Anyone with experience with these? I'm readying a Sako 75 in .375 H&H and the Leopold produced "Sako" mounts I've started with, failed and I need an alternative I can trust.

I don't, but I'm interested in the answer.

I'm not sure what "failed" means, but right before taking off to Zimbabwe I noticed the front ring was cocked on my Sako 75, 375H&H. I assumed they just hadn't mounted it firmly. Now you have me wondering.

I have been disappointed with the Optilocks and am in the process of switching my Sakos to Talley mounts. Talley makes a two piece base which slides on the dovetail and is locked in place with two set screws. Conventional Talley rings can then be used. It is the best system I've seen yet particularly for a 375. Anyone want to buy some Optilocks?

I should be more specific. The Leupold "Sako" mounts have worked forward on the receiver rails AND the scope has slowly moved to the point that the forward edge of the power adjustment bell now bears against the rear ring's rear edge. Real Sako mounts have a pin under the rear mount that prevents the whole shebang from shifting forward under recoil. I would not have believed it, but the rear Leupold mount is nearly completely forward and off of the rear receiver bridge, yet it's locking screw is so tight I cannot remove it with normal force.
I should have noticed all of this earlier of course.

LJS: What is the basis for your disappointment with the Optilock? I ask because I've used them on a .300WM without problems, but maybe the .375 may make the difference?

GaryL. Throw them leupold mounts away and get some genuine Sako QD mounts, they DO NOT MOVE. I have a 75 in 375h&h with a VXIII on it and after setting the zero i have fired approx 150 rounds through it and removed the scope for cleaning purposes and the zero remains the same.

To address the optilock issues the are too good at what the are supposed to do,which is centralise the scope without the need of lapping in the mounts and putting a buffer between the scopemounts and scope so that the scope is not subjected to ecessive recoil especially on magnums.

I can assure you that you will not have any problems them at all, it is exactly what they designed for, but they still have to be on that rail tight and make sure that after you tighten everything down evenly, I mean dont just tighten one side fully and then the other side, screw them all down till you feel the slightest bit of resistance, then do the same on the oppisite/diagonal screw.After your initial sighting in recheck that everything is tight again.

I hope this helps, BTW I have nothing against Leupold mounts they are good, but Sakos are a bit particular.

Regards Runas

GaryL: Aside from the crummy screws Sako uses I have had back off with my ring screws regardless of how tight I torque them. I tried them with a 375 and a 338 and in both cases I had to go to lighter scopes because of scope movement. The heavy European scope have caused me problems. It seems the plastic inserts permit large heavy scopes to move. I use Brownell metric bits so I can get them tight but still no good. I have had no problems with smaller calibers however.

Without a doubt the Sako integral base and ring system is the most inferior arrangement on the market. The old original rings were O.K., but something happened along the way: bean counters.

Optilocks/OptiCocks are an abominable affair, and certainly not for heavy recoil. Silly.

I got rid of two Sako's due to exasperation with the scope mounting system.

Ruger and CZ integral systems are far better.

8x40'ed and epoxied Leupold QRW or Talley bases are the best of all.

Too bad the Sako receiver doesn't have enough steel left on the bridges to allow comfort in drilling and tapping it for a Leupold QRW.

Gary, check out Talbot mounts ( Al Talbot) from Michigan..He is not far from you...I have used them on three safari and three rifles and can tell you they are super and rock solid...and are also Quick release mounts....

Mike

Thanks for the input guys. I called Talley at 7am today and ordered a set for delivery before the weekend. I need another project!

Retreever, I didn't see your suggestion until just now and haven't heard of the Talbot product. I'll look into it though and then we'll see how the Talley's do....... Thanks.
Gary

No problem at all with opti lock mounts, have them on my 375H&H and 338 amd fired 100s of rounds, no problems at all.