Rotary Dovetail Scope Mounting System, Question.

antelopedundee

antelopedundee

internet bum
Just wondering if anyone here has experience with POI issues using a rotary dovetail mount system where there is NO RESISTANCE when one turns the dovetail ring into the hole in a one piece Leupold or Redfield base. I've got "stuff" I've had for years that I could use to mount a scope on a new rifle or just buy new.

BTW, what do folks here do with all of the odds n ends they accumulate over the years? I've got action screws, scope rings, sling swivels, triggers [Rem takeoffs] , etc. that I wonder why the hell I ever bought the stuff.
 
I have made good use of gun site want ads, some free, to sell stuff that has value, but which I never would have used. For small to medium things USPS flat rate boxes are a great deal and the boxes are free, so you can keep several sizes on hand. I also keep a kitchen sized garbage full of foam peanuts and the like. By selling the old stuff that I don't need I can spend the money on new stuff that I don't need. ;-) When the cost of storage exceeds the value of what is being stored it is time to take another tack. If I did not feel some resistance when I turned in a rotary dovetail ring, I would not use it. Years ago I had a one piece base of that type on an '03 Springfield and when I took the scope out of the rings the front one was very loose in the base, which explained the accuracy issues that I had been having. Examining the ring the part that turns into the base had a large burr that had probably happened because of insufficient lubrication when I installed it. I discarded the rings and new ones worked fine in the base. From that point on, for rings of that type, I have used Hornady one shot sprayed into the hole in the base and on the bottom of the ring. I let it dry before installing the ring, and then wipe off the excess.
 
Boyd Allen said:
I have made good use of gun site want ads, some free, to sell stuff that has value, but which I never would have used. For small to medium things USPS flat rate boxes are a great deal and the boxes are free, so you can keep several sizes on hand. I also keep a kitchen sized garbage full of foam peanuts and the like. By selling the old stuff that I don't need I can spend the money on new stuff that I don't need. ;-) When the cost of storage exceeds the value of what is being stored it is time to take another tack. If I did not feel some resistance when I turned in a rotary dovetail ring, I would not use it. Years ago I had a one piece base of that type on an '03 Springfield and when I took the scope out of the rings the front one was very loose in the base, which explained the accuracy issues that I had been having. Examining the ring the part that turns into the base had a large burr that had probably happened because of insufficient lubrication when I installed it. I discarded the rings and new ones worked fine in the base. From that point on, for rings of that type, I have used Hornady one shot sprayed into the hole in the base and on the bottom of the ring. I let it dry before installing the ring, and then wipe off the excess.
Click to expand...

Years ago, I'm pretty sure that I didn't lube anything before I turned the front ring in. Is there anything that one could apply to the dovetail that would last before turning it into the base.

As for the odds n ends, most aren't worth enough by themselves to warrant shipping in an envelope much less a SFRB [now $7+]. You'd be lucky to get $5 for a pair of even new sling swivels. Cheapest postage for a bubble envelope is I think $2.67. Best is maybe make a list and sell it all off as a single lot. Frikken Craigslist won't let you list gun parts either.

PSA If you have a PayPal account and want to print a shipping label [even if the transaction doesn't involve PayPal] just go to www.paypal.com/shipnow and you can set up and print a label. No need to pay to use Pitney-Bowes or stamps.com
 
antelopedundee said:
Just wondering if anyone here has experience with POI issues using a rotary dovetail mount system where there is NO RESISTANCE when one turns the dovetail ring into the hole in a one piece Leupold or Redfield base. I've got "stuff" I've had for years that I could use to mount a scope on a new rifle or just buy new.

BTW, what do folks here do with all of the odds n ends they accumulate over the years? I've got action screws, scope rings, sling swivels, triggers [Rem takeoffs] , etc. that I wonder why the hell I ever bought the stuff.
Click to expand...

As to the loose turn in dovetail ring: yes it will move. You can take it apart, de-grease, and either braze or epoxy it, or throw it away.
 
I have had OK luck selling rings and bases paired on eBay. I've sold some other shooting odds and ends there too, like dies I no longer use. I'm about ready to go on another selling jag.

I have gradually got rid of all my turn-in rings and bases save one set. That is a one piece base on a Remington 700 and I used Burris Signature rings on that one. That is absolutely the only type of turn-in ring I will use as I don't trust them to align properly and not deform the scope tube slightly.

Most of my bolt actions wear one-piece Picatinny rails, usually EGW. Even though correct alignment is much more assured with those I still use Signature rings almost exclusively. Another advantage of those is that you can use the offset inserts when you want a 10 or 20 MOA scope angle.
 
dovetail rings

i always lube the dovetail with red shooters choice grease . if they get loose you can squeeze the dovetail in a mill vise and it will make it tight in the base. be careful if you do this as it does not take very much pressure. squeeze and try the fit. i've only fixed burris rings this way. i use the signature rings. could also clamp in a smooth jawed vise and tap the jaw with a hammer.
 
philipbrousseau said:
i always lube the dovetail with red shooters choice grease . if they get loose you can squeeze the dovetail in a mill vise and it will make it tight in the base. be careful if you do this as it does not take very much pressure. squeeze and try the fit. i've only fixed burris rings this way. i use the signature rings. could also clamp in a smooth jawed vise and tap the jaw with a hammer.
Click to expand...

Which is more usually the culprit for a loose fit, the base or the ring? I've got a couple long ones with one a looser fit than the other which is why both have been in my toolbox for 15 years instead of on a rifle. Of course if they're too snug, then using the windage screws will bend the tube instead of moving the scope the way it should. When I get the gun [a Rem 700] , I'll likely set it up using a collimator and then lap in the lower half of the rings if needed. After that, I'll use the scope's internal adjustments to dial it in.
 
vtmarmot said:
I have had OK luck selling rings and bases paired on eBay. I've sold some other shooting odds and ends there too, like dies I no longer use. I'm about ready to go on another selling jag.

I have gradually got rid of all my turn-in rings and bases save one set. That is a one piece base on a Remington 700 and I used Burris Signature rings on that one. That is absolutely the only type of turn-in ring I will use as I don't trust them to align properly and not deform the scope tube slightly.

Most of my bolt actions wear one-piece Picatinny rails, usually EGW. Even though correct alignment is much more assured with those I still use Signature rings almost exclusively. Another advantage of those is that you can use the offset inserts when you want a 10 or 20 MOA scope angle.
Click to expand...

I've put my first eBay item in years up [keydatekoinz] so we'll see how it goes.
 
philipbrousseau said:
i always lube the dovetail with red shooters choice grease . if they get loose you can squeeze the dovetail in a mill vise and it will make it tight in the base. be careful if you do this as it does not take very much pressure. squeeze and try the fit. i've only fixed burris rings this way. i use the signature rings. could also clamp in a smooth jawed vise and tap the jaw with a hammer.
Click to expand...

TY for the suggestions.
 
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