Scope rail question ...

[Tikka223]

I'm doing some research prior to putting together my first precision rifle and am at the optics / mounting the optics decision. Can someone please explain to me the difference between weaver and picantilly rails?

As well, I often see that folks have 20 or 30 MOA rails. How does MOA play into mounting optics and which would be recommended?

I'm putting together a .233 which I would like to eventually use out to 1000m but will starting out with the 100-600m range.

Please advise.

 

[Shooter ----/]

Weaver and mil-spec are cut to slightly different measurements. What ever your base is cut to, just ensure that your rings are machined to fit the same.
As for your MOA question, I would ask Mystic how much MOA he uses on his 223's. He is the first one that comes to mind when talking about 223 and long range.

 

[Obtunded]

Weaver rings can be used on a picatinny rail but Pic rings CANNOT be used on a Weaver rail. Stick with Picatinny.

Do your homework on the types of bullets you will be using and at what distances. Tapered bases are not often necessary for distances up to 800 yards with most cartridges and even 1000 yards often does not require a tapered base with many cartridges.

308's drop like a stone, so you may wish to consider a low amount of taper such as 10 MOA. Bear in mind that with some firearm/scope combinations, using a 20 MOA base will not allow you to shoot low enough to zero at 100 yards. for a 223 with heavy bullets, it will depend on what scope you have and how much internal adjustment you'll need. Count on 30+ moa to reach 1000 from 100

There are ways around it.... Burris Zee rings have inserts that usethe rings as the source of taper, rather than the scope ring, and it is possible to shim the front scope ring at the base. The steel banding used to wrap lumber bundles and heavy boxes is excellent shim material.

 

[Tikka223]

Ah, thanks for the explanation. From my reading I was starting to assume that a 20MOA rail simply meant increasing the baseline of the scope by 20MOA but I wasn't too sure.

My plan is to get a Sightron SIII 6-24x50;

Name SIIISS624X50LRMOA
Magnification 6-24X
Object Diameter 50
Eye Relief 3.6-3.8
Reticle Type MOA-2
Click Value 1/4 MOA
Fov 16.1-3.9
Length 14.96
Tube Diameter 30 mm
Windage Elevation Travel 100
Weight 21.90
Finish Matte Black
Minutes Per Revolution 15
Lens Cover Included Yes
Fully Multi Coated Yes (Zact-7 TM 7-Layer)

I'm trying to decipher the specs. 100 for windage and elevation I'm guessing it's 100 clicks which = 25 MOA if the clicks are 1/4 MOA??? Is that enough? I know the Elite 6500s have 36 MOA and some people have complained it is a big limitation.

Lots of people are writing about the Burris rings ... any particular reason? Any other ones that I should consider or are rings just rings and thus get the most reasonably priced ones?

 

[alberta tactical rifle]

Ah, thanks for the explanation. From my reading I was starting to assume that a 20MOA rail simply meant increasing the baseline of the scope by 20MOA but I wasn't too sure.

My plan is to get a Sightron SIII 6-24x50;

Name SIIISS624X50LRMOA
Magnification 6-24X
Object Diameter 50
Eye Relief 3.6-3.8
Reticle Type MOA-2
Click Value 1/4 MOA
Fov 16.1-3.9
Length 14.96
Tube Diameter 30 mm
Windage Elevation Travel 100
Weight 21.90
Finish Matte Black
Minutes Per Revolution 15
Lens Cover Included Yes
Fully Multi Coated Yes (Zact-7 TM 7-Layer)

I'm trying to decipher the specs. 100 for windage and elevation I'm guessing it's 100 clicks which = 25 MOA if the clicks are 1/4 MOA??? Is that enough? I know the Elite 6500s have 36 MOA and some people have complained it is a big limitation.

Lots of people are writing about the Burris rings ... any particular reason? Any other ones that I should consider or are rings just rings and thus get the most reasonably priced ones?

There is 100 MOA total elevation in that scope which is 400 1/4 moa "clicks"
SIGNIFICANTLY more than the bushnel scope offers

Understand that 100 total is basically divided in 1/2, so on a flat rail you would have 50 MOA up and 50 MOA down. Putting this on top of a plus 20MOA rail would give you 70 up and 30 down.