Today installed my first set of rings and bases. I used Leupold standard two pieces bases (the type with the windage screws on the rear base)and Leupold 1" low rings. I installed the bases and rings as prescribed by Leupold. When I placed allignment rods down to check my work I had no problem with side to side allignment, but I noticed the elevation between the two points of the allignment rods were off by about 1/16th of an inch. I am wondering is this normal? I was thinking the two allignment rod points should be exactly on the same plane. I did not place my scope in the mounts for fear of denting it. I attempted to lap the rings, but this did not fix the problem. Do you have any suggestions. I checked the bases to make sure the were mounted flush. I turned the front ring 180 degrees in the dove tail and I even switched the top rings around, but the allignment rods were still 1/16th of an inch off. Would a different mounting system work better i.e. a one piece mount? Thanks for your imput
I suspect you either have the wrong bases or one of them is defective or mis-marked. A 1/16" is a HUGE difference. If you confirm you have the correct bases and they're not deffective you you try Burris Signature rings. They have plastic concentric inserts that offer a tremendous amount of adjustment.
John Farner
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Posts: 2946 | Location: Corrales, NM, USA | Registered: 07 February 2001
Hmm... I have not used alignment rods so don't know what they are, but first question would be, are you sure you have the right bases? They are model specific due to variances in height between bridge and ring on different action and countour etc. Is this a sporterized rifle that you had to guess the base match on?
Red
Posts: 4740 | Location: Fresno, CA | Registered: 21 March 2003
You can go to the Leupold website and they have a mount and scope selector search that will tell you which rings and bases are correct for your application. Sounds like you have the wrong bases for your gun. Leupold makes a good product I doubt that that kind of variance is their error, but I've seen stranger things.
Posts: 5604 | Location: Eastern plains of Colorado | Registered: 31 October 2005
What action. Ive had a FN mauser 98s with leupold 2 piece standard that was alittle off on height like yours. It was a JC higgins FN belgium, my rear base was tilted up on the front slightly(used burris sig rings), but my husqvarns FNs are perfect
I checked the packaging on my rings and bases and it is correct based on Leupolds website. I can't figure what the problem might be. I am tempted to start over with a set of Burris signature rings and a one piece base.
Thanks for all your imput. I emailed Leupold requesting to send the rings and bases back for them to examine. I wish I had more experience to draw on because then I wouldn't have spent 6 hours on the project I would have known right off that something is wrong here.
Originally posted by noise maker: Thanks for all your imput. I emailed Leupold requesting to send the rings and bases back for them to examine. I wish I had more experience to draw on because then I wouldn't have spent 6 hours on the project I would have known right off that something is wrong here.
Hey, don’t sell yourself short. At least you had the smarts to check the alignment with a tool before you stuck an expensive scope in there and cranked down the ring caps.
Posts: 4574 | Location: Valencia, California | Registered: 16 March 2005
This is not as uncommon as one would think. I have had both bases and rings packaged incorrectly in the past. I can't say that they were leupold since it hasn't happened in a number of years now. I have had more problems with incorrect base screws then any other item. You no doubt saved your scope from serious damage and that alone makes the extra effort worth while.
Posts: 740 | Location: CT/AZ USA | Registered: 14 February 2001
It seems like I have read a lot of chatter about the manufacturing tolerances of factory rifles lately causing this type of issue. Basically the machining of the receiver is off just enough.
It seems like I had one like that too! In my case I shimmed it up (the rear in my case) and bedded the mount/receiver gap with MarineTex.2 years and 800 rounds later all is well.
If I had to do it over again, I would get the Burris Signature rings and their offset kit!
Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.
Posts: 1780 | Location: South Texas, U. S. A. | Registered: 22 January 2004
I have run into this problem with a two Winchester Model 70 Classics (featherweights) , and also with a couple of Mausers where the rear bridge had been ground down.
I have also used Burris Signature bases with the offset rings, and I don't believe that to be an answer for you if the amount you were off is as much as you state it was becasue their system is good to 40 thousandths (+20 in the front and -20 in the back or vice versa)
Assuming that you have the correct bases, there are two things that you can do. First, obviously, you can take it to a smith who has the necessary equipment to measure and then cut down one of the bases. Second, you can do the job yourself, which is what I have done on a couple of occasions.
Basically you need to get a small round file and carefully remove metal on the underside of the high base, paying particular attention to keeping the surface the same shape so that when you install the thing there isn't a large unsightly gap in it when you install it. You need to go "SLOW" and keep checking constantly. When you get close, switch to course paper and start polishing it down, and when you get really close use fine paper to polish it down.
Before you start, make sure your scope is on Zero for both Windage and Elevation, and make sure you set the weapon up in a place where it can't move and put up a reference point on a piece of paper where the scope is aiming. Obviously, take the bolt out if its a bolt action so that you can compare where the barrel is looking compared to where the scope is looking. Remember, you have to move the scope to look where the barrel is looking.
If you have patience you will get there. You might even surprise yourself at how good you did.
Noise maker, If you have already sent your rings to Leupy then your probably on a good track. I would go to a local dealer and see if he has a set of bases that are supposed to fit according to the charts, and check them out. Like Toomany Tools said, 1/16" is a HUGE difference, not even close to acceptable, and burris or any other rings that are supposed to 'take up the slack' wouldn't be my choice if they could absorb that kind of differential, which I don't think they could. I think you probably have an incorrect base issue, but if not, I would look to my rifle receiver next, if necessary, get another base for the one that is out (e.g. a higher front base if it is low) until you get trued up.
Good Luck--Don
Posts: 3563 | Location: GA, USA | Registered: 02 August 2004
If you turned the bases with the same results, I would bet that it is poor quality control when the receiver was manufactured. The bases will require custom fitting no matter who made them, or else use Burris Signature rings.
One thing about aligning rods. Both points could be pointing down or up slightly and still meet, making you think everything is straight, when it really is not.
