LT-104 digging/gouging EGW R700 rail + hi-res pics

[yarbsea]

I'm new to bolt actions, and just got a R700 AAC-SD and without knowing much got a 20MOA rail from EGW (evolutionary gun works) and mounted it up. After shooting about 30 rounds with a LT-104 mounted on top, after removal I notice that the two bars under the lt-104 mount have dug gouges into what appears to be very soft aluminum on the EGW rail piece. I suppose this is because the EGW rail is not milled completly straight across, and instead has a channel down the middle which is what the larue would want to press against.

So what is the verdict - is this EGW rail junk? Or is this no biggie and now it's "bedded" for lack of a better word? It has NO movement that I can tell but it obviously did under recoil. To me this looks like amature hour and the rail piece is junk and doesn't work with the larue....

 

[WRENCHHEAD]

Re: LT-104 digging/gouging EGW R700 rail + hi-res pics

if you have a digital caliper can you measure the width of the slot on the rail? and then measure the nub on the larue mount that goes into said slot? looks like one of the items is out of spec.

if both are are in normal spec i'd say ur right about EGW and Larue compatability. normally a pic rail would have solid rails across to aid in a larger bearing surface.

 

[Mr.Maim]

Re: LT-104 digging/gouging EGW R700 rail + hi-res pics

kelmvor - I'm a big fan of LaRue mounts and have two LT-104s. Both are mounted on AR-platform rifles so my setup is a little different than your because my rails are flat all the way across (perpindicular to the bore) but let me ask you a couple clarifying questions:

-The mount is definately shifting on recoil. Are you getting it locked down all the way? The LT-104 includes instructions on how to adjust the latches to accomodate 'out of spec' rails. When you lock the mount down, can you move it around in any direction?

-Your picture of the bottom of the LaRue shows marks where the rail teeth rubbed against the LaRue. You can see them very clearly at the front of the mout then they fade off... almost like it was a little crooked. You may have one lever tighter than the other, or it may be engaging harder. What does the underside of your EGW rail look like where the locking levers contact? Are they evenly worn? Is there damage there as well?

I'm really surprised at the amount of damage considering the low round count you shot with the mount/base combo, and the caliber (not a magnum or reall hammering load). That base seems awful soft.

It seems that that EGW base was designed more for traditional scope mounts (two rings) where the pressure of the scope ring is at the sides of the EGW mount, different from the way that the LaRue is engaging the base.

You you could always call LaRue and see what they say. Their customer service is outstanding, and you may want to call and see if you can email them these pictures and see what the say.

...just throwing out some suggestions...

 

[DCR]

Re: LT-104 digging/gouging EGW R700 rail + hi-res pics

It looks to me that the two lugs are only contacting at the points where you see the gouges are. The metal is pretty thin at those points. So during recoil the entire force of the recoil is being concentrated in those 4 tiny areas. If you want to use that mount I'd switch to a base with full depth slots that go all the way across the base.