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Help Finding Cantilever Scope Mount

zeeohsixinc

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Apr 1, 2012
21
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Cameron, NC
I'm finally getting around to mounting a scope on my flat top varmint AR. It looks like I'm going to need a cantilever mount, as standard rings bring the scope too far rearward. I've been looking around and haven't found exactly what I am looking for yet. Please help with some suggestions. Everything I find is quite a bit higher than I would like. I'm looking to get the objective bell as close to the forend as possible. I'm looking for the following

Less than $100.
30mm.
As low as possible, 1.1" from center of scope to rail, or .51" from bottom of scope.
No additional picatinny rails on the rings.
20 MOA offset. Not required but would like it if possible.

I have found the following, but none of them are exactly what I'm looking for, too high and would like the 20MOA offset if possible.

https://www.primaryarms.com/Primary-Arms-Deluxe-AR15-Scope-Mount-30mm-p/padlxsm.htm

SWFA S.S.A.L.T. 30mm Scope Mount

Vortex Cantilever 30mm Ring Mount
 
There is a reason that nearly everything you are finding for the AR-platform rifles is so high. 1.1" is VERY low for an AR platform rifle based on the lack of any drop at the comb of the rifle which place the shooter's eye higher in comparison to something like a bolt action or other style rifle. People get all up in arms about "getting the bell of the scope as close to the barrel as possible" but it simply isn't all that important as properly fitting the optic to the shooter/stock/etc., should take the lead over the other. Putting a scope that low on an AR can cause the shooter to awkwardly position themselves on the rifle trying to get a proper alignment on their optic. If you have already done this and are sure that you REALLY want/need to go that low (~0.3-0.4" lower than a standard mount), then have at it, but I'd be remiss if I didn't at least throw that out there. The most common height for AR mounts will be somewhere between 1.3-1.5", give or take, as a result of the above.

I'm not aware of any mount on the market that will get you that low, offer a cantilever offset, with 30mm rings and, ideally, would also give you 20MOA cant and a price that low. Frankly...even throwing the price out...the only 1.1" mount I can think of at all for the AR is the American Defense AD-Recon-SL (1.110"), but it has no cant, no offset and will run $150+. You can go up to around 1.25" which gets you into some very high quality mounts like the Badger GAP-10 type mount (34mm rings with 30mm reducers), but with that addt'l quality increases the price to ~$200.

The other option is to get a quality AR riser like the Badger AR-riser base for example which has a 22MOA cant and a slight offset with a total height of 0.375". Tack on a high quality set of rings from a reputable mfg that are 0.725" or so high and you have your solution with some very high quality components indeed. The Badger riser runs ~$85 new and some have sold recently here on the Hide used for a good bit less. Add a high quality set of LOW rings and you'll probably have something close to what you are wanting in terms of height, cant, etc., but again...over your budget.
 
The Nightforce Unimount was the lowest I ever used at 1.125. I thought it was perfect for an A1/A2 stock without any adjustment. The mount is very nice and worth the money. If they made one in the 34mm for my XRS in the right height I would get one for my new setup. THe Badger one mentioned above is likely what I will get to lower scope some from the ADM mount I'm using now. The AD-Recon-SL mentioned above is not a cantilevered mount as mentioned, so it does not the ability to get the eye relief correct, I tried to mount one up on an AR15 and had the PRS adjusted all the way out and it was still not far enough for me.

Pony up the funds and get the Nightforce or the Badger. A lot of this stuff is a good investment that you'll end up keeping and using on several setups. Or if you decide to sell it will retain it's value well.
Ultralite Unimount | Nightforce Optics, Inc.