I am having some work done to a rifle. My gunsmith wants to take the leupold mounts and rings off and install warren mounts. He claims they are much better. The rifle is a remington 700 bull barell in 6mm. Obviously the recoil is not that great. I have mounts similar to these on all my rifles so I don't know what to do. Any advice??

Which Leupold mounts do you have on your rifle now?
I could agree that Warne mounts and rings may be better than Leupolds Rifleman series of mounts and rings but I am thinking it is purely personal preference and an attempt at an "up sell" if they are the standard Leupold rings and bases.
What is he saying is wrong with the Leupolds?
I have leupolds on dozens of rifles with no troubles in the least, from .375's and 338 win mags to 22/250's and everything in between = no trouble for me.
What is the rifle used for?
I think if the rings are not part of a problem you are having with that rifle I would definitely keep them on there.

I don'tnow the name of them but they are the ones with windage bolts on the side. My wife has kind of took it over, it is used for white-tail hunting here in Texas and I use it quite often for calling coyotes. I am having it glassbedded and the trigger adjusted. I think it is just a ploy but if it will make it better I don't mind the cost that much. I have these same kind of mounts on a 300 weatherby in the remington classic rifle with no problems.

Even though the Leupold / Redfield windage type bases have been in use for years I think they are a poor design. They put all the stress and stability issues on the front rotating dovetail. Not the best set up in my opinion. But they do work.

I would tend to side with your gunsmith since they are a better mounting system, but that is strictly my opinion,

M1Tanker I understand the "theory" behind your thinking completely and I must say I agree with it in principle but in reality these mounts serve hundreds of thousands of folks very well, me included. I'm not trying to inflame this issue or start a pissing match but I think his gunsmith isn't being straight with him unless their is some problem already with the mount. Remember we are talking 6mm here not .375 H&H or .338 Win Mag like what my Leupolds are on, ( and doing fine I might add after hundreds of rounds ).

Unless there is damage to the current mount it is hard to see any reason for changing. I have been using that type of bridge mount since 1952 in the form of the Redfield JR. and Buehler mounts with absolutely no complaints. In all my years of use I have only had ONE mount fail and that was on a Brno 602ZKK 375H&H with a Leupold VXIII 1.5x5. The mount was a Warne and the lug that fits in the left side of rear bridge tried to shear under recoil. Could not seem to keep them tight enough with the levers.

M1Tanker
I just reread my post and it sounds like I'm not respecting your opinion, I apologize for sounding like that.
I agree the Warne is a better system but I also think his gunsmith is changing something that works as an attempt to up sell him.
Sorry for sounding like a jerk.

I didnt take it rude at all. But it is sure nice to see someone trying to be friendly instead of pissy as has been the case on differeing opinions here lately.

I used to have some of the Leupold windage mounts but have since swapped them all out. I just dont care for the set up. But they have been used for years just fine and will continue to provide great service. I think it is strictly a matter of tastes. I know a few gunsmiths who hate certain mounts and love others. It sounds like he could be one of those.

OkieNewton - I have numerous sets of Warne QD rings and for the reason I bought them (quick on/quick off and good return to zero) they are great. I also have a number of the Leupold/Redfield/Burris rings and bases and they work very well. Why pay more money? If it is a varmint rig, your not going to be switching scopes often. It seems like he just wants to sell you something you don't need.

Does warne make a mount that is not QD ? Once I get it zeroed in it will not come off. I do not own a big bore rifle but my 300 wby has never lost zero with these same typ of mounts.

If it isn't broke why fix it? Especially considering the rifle and it's use. I'd tell him thanks but no thanks.

Okie,

You don't need new mounts. If the scope isn't going to be taken off for transport or swapping of scopes ... the ones you have are fine.

There are alternatives to Warnes. I'll have examples of the Weaver QR and Weaver QRW mounts on the rifles for you to see this weekend. The QRs have proven to withstand .375 H&H and the QRWs the .416 Rigby and .458 AR.

quote:

Does warne make a mount that is not QD ? Once I get it zeroed in it will not come off. I do not own a big bore rifle but my 300 wby has never lost zero with these same typ of mounts

Warne makes both quick release and "permanent" type rings. But I will have to throw in with the others, unless there is something wrong with the present rings and mounts, why change?

Geronimo

Well I went to the shop to tell the smith I wanted to keep my rings. It was too late, he was at the range shooting the rifle after the bedding job and trigger work. He was coming in the door right after I got there. He put five shots in the size of a nickel at 100 yards with my rifle. This was with factory ammo. I guess I can live with it but have to get used to the way they look with the screws on top. I was pleased with the way the rifle shot. It never would do that for me. Think I'll just keep it.

That guy is an asshole if you ask me. The nice group has nothing to do with the ring change. He was simply looking to make a buck.

I am not calling anyone names at all. If it is someone's fault it is mine. I told him to do it because of my ignorance of the rings. After some advice from here and thinking on it I decided the rings and mounts were not the problem. I just waited to long to change my mind. I know for a fact the rings did not help the accuracy, the trigger and getting the barrel from rubbing the stock is what fixed it. I can live with these rings but will I take my other center fire rifles and have them switched over. NO

MY mistake, I was under the impression he suggested it and you had yet to agree. Still pretty cheesy to sell you something you didn't need.