Gents, I think I've settled on mounting the new Vx III 2.5X8 on my .375HH M70 Classic Stainless with Leupold QR mounts. I've considered Talley and Warne but thin the Leupold mounts/rings is the way I want to go for now. I'm a little confused having looked at the Leupold catalog for mounting/ring part numbers. Exactly what I need? I know it's low rings. Someone said there is not much room to mount this setup. Is this true? If I go Talley instead is there any real benefit in the .375HH? Help keep me from screwing up my order! Thanks, Scott

jetblueman
I do not have the part numbers so I cannot help you there but I have used the Leupold QD mounts with the post on the bottom of the ring and the throw lever on the base. I have used these mounts on several magnum rifles including a 375 H&H and a 458. I had NO problems and they went back to zero every time. In one test with a 300 WBY Mag and a 340 WBY Mag, at 300 yards with 2 scopes for each rifle, I would shoot 3 rounds, remove the scope, let the bbl cool put on the other scope, shoot 3 rounds and repeat. No problems with zero shift.
I telephoned Leupold and asked them if these mounts were strong enough for a 375 and a 458. They told me that these mounts are stronger than their regular mounts.
Hope this info helps.

If I'm understanding your problem correctly, you're having a hard time figuring out which Leupold mounts and rings will work with your rifle. Go to the Leupold website and click on their "Mount Selector" link. This will take you to a page that allows you to choose your rifle, M70 Long Action in your case, and the Leupold scope you are mounting. It will then spit out all the combinations with model numbers of the rings and mounts you can use.

Scott, if I understand your post right, there are really 2 things you wonder about:
1) will the Talley or the Leupold QD be a better mount for the scope/rifle combination you have in mind??
2) will you run into problems mounting your Leupold VXIII 2.5-8 in the Leupold or Talley mounts??

I think the answer to 1) is: yes the Talley is probably the better mount, but that does not mean the Leupold QD mount won't cut it. I have a Leupold QD mount on a .300 Win Mag, so I can't really speak for how it would do on a .375 H&H, but maybe that question was already answered above??

The answer to 2) depends very much on how you position your head on your buttstock when mounting the rifle. I personally tend to keep my head pretty straight, so I'm fairly far back on the buttstock. That means I always struggle to get my scopes mounted far enough back. I used the front extension ring for my Leupold VariX III 2.5-8 when I mounted it on my M70 Classic .300 Win mag with the Leupold QD mounts. It is not the prettiest solution, and some people disagree violently with the use of extension rings. However this was my only option with that rifle/mount/scope combination. As far as I know, Talley does not offer an equivalent option (i.e. no extension rings or bases).

Ok, how will you know what you need?? Difficult one. First you have to establish how you mount your rifle, and where your eye is when you mount it. Then add the eyerelief of the scope to that. This is where you want your ocular lens to be. If you hold the scope above the receiver in that position, is there room to mount the scope or will you run into problems with rings vs ocular bell, adjustment turrets or objective bell?? I'm sorry I can't be more specific.

If you have not done this before, and you want to make 100% sure you get the right stuff, maybe get somebody who has more experience to help?? Gunsmith, maybe?
- mike