Having trouble using the Talley mount and Quick release system on the 450 Dakota. In the present two piece configuration, once the bases are placed on the rifle and the ring assembly is placed in the slots, at least 5 inches of linear lenth is required on the scope tube. My scope is the 1.5X5 Leupold VAR III which is IMO a recoil resistant scope with a large eye relief distance (approx 3.5-4.0 in), so hate to change. But the front ring is over the front lense when tightening.

It would be a big help if someone with long actions (450 Dak, 416 Rig, etc.) could share their experience with this. My only solution now seems to change scopes (have little knowledge of what will work) or modify the bases to reduce the ring mount length about 1/2 inch, but this is a hassle.

Don't say use iron sights, as at my age I need all the crutches I can get.

Paul,
Turn the front base around. That's how I got my Leupold 4.5x-14xAO to fit in the Talley QD setup.

George

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Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!

I have not had that problem????

I suspect one of the bases is on backwards or perhaps you have the wrong base. Call Talley.

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

No, he doesn't have the wrong base, and I doubt turning the things around will help either. He has just found out what I did many years ago about true magnum length actions and short little scopes! They don't work together worth a hoot.
I have a 450 Dakota and use Talley mounts. I also have 3x Leupolds on it and my 416 Rigby, another true magnum action.
This is exactly why I have rid myself of these little variables. Go find yourself a 3x Leupold and you'll be set.
Maybe one day Leupold will realize how many folks need a full sized scope and start producing this excellent scope once again. The 2.5x compact and this variable are not what a big action needs.

The ring alignment slot on the front base should face the back of the gun. This should give you the clearance you need for the front ring. If it does not, you need to consider another scope. For my 450 Dakota, I selected a 30mm 1.25-4X24 Swarovski. Great optics for big bores.

[This message has been edited by Zero Drift (edited 01-26-2002).]

I have a left hand 450 with the same scope as yours using the Dakota dovetail bases and talley rings with screw buttons. On mine the bottom of the front ring is about 1/4" ahead of the rear of the base, and the rear ring is about 3/8" ahead of the rear of the base. In this position the gold ring of the scope is just in front of the front ring, and there is about 1/4" clearance between the back of the rear ring and the rear scope bell. This works well for the eye relief.
One note- never clamp the front ring on or ahead of the gold ring on the scope.

Thanks guys for all the great ideas!
First I am going to work on the bases, see if I can't redrill/tap them to gain 1/2 inch as the linear ring length as measured last night on the scope tube, in the present setup, was 5.5 inches. Ken knows about clamping on the gold ring and so do I. If Talley doesn't want to give me some undrilled bases, then I am looking for 3x Leupolds and then even consider (choke) a
Swarovski if the budget allows. My friendly gun trader is looking for scope alternatives already. Thanks!!!!!!