Rifle Scopes scope base recoil lug a necessity?

scudzuki

Gunny Sergeant
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Minuteman
Jul 1, 2012
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I am putting together my first bolt gun.

I have a Remington 700 chambered in .308 Win on its way, and plan to put my S&B PMII 5-25 on it, which is already sitting in a Spuhr 13 mil mount.

I already bought a flat picatinny rail for the 700, and didn't realize until after I bought it that some bases come with recoil lugs and some, like the one I bought, do not.

Can I get away without it?
I can open up the screws to #8s on the rail and the receiver if that will help (the rail came with #6s and I assume the stock receiver is, too).

Joe
 
Re: scope base recoil lug a necessity?

It's a .308, NO.

Think about it, for over 25 years (actually more) large punishing recoil calibers have been just fine with normal mounts of the various configurations. Now all of a sudden some are running around like the sky is falling because their picatinny doesn't have another chunk of metal on it???
 
Re: scope base recoil lug a necessity?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: scudzuki</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nevermind I'm just going to add dowel pins.Joe </div></div>

That's not necessary. Rather than changing your base/receiver holes, adding pins, etc. just epoxy bed your base. It's always good to bed the base anyway. If you don't know how to do it go to Murphy Precision's website and use the good instructions there (or just search here, Google, etc.)

Some people use release agents such as shoe polish so if/when they decide to change bases down the road you can pop it off without damaging the actions finish.
 
Re: scope base recoil lug a necessity?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MSG Jano</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It's a .308, NO.

Think about it, for over 25 years (actually more) large punishing recoil calibers have been just fine with normal mounts of the various configurations. Now all of a sudden some are running around like the sky is falling because their picatinny doesn't have another chunk of metal on it??? </div></div>

This..
 
Re: scope base recoil lug a necessity?

I have several 308’s, two approaching 2k round counts, only one happens to have a lugged base. I have not had any issue with the base coming loose using the base manufactures recommended torque on the base screws with the non-lugged bases.
 
Re: scope base recoil lug a necessity?

I would think that the reasoning behind lugging a base is only because in recent years, more than ever, scopes are heavier than in past decades, and people see fit to put all sorts of stuff on these rails.

S&B 5-25 is no pussy cat, I'd think 8-40 screws or 8-40's and recoil pins/lug would be just fine. I wouldn't be happy with 6-40's alone though.
 
Re: scope base recoil lug a necessity?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EXTREMEPREJUDICE</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: scudzuki</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nevermind I'm just going to add dowel pins.Joe </div></div>

That's not necessary. Rather than changing your base/receiver holes, adding pins, etc. just epoxy bed your base. It's always good to bed the base anyway. If you don't know how to do it go to Murphy Precision's website and use the good instructions there (or just search here, Google, etc.)

Some people use release agents such as shoe polish so if/when they decide to change bases down the road you can pop it off without damaging the actions finish.

</div></div>

Ordered the Devcon steel putty and shoe polish 3 days ago.
I'm still going to pin the rail.

Joe
 
Re: scope base recoil lug a necessity?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MSG Jano</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It's a .308, NO.

Think about it, for over 25 years (actually more) large punishing recoil calibers have been just fine with normal mounts of the various configurations. Now all of a sudden some are running around like the sky is falling because their picatinny doesn't have another chunk of metal on it??? </div></div>

I have thought about it, and it's simple physics. I considered the 2 plus pound scope I'm clamping to the rail. I also considered the puny machine screws with limited thread engagement.

Joe