sako optimount question

[kreutz]

i'm just wondering about some information on the sako optimount rings. i have 2 sako's an older av in 270 and a greywolf 85 in 300 win mag. i decided to go both with the optimount 1 piece scope rings cause they are decently low lighter and well just look better. i've tried researching my concern but most results come up with the 2 piece base and ring design.
on the av 270 i mount a 30mm tube steiner scope, i was able to line the front mount fairly close to the middle and the rear is in the right spot for the rear ring and recoil pin to fit in the slot properly and give me good eye relief. but the greywolf i mounted a 30mm tube sightron stac. now the front is again fairly close to the middle but the rear i had to remove the recoil pin and slide it as far forward as it will go just over half way on the rear dovetail so that i could get my eye relief. still leaves about 3/16 of an inch ahead of the ring mount of open dovetail. i don't think it can physically go any further forward the way the dovetail is cut. on both rifles i was able to bore sight them with brand new out of the box scopes with minimal adjustments maybe 8 clicks the most in any direction.
so it doesn't seem like my centering of the rings is affected.
i know leupold makes rings for the sako and they don't use a recoil pin. so my question is does anyone know if the recoil pin is absolutely necessary or just nice to have. or should i take the optimounts back on the greywolf and try the optilocks?
sorry for the long read and thanks for the insite

 

[AP]

I am going to 'guess' no...the pin is not essential. I have numerous Sako and Sako rings (mostly the older one piece style because I find the newer two piece are pretty heavy)...but when I mount them on the dovetails I never let the rear 'recoil' pin actually touch/come in contact with the forward edge of the notch on the action dovetail. I use the pin to visually ensure the rings are centred on the dovetails. Many years ago I mounted a scope so that the pin rested against the notch and when I fired the rifle the scope was driven back and came away from the dovetail hitting me in the eye. The pin will prevent the rings from tightening on the dovetails under recoil if it is hard against the notch...hope that makes sense. I dont like Leupold rings particularly but I see no reason why they would not work. Without the pin as a 'reference' point however...you may wish to use a marker on the action dovetails to ensure the rings return to the same position if you remove them..otherwise I imagine they will not return to zero again if removed.