Re: Badger Ordnance Vs. Nightforce Rings & Rail.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USMC_4_life</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was going with the idea that there was no sense in using aluminum rings on a tactical rifle
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I disagree.
I never thought I would evolve into this opinion but never the less, I find myself here.
All current scope tubes on all current production scopes are aluminum. Those tubes are filled with glass, springs, bushings, helical gears, plastic, brass and no telling what else. With that in mind, if your rifle takes the brunt of a fall or crashes down some stairs with you, what do you think is going to be the weak link???? I'm thinking your scope, especially with the bulk of it hanging out of each end of your rings and all those juicy turrets sticking out like antenae.
I have been using the NF Ultra rings for the last 4 years. They are built from 7075-T6 and Titanium. Nothing to rust or corrode. Never needed to lap any. Machined surfaces are all excellent with no sharp edges where the scope tube sits,. . or anywhere else for that matter. And here is a biggie, the plate under the cross bolt nut is very robust and is very unlikely to crack or break. Some other brands can and do.
The only time I do not use these rings is when the rifle specs dictate SimRad compatiblity. Since no SimRad mount is being made to work with the NF rings, I use Badger or Leupy rings in those instances. I continue to install the NF Ultra rings on everything including .338LM, .338NM and .300NM with nothing but reliable performance and happy customers.
In short, if the rings are tougher and more rigid than your scope, further discussion of aluminum vs. steel rings is a fairly moot point.
Marty is a very smart man and a successful business owner. If you go to his Badger website, you will find a lot of the ring models available in aluminum alloy. Why would the man produce and sell an aluminum ring to this market? Pretty sure he knows they will hold their own against steel in these applications.
One other thought. . ..
All of the embedded type forward night vision mounts that I know of are manufactured from high dollar, aircraft grade aluminum. These mounts are responsible for receiving and retaining units ranging in weight from 2.5 to 4.5 pounds while under recoil, movement and handling. These NV units cost $8-20K. At 2-3X the weight of the typical scope and 4-8X the cost, why would anyone produce a mount for these units that wasn't steel? I prefer to think that it is because these aluminum alloys get the job done with plenty of safety margin and at a lower weight.
Just sharing my opinion.
