also bulletproof but I find that if you don't lap the rings they will almost always put a mark into the scope tube.
bigbull
 
I have the duel DT's on my 8x57 if you want to have a look. I will also show you my broken Warne ring off my 416 Rigby.

I also have a 1.5x5x20 VXIII sitting in my safe not attached to anything if you want to have a look at it to see how it "lines up" on your rifles... and no you cannot have it, they are fantasitc scopes.
 
I have the 2.5X as a backup for the 1.5-5's I own.

I also have a 2.5X Leup in Warne mounts on a 602 in 375Wby....Like the man said dim as a 40watt light bulb in a snowstorm! No reliability problems in 15 years or so....Hate the gun so don't shoot it much.

I have replaced 1.5-5X's three times over the last 20 years...Nothing wrong with them they just lived violent lives, eventually developed funny adjustment problems, and succumbed to the workload....Leupold honored the warranty of course.

I like the dual dovetail setup enough to run it on most of my hunting rigs. The rings are well priced and offer a good trade off between strength and light weight.
There is a bit of a weak point in the design in that a good stiff side impact can cause a shifted point of aim. I've only see it once, but I thought I'd mention it.

If I was a one gun hunter (didn't have a back up rifle) I would probably vote for something like the Leupold QRW.....I use these heavy beasts on my grizz rifles.
 
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