(Part 2) Best sporting optics mounts & rings according to redditors

I'll aim to be helpful.

First, that configuration is definitely not going to work. Your forward mount is not secure (it might be snug, but the recoil lug is actually behind the slot - this will get loose on the first shot or two and you'll never be able to zero it).

If you want to use this scope, get some cantilever rings. Nikon, among others, sell them, like so (I have not tried the rings I linked, they were just the first search result). That way, you can get the front end of your scope mounted properly. Note that you will need to do some math and make sure your height over bore is where it should be.

I have the M-Lok UTG light mount and it is incredible for $14.

People like to knock on UTG since it use to be a an airsoft company, but this mount is incredibly well machined, great anodizing, and incredibly sturdy. 500 rounds and it hasn't loosened. It's kind of a two piece mount, so it gives you two ways to mount.

I'd pay $40 for the mount. That's how nice it is.

The BIG and ONLY negative (depending on who you are) is that it is a heavy mount. There's a lot of aluminum, but as a guy with the old school mentality that heavier is better, the weight is a huge pro. I'm not walking 5 miles on gear so the weight isn't a big deal.

There's no loctite on the screws, but I haven't had an issue. I did put some purple loctite on the hardware just in case.

Edit: Keymod version

Is the scope too big? Haven't taken it to the range yet. Here's the shopping list along with relevant links-

Division G4 30mm Scope Mount --https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077V278ZP Second one I've bought so far, love it!

Vortex 24x scope - https://shop.opticsplanet.com/vortex-crossfire-ii-6-24x50mm-ao-riflescope.html

Aero M4E1 Lower - really like this! Aero M4E1 Upper 7'' Enhanced M-LOK Handguards Gen 2 - https://aeroprecisionusa.com/

Ballistic Advantage Barrel

Noveske Brake

Fail Zero Bolt Carrier - This is the blackened version, I'm impressed with these, I have a chrome one also.

KAK Shockwave - http://www.primaryarms.com/search?keywords=kak

KAK Buffer Tube - This makes a weird grinding sound when I charge the handle, I traded out the spring and buffer but same problem. For $20 I can't complain though.

Is this mount better than this other PA mount? (https://www.amazon.com/Primary-Arms-Basic-Magnifier-Mount/dp/B00GX677TM)

It's $10 cheaper and Amazon shipping if you buy the mount above and the magnifier directly from Amazon. (https://www.amazon.com/Primary-Arms-Relief-Magnifier-PA3XLERGENIV/dp/B01AK8U9AM)

For my Dye i5 the center of my optic is about 2.5" off the rail. That's using the Strikefire II red dot and Primary Arms LER magnifier on Primary Arms magnifier mount, both on UTG .75" risers

I got a 10/22 carbine for Christmas (one of the Shooting Store versions http://www.ruger.com/products/1022Carbine/specSheets/1240.html).

I added a Nikon Prostaff Target EFR 3-9x40 AO (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007PXVR5C) with the Nikon A-Series Medium 1'' rings (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SMX6BTQ) and took it to a local 50 yard range last week to test it out and zero-in the glass.

I was happy with the gun and the scope but unhappy with my cheek weld.

Just today I installed a Matthews Fabrication Bear Paw Right adjustable kydex cheek rest riser (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O0IOKOA). It feels really solid and allows me to get my weld in just the right spot.

I haven't ground down the bolts or taken it to the range yet, but I'm very excited!

Having a dot for close in work isn’t the worst idea if it’s pulling double duty as a hunting build, but I’d really make replacing that scope mount your priority. That style of mount is for a rifle that needs extra eye relief to mount the scope, extra height to look through it, and the ability to quickly remove the scope to use backup irons if the optic is busted and you still have to shoot.

Since your rifle doesn’t need extra eye relief to use a scope, doesn’t need significant elevation of the optic aside from enough to let it clear the barrel, and you won’t be removing the scope regularly to “get back in the fight” that mount isn’t necessary and is probably a detriment to your accuracy. I’d recommend replacing it with a set of precision scope rings like seekins. Good rings are worth the money, a really nice scope is worthless if it’s in a bad mount that won’t hold it straight and secure.

Edit: just found what I believe the mount on amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MBZ3TGS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_yr1uDbYKAVJT7 OP ditch that thing immediately those are crap and thanks to their garbage qd feature will likely fall off under the recoil of the rifle and certainly won’t retain zero.

Same goes for the red dot, it won’t hold up to the recoil of that rifle and you’ll be lucky if it still even turns on after a day at the range. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to have a functional rifle but the bits that literally hold the two most expensive parts of your setup together are important.

Edit edit: I’m assuming you bought all the extra bits on amazon, I’d recommend you return them if you can and go with these 30mm Tube .87" Medium 4 Cap Screw Scope Ring https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00URT7A98/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_pH1uDbNN8B89Q also make sure you torque everything to spec otherwise it loosen up under recoil and you won’t hit anything.

Don’t make the same mistakes I did so many years ago.

I can’t remember where I got mine but it’s a Picatinny to Picatinny adaptor like this one

https://www.amazon.com/AIM-Sports-Release-Absolute-Co-Witness/dp/B072XP8W5N

Believe it or not, this mount is amazing for the price if you don't feel like shelling out $50+ for a mount.

Just get a quick release rail mount. Something like this

I bought my BTR from Amazon. I have it on my Savage BA110 Stealth with the Vortex rings. It works well for the price point. Everything is more accurate than I am. The illuminated reticle is very nice in low light situations. The only beef I have is at full magnification it is very grainy. Although I knew this when I purchased it.

You could also purchase it through Opticsplanet. They currently have a 10% off code.

My rifle

Just got one of these in mlok, super solid and versatile, plus cheap.

Leapers RG-FL27KC Inc, UTG Offset Flashlight Ring Mount, Keymod, Matte black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072595FNS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_sNV-AbS7HEBP2

Edit: Update after shooting, mlok screws are in need of loctite to avoid loosening while firing.

My MK II has a BSA Sweet 22 3-9x40 ($50 on Amazon) mounted with some Weaver low-profile rings ($6 at Wal-Mart) on top of Weaver #24 mounts ($11 for 2 on Amazon). I had to remove the rear sight with a drift punch to allow the objective bell to clear the barrel properly. I do not recommend medium/high profile rings on this rifle; even with low profile rings I'm about 1/4" low on the cheek weld.

The scope is amazing for the money; it has enough elevation to mess around at 250 yards if you want, the turrets work pretty well.

Scope:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NJUPAS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Mounts:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002PUOIB0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There's a seller on amazon that has the standard trijicon mount for cheaper than I've seen them before. I'll try to find the link.

Here's is is. $5 less than what I got it for. Full cowitness.

If you take the rear leaf off it gives you a perfect dovetail to mount one of these;

Monstrum rail here

Slightly Bigger UTG mount here

Youtube video instructions here

Thanks for your advice. I went ahead and bought these last night. Think they will do? Also, what difference does having your scope mounted higher make? Just preference?

https://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Tactical-Riflescope-Medium-Profile/dp/B01IG1OARI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1483038814&sr=8-2&keywords=vortex+30mm

https://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Optics-Tactical-30mm-Riflescope/dp/B01LBT7UQU/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1483038814&sr=8-6&keywords=vortex+30mm

Hopefully either one of these will work!

I use this co-witness mount and this primary arms red dot. The red dot has a lifetime warranty, which is good.

Nikon A-Series Medium 1'' Scope Rings - 16167 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SMX6BTQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_mht.yb93ESRA6 currently on sale for 10$. Good cheaper rings

https://www.amazon.com/Modkin-Tactical-Flashlight-Picatinnly-Aluminum/dp/B06XRBK2MK

I bought this to use with the predator pro. I like the quick detach for climbing out the woods and not having to point the rifle in all directions. Solid mount and $12 free shipping

Use Vortex rings. I have them on my Ruger American and they are amazing. I can't remember which model they are but /u/vortexoptics can chime in. I use the ones that have size screws. I got my torque wrench on Amazon for like $45 from wheeler. Here it is.

I'm gonna poke around vortex website and see if I can find the rings for you. This is they. They are not the best thing Votex offers and I can't even find them on their website anymore hence why I had to hunt down amazon. These things work though. They aren't as good as some of my other rings but you can't beat the quality for the price.

thanks eisen for all your help. will these work?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002PUOIB0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

i think so based on what tomthegeek says, but just want to verify.

can i install a scope by myself or do i need a gunsmith to do it make sure it is level?

https://www.amazon.com/UTG-Leapers-MNT-DTW145-Dovetail-Picatinny/dp/B01ABW7GS0

Thank you very much. I ordered the Vortex PST 6-24 FFP. Gonna be mounting it on my Tikka T3X CTR and I'm looking forward to it very much.

Kinda off topic, ignore if necessary, but if anyone has the same setup, recommendations for ring mounts? I'm looking at these two:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00691G19I/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A86M66Z7Z0Z95
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00URT7A98/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

I would like the scope as close to the barrel as possible. Otherwise, thanks a lot. Great deal!

I run these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007V6QU6O

On this rail: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051UJQU4

The rail is massive overkill for a R700/.308 gun. But it is very nice and very tight tolerances.

If you are going with a pic rail, then these Vortex rings might work for you. They are 30mm. I don't know your scope size. I can't find any reason to dislike them. $38.00

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01LBRGFKO/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The mounts you want are Weaver Base Mounts, size 24. Two of them.

And the rings I put on my mk2 were these cheapy 1" that are just fine. The scope I bought came with 3" rings. too high, but looks like that simmons comes with 1" rings anyways

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BQWTBDI

The difference between the three is the amount of offset each offers, which translates to additional eye relief potential on an AR. The SPR has the most eye relief and the baseline scope mount has the least. Aero is a fantastic company that puts out high-quality gear, the one thing I got frustrated with while mounting a scope using the SPR was that the top hook / lever-style tightening system causes the scope to rotate slightly as you fully tighten it. It doesn't come with any instructions that might give you hints on how to deal with this issue, and also doesn't tell you how tight to make the screws (I was nervous about going past 16 inch-lbs). To me this seems like an inherent design issue that isn't satisfactorily addressed. Weight-wise, the Aero mounts are unbeatable, and their machining work is top-notch. Personally I prefer a standard cantilever scope mount with the traditional top-mounting rings, such as the DG4 SPR mount. It's heavy, but also super-tough and rigid. I own two of them now :-) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077V278ZP

I ran an RMR clone on my 17, worked really well, held zero for over 500rds, never failed, or showed any signs of failure, before I decided to take it off, and EDC the gun. I ran it with an OuterImpact RMR mount. If you're looking for a budget option, this is the best bet imo, I've tried other < $100 dot sights, and all of them have failed except for this.

My Vortex Diamondback has 3.1-3.5" of eye relief. Seems a bit on the short side, but generous enough I would think for 223. Most of the other scopes I was looking at were within 3-4 inches as well.

I'm not sure which mount to get, cantilever or scope rings. I know the height has to be pretty high just because the stock is in line with the receiver and not offset.

What do you think of one of these? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QITM3WK/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YFPNDOG/

I highly recommend the accupoint. I have several TR20 3-9's.

This is my recomendation for a good quality mid to long range magnified optic for something like an AR-15 paired with a fixed offset iron sight for short range targets. This would be a strong budget minded configration you will be very happy with.

Trijicon TR20-2G AccuPoint 3-9X40Mm Riflescope, 1" Main Tube, Mil-Dot Crosshair Reticle with Green Dot, $569

Division G4 M556 Series, 1'' SPR Cantilever Scope Mount $40

Ozark Armament 45 Degree Offset Backup Iron Sights $29

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You rotate the gun from 12:00 to 1:30 to switch between sighting systems which is very fast and looks gangster. refer to my video,

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magnfied to short range sight transition 1

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another sight transition video

It's an inexpensive, nameless cantilever mount. In fact, it looks like Vortex has put their badging all over it.

They're $40 on Amazon for the factory non-QD if you don't have any luck with a QD: https://smile.amazon.com/Trijicon-AC32068-Miniature-Co-Witness-Adapter/dp/B013XADGPY/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=mro+mount&qid=1562784720&s=gateway&sr=8-5

Here is the link for it

https://www.amazon.com/Outerimpact-Adapter-Mount-Glock-Pistol/dp/B01MFFOFGO/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1524874571&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=Outerimpact+Red+Dot+Adapter%2FMount+for+Glock+Pistol+-+M.R.A&dpPl=1&dpID=310giGeqSFL&ref=plSrch

I have owned and used the Trijicon LED ACOG and I have also used (but not owned) the tritium ACOG during my time in the USMC.

I have never owned a VCOG but I hear they are as good as, if not a little better than, the Vortex. However keep in mind that you are paying $900 more for literally no gain in performance. Both the Vortex and VCOG are 1-6 variable and are similarly weighted.

The VCOG is more durable than the Vortex, however Vortex has an expansive lifetime warranty. If it breaks during normal use they will fix it or replace it. Trijicon has a 5 year warranty on the VCOG for internal electronics, and a "limited lifetime" warranty for material and workmanship.

The VCOG is LED (no tritium) and works off a single AA battery. The Vortex is also LED and is powered off a common watch/camera battery, a CR2032 battery. The CR2032 is a bit harder to come by but you can buy a huge pack of them off Amazon and never have to worry about having a spare.

Last thing is that the magnification adjustment knob on the VCOG comes with "throw lever", which helps in rotating the knob. The Vortex doesn't have that. People who buy the Vortex usually get the "throw lever" to help adjust the knob, as it can be difficult to turn.

https://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Optics-Switchview-Throw-SV-3/dp/B00BQWTCZA/ref=pd_bxgy_200_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=KEDFDMZATKJB5CT8RCZR

$55

Lastly, if you aren't sure about variable powered optics, just get yourself a Vortex Strike Eagle. It's the Viper HD's cheaper cousin. It's also a 1-6x variable power scope, weighs 17 oz, and only costs $300. The glass isn't as "clear" and the reticule is messier than the Viper HD, but it'll give you a good feel of what the Viper HD is like. If you're unsure, start with the Strike Eagle, see if you like it (or don't) and move on from there. At worst you now have a nice Strike Eagle that you can sell to any of your friends with ARs (they have been selling like hotcakes). At best you'll keep the Strike Eagle and put it on your wife's/kids/friends AR build.

https://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Optics-Strike-AR-BDC-Reticle/dp/B00S2P2KKS

P.S. If you get the Vortex scopes keep in mind they don't come with mounts. Be prepared to buy a 30mm tube mount, like the LaRue cantilever mount. The LaRue is a higher end "quick detach" mount, there are cheaper options available.

LaRue Mount

https://www.amazon.com/LaRue-Tactical-Cantilever-Scope-Mount/dp/B00Z7G9QJS/?th=1&psc=1

$210

Vortex Cantilever mount

https://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Cantilever-Mount-Offset-CM-202/dp/B009N24RN2/

$88

I have not personally used any of these products but a quick search showed some with really good reviews. As a rule I typically don't advise people on how to spend their money, but if I were looking for risers I'd go with these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01EQIN2QK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1498340896&sr=8-1-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=riser&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01A6JLVDE/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1498340896&sr=8-2-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=riser&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01CKYYH4S/ref=mp_s_a_1_26?ie=UTF8&qid=1498341045&sr=8-26&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=riser

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009ZY0OKI/ref=mp_s_a_1_35?ie=UTF8&qid=1498341086&sr=8-35&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=riser&dpPl=1&dpID=21aeQDX6n7L&ref=plSrch