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Project "Budget Tactical"

LoneWolfUSMC

LoneWolfUSMC

Lt. Colonel
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 9, 2008
7,363
18
Southern Indiana
www.8541tactical.com
#1
I am starting the outline on a "Budget" rifle build article/review.

I want some input on "budget" optics mounts for a Remington 700 platform. I have quite a few options if I don't need any cant. However if I want to mount the optic with 20MOA or more down angle then my options in the "less expensive" area slim down quick.

I know the cheap favorite seems to be the EGW rail and Burris Xtreme rings. I am not fond of the quality or bulk of either of those pieces and would prefer to stay away from them.

What other options are out there? I want to stay under $150 for mounts. If I need to go over that I will just pony up for a Nightforce Direct Mount or Seekins rail and rings.

Thanks
 
#2
Re: Project "Budget Tactical"

TPS? I don't have any experience with their bases but I've had a set of their steel 30mm rings for years and they've done just what they should.
 
#4
Re: Project "Budget Tactical"

TPS rings and bases are great. As long as you go with steel. I have the 20 MOA base and Medium rings on my L/A 700 and they work great. They look good too. I think they were $75 for the rings and $65 for the base.
 
#5
Re: Project "Budget Tactical"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MAGUA</div><div class="ubbcode-body">http://www.Kenfarrell.com </div></div>

That's great, but it puts them out of the "Budget" range and in the same price bracket at Seekins, Badger, etc.

I will take a look at TPS. Please keep the suggestions coming.

Does anyone know of a canted, once piece mount similar to the Nightforce Direct Mount in a lower price point?
 
#7
Re: Project "Budget Tactical"

Burris Signature rings, with pos-align inserts. About $60 for bases and rings.

You can put about 20 moa into the 30mm rings, and about 36 moa into the 1" rings, via the eccentric inserts.

30mm Burris Sgnature DD, with +.010 eccentric aft, and -.010 eccentric forward, for about 19 moa forward slope.
Img_7628.jpg


1" Signature Zee rings, +.020 aft, -.020 forward, for about 36 moa forward slope.
CopyofP7160010.jpg
 
#10
Re: Project "Budget Tactical"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MontanaMarine</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Burris Signature rings, with pos-align inserts. About $60 for bases and rings.

You can put about 20 moa into the 30mm rings, and about 36 moa into the 1" rings, via the eccentric inserts.</div></div>

Looks nice and clean too. How is the reliability? Dropped it any?
 
#12
Re: Project "Budget Tactical"

Not to speak out of turn, but isn't there a reason 99% of people shooting with a built in slope have it built into the base?

Have you considered the EGW HD mounts? They are lower than the old versions and priced to fit the budget build.

Edited to add: I know the old $40 ones were foodstamps, I had one... but these seems like they did more than just polish a turd and charge 30 more dollars.
 
#13
Re: Project "Budget Tactical"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: OFIS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Not to speak out of turn, but isn't there a reason 99% of people shooting with a built in slope have it built into the base?</div></div>

It's because a canted base is a stronger more repeatable system. There is less to fail or to screw up on assembly.

However if I was looking for the "best" then "budget" would not be part of the equation. I would just go with Badger or Seekins.

I am looking for something that is clean, simple and repeatable.

Taking into account how I go about things I may look at a Seekins base and TPS rings. When I mount a base to a rifle, it usually stays there permanently. I don't glue them together, but I do bed them in.

The TPS rings are not expensive and would not represent a serious cash loss if they needed to be upgraded when going to more expensive larger tube optics.
 
#16
Re: Project "Budget Tactical"

Egw hd 20moa bases on 2 rem 700 .308s. One has burris x rings lapped the other I'm tryin something different. Used burris zee steel low rings and used 3 of them instead of 2. Also have this set up on a muzzle loader and it's working great so far.
Customer service at egw is why I'm a repeat customer.
Why 3 rings? It seems better than 2 I guess and I'm. Not big on having 2 screws per ring clamping my scope in but never had a problem with it. This is the best pic I have showing the 3 ring set up; 2 in front 1 in rear.
IMG_20101124_145723.jpg
 
#17
Re: Project "Budget Tactical"

I had a Warne base on my 700, and I didn't think it was a big quality concession over a Badger or something like that. $95 vs $155 or so, it's significant savings.

Here's what I would do if I were looking for a budget built- scour the FS forum here, you can save a ton of money on lightly used stuff.
 
#19
Re: Project "Budget Tactical"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bm11</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here's what I would do if I were looking for a budget built- scour the FS forum here, you can save a ton of money on lightly used stuff. </div></div>

The problem is I am trying to do a build that someone else can follow. I have enough junk around here to lash up another rifle as soon as it comes through the door. That doesn't much help a new shooter reading the article.

I have a set of Leupold rings and bases here that would allow me to fit my MST-100 (that is currently sitting in a box) on the incoming rifle. That would definitely not benefit a new shooter since the MST alone is worth several times what the rifle is IF you can find one for sale.
 
#20
Re: Project "Budget Tactical"

Weaver makes a pretty nice looking one piece base, made in the USA. About 40 bucks, available with 0 or 20 moa cant.

They also make a variety of tactical rings, though they look to be on the large side.
 
#21
Re: Project "Budget Tactical"

I can't wait to see your final writeup, I built a Savage .308 for under a grand that consistently shoots around 3/4". I'll be interested to see how you get there.
 
#24
Re: Project "Budget Tactical"

i prefer the warne permanent attach rings. i cant imagine one needing anything more robust. the rings are vertically split and i have NEVER had them leave any ring marks on a scope. i have also used warne two piece weaver type bases with fine results. the 30mm warne rings are generally $32.99 at midway. if this is truly a "budget" build and not a "let me show everyone in the shooting community what my status is" build, you will be perfectly happy and well served with the warne.

chuck
 
#25
Re: Project "Budget Tactical"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bm11</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here's what I would do if I were looking for a budget built- scour the FS forum here, you can save a ton of money on lightly used stuff. </div></div>

The problem is I am trying to do a build that someone else can follow. I have enough junk around here to lash up another rifle as soon as it comes through the door. That doesn't much help a new shooter reading the article.

I have a set of Leupold rings and bases here that would allow me to fit my MST-100 (that is currently sitting in a box) on the incoming rifle. That would definitely not benefit a new shooter since the MST alone is worth several times what the rifle is IF you can find one for sale. </div></div>Gotcha, I follow you now.
 
#26
Re: Project "Budget Tactical"

You know me, I like the Tasco 6-24x42 MilDot Varmint/Target scope VAR624X42M. 15yd to infinity focus, 75MOA of adjustment, covered 1/4MOA target knobs. No frills, just the necessary stuff, and roughly $80 a pop. Mildly dimmer at full mag and in low light, I know it almost sounds like blasphemy, but heck, mine (4 of 'em) just take the lickin' (admittedly, I don't abuse them) and keep on tickin' for about five years now.

Greg
 
#27
Re: Project "Budget Tactical"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: OFIS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Not to speak out of turn, but isn't there a reason 99% of people shooting with a built in slope have it built into the base?

</div></div>

There is nothing wrong with the Burris Signature system. I used the inserts for cant on my first long range rifle build specifically because I was budget limited at the time. That gun has spent several years on tough mountain hunts with no ill effects.

If you can't handle mounting a scope correctly with them you have larger issues.

I have canted bases on other rifles and like them too. But unless you are going to abuse your rifle to the point of being an idiot you would never notice the difference.
 
#28
Re: Project "Budget Tactical"

I use the Farrel 20MOA base, custom bedded to put the 100yd zero about 5MOA off the bottom end of the elevation adjustment range. Burris Signature rings, too; but mainly to get the horizontal right. The base and bedding probably come in somewhere around 30-35MOA, total.

So why all the slope? Well, for a coupla reasons.

First off, any elevation adjustment that works out to shorter than my minimum zero distance is, simply, a waste.

Then, getting the 1000yd zero lower, pretty much into the midrange of the elevation limits, allows the internal mechanism to provide the maximum windage adjustment possible, way out yonder where I'm most likely to need some. At the other end, keeping the minimum near, but off, the limit, also keeps the windage from being completely bound up. True, there won't be a huge bunch of windage adjustment available, but then, at the shortest distances, less is needed. The use of the Burris rings assures that whatever there is, it's evenly distributed left and right.

Yeah, maybe I'm crazy; but at least I'm giving it some thought while I'm at it.

Greg
 
#29
Re: Project "Budget Tactical"

LW,
I will add a vote for the new Weaver 20moa picatinny rail.

They are <$40 and the one 1 have fits nicely, is well finished, has a recoil lug, and they are easy to find.

I can't say on the rings b/c all I use are Seekins.
 
#30
Re: Project "Budget Tactical"

I've got one scope on one rifle, I've had others in the past but my experimental budget is slim/none. Hence my lack of experience with the Burris shims.

With the beginner shooter in mind, wouldn't the similar lack of experience hurt them with (what I can only assume) precise alignment of a critical element?

Granted, $300 for Badger rings/base is not palatable to beginners on a budget, but spending a little more for something that will have the least opportunity for Murphy's law to reveal itself in mere assembly I can only see as a benefit.
 
#31
Re: Project "Budget Tactical"

+1 on the warne rings mentioned above. They are excellent for the price, a little bit of a pain compared to top screw rings to mount, but great rings overall. I have used them on rifles from 17hmr to 300wsm with no problems.
with the money saved, you could get a better 20moa base than the standard egw, still under $150 most likely.
I think the warne and tps 20 moa bases are under $100.
 
#32
Re: Project "Budget Tactical"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MTETM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">They are <$40 and the one 1 have fits nicely, is well finished, has a recoil lug, and they are easy to find.
</div></div>

I was not aware that the Weaver base has a recoil lug. In all the pics I have seen, they appear to be flat on the bottom. If it does indeed have a lug to engage the loading port on the receiver, then that would put the Weaver 20MOA in the lead for the project.
 
#33
Re: Project "Budget Tactical"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MTETM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">They are <$40 and the one 1 have fits nicely, is well finished, has a recoil lug, and they are easy to find.
</div></div>

I was not aware that the Weaver base has a recoil lug. In all the pics I have seen, they appear to be flat on the bottom. If it does indeed have a lug to engage the loading port on the receiver, then that would put the Weaver 20MOA in the lead for the project.</div></div>

I believe there is a thread about the base in the optics or equipment section that has a picture of it. If you want, I can post a picture of it this evening.

Here is the thread: http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2146855
 
#34
Re: Project "Budget Tactical"

I went through this same process. I currently run the TPS 30mm rings and 20 MOA base on my SPS AAC. I realize these are on the upper end of the "budget" category but I felt the quality and features were in line with my requirements and were significantly less expensive than a comparable badger ect. set-up. I have had no issues whatsoever and and completely pleased with the product. They easily available from TPS directly but I ordered mine from SWFA.
 
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