My neighbor brought over his new Browning A-Bolt in 338 Win Mag for me to sight in. He had the gunshop mount a Simons 3-10X50 Atec scope on it with Millet rings and bases, I wasn't sure which would quit first the mounts or the scope. After 6 shots the mounts won, the rear ring jumped loose from the windage adjustment screws. I had checked the tightness before we started shooting. I had a similar occurance on my Savage 116 in 338 Win Mag, the screwheads sheared after 70 shots. I ordered the set up I fixed my gun with, Burris double dovetail mounts with Signature rings. I have shot over 300 rounds with this setup and it is still with me. I'll let y'all know how long the scope lasts.

Hmmm.... Bring enough ammo. That scope is quietly creating quite a reputation..... JMO, Dutch.

oops, double tap.

[ 08-06-2002, 19:12: Message edited by: Dutch ]

FWIW I too went through a couple of sets of rings, some mounts before I used dual dovetails, and then through SEVEN scopes, including the Burris Posilock (twice), along with a few of Leupold Vari X III's. Mine was also on a light, custom 338 Win Mag. Everyone figured it was harmonics. The barrel and action was cryo'd and strangely the problem quit.

Gentlemen

I have used everything form the worst crap to the best. Sure thing is that good mounts are sometimes hard to come by. I prefer to use Talley,Warne, Reck-nagel or other maufacturings of simular qualty. In my early days with "elcheapo" mounts I destroyed two nice Zeiss scopes. Strange misses has also disapeared when I got better mounts.

I have seen many hunters that have a nice accurate rifle and a quality scope, BUT the mount is nothing I'd like to show to my friends

Cheers
JOHAN

Lewis: We need a clarification. Were you using Millett rings for the Redfield system or Millett Angle-Lock rings for the Weaver system?

I've never used Millett's for the Redfield system, but that system is very weak in the rear ring attachment anyway and is more difficult to properly mount than most people assume. I have had problems with Redfield's in their original system. As you said, the gunshop mounted the scope for your neighbor, and improper mounting could be the culprit rather than the manufacture of the mount.

I have used a number of the Millett Angle-Locks, on calibers as heavy as .338, and they seem to be strong and dependable.

Let us know which it is you're having problems with.

I have a astec scope on my 375 H&H and it has survived several hunderad rounds of full house loads, in weaver mounts. Say what you will about weaver mounts and rings, but they are hell for stout.

Haven't had any problems with their bases or rings so far, although I haven't used them on any heavy recoil rigs.

The two failures I've had were with the rear ring mount of the Leupold/Redfield style. One jumped the slot the screws seat in and the other had a screw head crack after 70 rounds.

Yeah, the old Redfield system is pretty marginal on the rear ring. The heaviest-recoiling rifle I have them on is a .30-06.

I've had Redfield-made rear screws break also, and have frequently seen rear rings mismounted by "gunsmiths" and "gun shops" (retailers who have some clerk that fancies himself capable that slaps scopes on the gun for $10 bucks and "bore sights" them for another $10). The rear Redfield ring has to be mounted first and independent of the scope and front ring in order to get the grooved screw heads properly positioned. You'd be surprised how many people attempt to mount it to the scope, then "turn" it into position as the front ring seats (it's also a very bad thing to use the scope as a lever to seat the front ring, but you'll see these "experts" do it time and again).

At any rate, the Redfield-style Millett rings may very well be below par -- I can't say having never tried any. But the biggest problem is likely with the design and improper mounting.

I have had to use Leupold scopes on my Ruger No. 1 .45/70 with loads producing over 50 ft/lb of recoil. No other brand would handle it. But, the two Leupolds I have used (a Vari-X III 2.5X-8X, and a 4X Compact) have both survived....

I have a set of Millet medium rings on my 116 FSS in .338 WM, They are offset ,angle lock style for Weaver bases. They have held the hell out of my 3200 Bushnell for about 275 rounds. If I was going to use dove tail rings I think I'd go with Leopold.