I've built a 375 RUM on a P17. I went with dual dovetails for strength given the recoil. However, the ring to ring length is too great to mount a standard, belled, Leupold. I have a 1.5-5 20mm mounted now but the forward scope ring covers the gold ring on the scope tube and must be putting pressure on the objective glass.

Are there scopes out there with a longer body that can withstand the RUM's recoil? I would need at least 5.8" from the adjuster ring to front bell. Other ideas?

Thanks guys.

Usual practice when setting up M1917's for scopes is to drop the rear bridge about .120, contour and drill the receiver to accept standard Remington 700 LA mounts using the same hole spacing as the 700's. If your action differs from this, then you might consider making a custom set of dual dovetail bases that will allow the use of a standard Leupold scope.

I suspect you might be right--this action was already drilled and contoured and the smith just opened the holes to 8-40. Cheapest fix would be to mount weaver style bases (Warne steel) but they don't look right to my eye. I'll still keep nosing around for a long-bodied scope but may need to modify the bases as you suggest. Thanks.

It sounds to me that an extension ring would be in order. I don't know what type of mounts you have on it but, I know that you can get front extension rings for standard Leupold, Redfield, Burris type bases and just reverse mount the front ring to reach farther back on the scope.

snowcat,

Check the specs on the Nikon BuckMaster. They look like a very long bodied scope.

Thanks guys-
I was hoping to avoid extension rings as it seems that those I have seen are less stoutly designed than I would like given a rifle of this caliber (maybe there are better designs out there, however). Plus it seems they only come in Med or higher. Burns me when all my best laid plans and money go for naught. I really thought those dual dovetail Leopolds would be the cat's pajamas, live and learn. Extension bases might be a better compromise. I'll look into both extended rings and bases and see what's out there.

Bul-
You're right, the buckmaster is almost .5" longer than the Leopold overall and if that translated to tube length that would do it. I haven't been able to find info on this online and will likely have to go to a retailer with calipers to be sure. I have had good luck with Nikon optics generally and have hear good things about the Buckmaster for the price. Thanks for the reminder.

Jay,

I checked my inventory and found a NIB Nikon BuckMasters 6-18x40 SF I had picked up for a project. The instructions say this is the longest BuckMasters at 14.64".

The available mounting tube length from the eyepiece to the turret is approximately 2.720". The available mounting tube length from the turret to the beginning of the objective bell is approximately 2.515".

Hope you can make calclations from these measurements. I measured with Starrett caliper holding up against scope tube. No deminsions in the instructions.

After re-reading your post of needing 5.8" looks like we come up short at 5.235".

One more Nikon thought; the Monarch UCC 1.5-4.5x20 shotgun scope use to be available with the Nikoplex reticle. I've seen this scope mounted on a .416 Rigby. It is longer than the Leupold 1.5-5 and should move the objective glass out from the front ring.

Take a look at the 2.5X8 Zeiss Conquest. I measured mine and it has slightly over 6 inches of available tube length for mounting. It has good eye relief as well. I bought mine from Doug at Camera Land's sample list for $400.

Bul,
Thanks for taking the time to measure the Nikon. Very kind of you.

LJS-
It sounds like the Zeis is the ticket. There is a dealer in Missoula. I will try, and likely purchase the Conquest if it works out on my rifle. Thanks a million for the tip.

If that doesn't work out, you could always use a good external adjustment scope like a Unertl/Lyman/Fecker... They will easily handle that and more - standard is 7.25"

Brent

Here is an easy (but not cheap!!) solution:

Purchase a European scope with a rail mount.
I have a Swarovski with one myself, and I'm purchasing another.

The rail doesn't abut any turrets, so you can more it forwards or backwards quite a distance.

I'm building a single shot now, and decided to go with a rail mount for just this reason.

Swarovski now has a line of scopes called the "American" series, with a rail.

Just a thought.

Garrett

You're welcome Jay. Great suggestion on the Conquest - great scope.

Good shooting.