I recently purchased a Tikka model 65 deluxe. It came with Tikka mounts.They are pretty much a massive/very solid block of steel. They must weigh 6 or 8 ounces.Those of you who know and love these model 65 rifles know they are not lightweight to begin with.I am wondering about other lighter mounts which might be available.Not really wanting to drill/tap for talley etc. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Tikka Model 65 Rifle and mounts
- Thread starter Pete G
- Start date
Lynx from australia made a nice set of integral rings that were also marketed by Tikka, B-square and Hillver. I also use a similar set on my BRNO 21h, but with wider dovetail and integral recoil lug. The optional lug on the tikka version isn't installed when using on 55 and 65's.
gunrunner100
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- NW Ontario
I have a set of Lynx rings that are surplus, if needed.
AP, Not sure about the two screws you mention.......They may be covered by the ring mount now in place.What is now in place are rings with integral base which is screw clamped to the dovetail.The bottom part of the rings is approx. 1/2 inch thick solid steel which extends right up to the actual ring section."Tikka" is stamped on the sides of these rings.They are very solid, but also very heavy.
gunrunner100
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- NW Ontario
The rifles could be drilled and tapped for Weaver bases.
Years ago, I had an Ithaca LSA 65, which was a rebranded Tikka 65. I put Weaver bases and rings on it.
Years ago, I had an Ithaca LSA 65, which was a rebranded Tikka 65. I put Weaver bases and rings on it.
Do they look something like this? If not they might be the "Optiloc" versions. The pictured rings are nice rings but (depending on height) can be pretty heavy. Most M65's I have seen are factory D&T on top of the dovetails ... I would be surprised if you dont find the screw plugs when you remove the scope rings from the receiver. I am pretty sure you can find lighter arrangements to mount a scope (maybe not better or more convenient) the lightest bases will always be 2 piece aluminum weaver bases. They are not pretty but they work well. Then you will need to find some matching aluminum rings ... make sure if you buy aluminum rings that the ring cap screws are large as small threads will more easily tear the softer aluminum .. course the reverse frequently happens with steel rings etc ... so its a coin toss. Not sure anyone is manufacturing aluminum rings with helicoil inserts but that would be the ideal solution.
There used to be aluminum bases that slid onto SAKO's dovetails ... they do not work very well. I would be surprised if they were available for the Tikka as the Tikka has parallel dovetails ...nonetheless -- avoid that type. The version of slide on bases that work are the "Optilock" BUT they are as heavy (maybe more) than the ones I believe you already have
(edit to add .. if it were mine and it wasnt already factory D&T ... I would leave it alone and tough it out with the detachable Tikka rings ,,, regardless of weight .. or consider a very lightweight scope ,,, like a fixed power Leupold. I have NEVER been satisfied with the machining ability of the various gunsmiths that have attempted to mount sights on my rifles and now I no longer go that route)
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I purchased some Lynx rings for BRNO and they were very well made .. I think Tasco may have also marketed similar (identical) rings .. the ones I have seen are steel.
B-Square make all sorts of rings to fit many scope sizes and rifles - often with lots of adjustment to ensure proper mounting. Dont seem to see them very often - those that I have acquired are aluminum and I think very well made. Not that familiar with Hilver
These would all be excellent choices..
Wow, lots of knowledge from fellow gunnutz on this issue.Thank you all very much !!
AP........your photo shows what my mounts look like exactly.
I will explore some of the good options which you have all so kindly made me aware of..........dfrombc 's discovery re the Talley t3 lightweight mounts fitting his model 65 interests me very much........Guess I will start with looking into that possibility.
AP is correct again ....I believe that my 65 has two d/t holes at each anchor point on the dovetail........Am under the impression that Talley lightweights have more than 2 holes for each integral ring ???
AP........your photo shows what my mounts look like exactly.
I will explore some of the good options which you have all so kindly made me aware of..........dfrombc 's discovery re the Talley t3 lightweight mounts fitting his model 65 interests me very much........Guess I will start with looking into that possibility.
AP is correct again ....I believe that my 65 has two d/t holes at each anchor point on the dovetail........Am under the impression that Talley lightweights have more than 2 holes for each integral ring ???
If the rifle has iron sights and the Talley are the integrated base/ring type ... you may wish also to look at separate rings bases that would allow you to remove the scope more easily in the event of a failure in the field...I find I use iron sights quite a bit and like the flexibility of removing my scope. If you have no iron sights .. the Talley would be an option
(personally I've got to be honest - I have them but do not really like the Talley type of base/rings as the ones I have seen do not permit access to the base screws without removing the ring caps and the scope... and I periodically like to check the screws on my rifles to ensure they are tight. If you go with Talley .. suggest you use a little Loctite on the receiver mounting screws - they are light though!)
(personally I've got to be honest - I have them but do not really like the Talley type of base/rings as the ones I have seen do not permit access to the base screws without removing the ring caps and the scope... and I periodically like to check the screws on my rifles to ensure they are tight. If you go with Talley .. suggest you use a little Loctite on the receiver mounting screws - they are light though!)
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As mentioned, Talley Lightweights for the T3 work perfectly. The other nice thing is that the Talley's turned so that the rings are close to each other greatly reduces required mounting length. By greatly I mean +1/4" or so.
It works - I just shot my so equipped rifle yesterday.
It works - I just shot my so equipped rifle yesterday.
1899, thank you for this good news......helps me feel more confident about the mounts I just ordered.
Do your know if your T3 mounts are low or medium?
What rifle are they on........mine is a .270 model 65 deluxe.......I am hoping that bolt clearance will be ok with the low mounts ordered.....Scope is Leupold VX 3 2.5 - 8 X 36.
Do your know if your T3 mounts are low or medium?
What rifle are they on........mine is a .270 model 65 deluxe.......I am hoping that bolt clearance will be ok with the low mounts ordered.....Scope is Leupold VX 3 2.5 - 8 X 36.
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Just got back from gunsmith with my model 65 deluxe in .270.
Turns out that the Talley Lightweights (low) for the Tikka T3 which I had purchased lined up perfectly with the holes all ready in the dovetail.
That was the good news.
The bad was that my scope tube was about 1/8 inch too long to accommodate hole spacing......Leupold VX III 2.5- 8 x 36.
Smith drilled and tapped two more for the front base and we were good to go.
The old mounts weighed 10 ounces!!!
So.........we end up with approx. 1/2 pound lighter rifle/scope package now.........Mission accomplished I would say.
Thanks to all the experienced gunnutz here who provided information to help out.
Turns out that the Talley Lightweights (low) for the Tikka T3 which I had purchased lined up perfectly with the holes all ready in the dovetail.
That was the good news.
The bad was that my scope tube was about 1/8 inch too long to accommodate hole spacing......Leupold VX III 2.5- 8 x 36.
Smith drilled and tapped two more for the front base and we were good to go.
The old mounts weighed 10 ounces!!!
So.........we end up with approx. 1/2 pound lighter rifle/scope package now.........Mission accomplished I would say.
Thanks to all the experienced gunnutz here who provided information to help out.
