Scope Mount for Beginners

[SW CQB 45]

I tried the search function and maybe my choice of words was not getting the right posts.

I have no time behind glass. I was the guy who held out the longest sticking with irons but when the eyes started to fade when over 40……I finally bought red dots.

Now over 50s, my dots are now a fireworks blast. (not really but close)

I am about to pull the plug on possibly buying two optics…. (Bushnell 1-6.5 and going to T/E a Trijicon 1-4 Accupower. sent my paperwork in today)

The optic will go on a pinned 14.5 BCM lightweight as my main trainer and play back up to my issued 12.5 with distances 50 and much further in.

Most of my shooting will consist of LE training with a mix of prone and standing.

I have not a clue on what type of mount. I will not be laying in the prone for a long periods of time as my neck does not like to be bent back.

I have nothing to compare other than my red dots are using 1/3rd co-witness. My body type if 6'03" 270 lbs 2XLT.

I like the ADM mounts and I am sure you all will suggest the furtherest out will be the best but what about height?

Part of me says go with the tallest which is an AD RECON H but it does not extend the furtherest?

THe X is the furtherest but not the tallest.

any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I may start out with the Bushnell on my 14.5 and when I get to test a Accupower….if it works better for me as LEO, I will switch the Bushnell to my BCM 18".

if there is a link that I have failed to find that will teach or give the best direction on scope mount that best fits, please let me know.

thanks in advance

[elephantrider]

I have a Bushnell SMRS 1-6.5x24, Second Focal Plain with the BTR-2 reticle. I would highly recommend this configuration for the Bushnell 1-6.5. The second focal plain version of the BTR-2 reticle is a VERY usable reticle in daytime and low light, and one of the only ones I've seen that works in daylight without any need for illumination. It has illumination, but isn't totally needed, and more of 'a nice to have' feature for low low light situations.

The mounting height on an optic like this is a bit of a preference thing. You will find pro 3-gun shooters that use both ends of the height extremes. Noveske shooting team uses a SPUHR mount which sits quite low at about 1.26". With that low of a mount, you would likely need to shoulder the butt stock high in the shoulder pocket and keep a tight cheek weld, I believe that they find this more shooting position on the move. On the other extreme, top 3 gun shooter Daniel Horner (and others) use an extra high mount at about 1.90" for more of a heads-up position. Think butt stock mounted lower in shoulder pocket and head upright with more of a chin weld. Those are the extremes, and they can be made to work well in a lot of cases, but in my opinion, neither is very flexible. The low mount is going suck if you cant get a decent body position in relation to your target, and the high mount is not that useful for a more precision shot.

Most mounts are in the mid-height range with about 1.5" height, and usable for most shoots in most situations. I have used the ADM Recon at 1.47" height and it works fine. I can get a good heads up position for fast/close shooting, and a decent cheek weld for any precision shots from the prone. I just swapped it out for a Badger Ordnance 306-317A at 1.54". Not much of a height difference between the two, but I did not need the QD feature of the ADM mount and it did not really quick detach anyway. Once the ADM levers were adjusted to hold the rail securely they were nearly impossible to remove by hand, at least not quickly. The 65/in-lbs. cross bolts of the Badger are likely more secure than the ADM once torqued down properly. I also do not like the vertical split ring configuration of the ADM, that while secure, uses the scope as the structure to keep the rings on the mount (Larue mounts do this also), not to mention being a bit of a pain to level the scope and tighten the rings at the same time. The Badger also gives a hair more flexibility in how much the scope can be cantilevered forward. The forthcoming Geissele Super Precision Optic Mount looks to be a well engineered mount that would also work, but it is not out yet, costs at least $100 more, and I do not believe it will give the same amount of forward cantilever for the Bushnell 1-6.5. That last point may not be accurate, as I have not physically compared them, and may not be an issue for YOU anyway.

If you need a true QD mount, I would recommend the Bobro. It is the only cantilever QD mount that I can think of that is currently available that actually releases easily, that also holds zero and returns to zero.

How much forward cantilever is necessary? I am 6'-2" and 200lbs+, and I usually shoot with my collapsible stock nearly fully extended (about 13.5" LOP). If you are one of those guys that likes to fully collapse thier stock you may need more cantilever. I found that the standard ADM Recon had enough cantilever for me. You could also go with the extended cantilever type mount to make sure it has enough and simply pull the mount back a rail slot or two if it is too far out for a decent eye relief. I also tried the Recon H mount, and while the extra height is usable for run and gun, it is kinda goofy for any precision type shooting (see my height comments above), so I would recommend against using it.

Readers Digest Version:

Height?: Look for something about ~1.5" mounting height

How much cantilever?: I found that the std. ADM Recon had enough for me, but a little more cantilever would have more mounting flexibility.

Actual mount recommendations?:

For a QD mount: get the Bobro Precision Optic Mount Extended 30MM Rings, in 0 MOA/Flat, or 20 MOA, either will work. This mount has a 1.575" height, and plenty of forward cantilever, holds and returns to zero, and does not have the vertical split rings that use the scope tube to hold the rings to the mount like the ADM does.

Dont need a QD mount?:
- Look at the Nightforce unimount. Their standard unimount actually has the same amount of effective cantilever as the ADM Recon. They only come in 20 MOA cant, but should work just fine with the cant. You'd probably want the A221 model (1.5" height)
- The Badger 306-317A is what I have right now and suits my needs well. Enough cantilever for my size and the way I shoot, and a usable height at 1.54".
- The forthcoming Geissele Super Precision Optic Mounts may be the most secure, non-QD option available, but are not out just yet and might be hard to find for some time to come, until production catches up with demand, and will cost a bit more.

Whichever mount you get , plan on picking up one of Arisaka Defense's optic leveler's. Worth every penny, as they make it easy and fast to level and install the optic to most any mount.

[GH41]

If you are accustomed to shooting red dots on lower 1/3 height mounts why would you want to change the way you mount the rifle with a scope? Use a mount with center around 1.55-1.6 over the top of the rail. Length/cantilever will be determined by the eye relief of the scope and your head position on the rifle. What works for others may not work for you. Would you ask what size shoes to buy on an internet forum? Most manufacturers of mounts and scopes offer diagrams showing the dimensions. You can get close using them to get a mount. What works for me is using a mount you have (your aimpoint mount would work) to position the new scope where it works best for you. Don't worry if it is clamped to your hand guard or not. Once the sweet spot is found a few simple measurements will determine what mount to get. Hope this helps.

[Eurodriver]

Actual mount recommendations?:
For a QD mount: get the Bobro Precision Optic Mount Extended 30MM Rings, in 0 MOA/Flat, or 20 MOA, either will work. This mount has a 1.575" height, and plenty of forward cantilever, holds and returns to zero, and does not have the vertical split rings that use the scope tube to hold the rings to the mount like the ADM does.

Whichever mount you get , plan on picking up one of Arisaka Defense's optic leveler's. Worth every penny, as they make it easy and fast to level and install the optic to most any mount.

I second this, with the exception that the Arisaka optic leveler does not work with Bobro mounts.

[Brahmzy]

Details details.

[elephantrider]

I second this, with the exception that the Arisaka optic leveler does not work with Bobro mounts.

Thanks for the correction. I don't have a Bobro mount, and it has been a long time since I installed and optic into one. Now that you reminded me, I used a feeler gauge between the scope body and the mount to level it out in the Bobro. That was the pre-Arisaka leveler method for me.

[cop1211]

Bobro.

[GH41]

Bobro.

Drink the Cool-Aid.

[elephantrider]

Drink the Cool-Aid.

Is there something implied here, or are you just expressing your fondness for Kool-Aid?

[elephantrider]

Details details.

is there a question or a comment hidden in there?