Been researching fixed scope mounts for weeks and have it narrowed down to a few: Nightforce, Badger, Geissele, Warne, Aero Precision. Geissele has a pretty good sale going on but still pricey. Are they worth it? Looking to go extended for more eye relief.
I am fully aware Geissele is a great mount, but have read they are hard going on and could chew up my Cerakoted rails. Anyone have experience on this? Not looking to have this happen as I am sure I will be adjusting it to get it right.
I like the Nightforce, but seems to not come in an extended version.
Mostly have decided on a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6 24, on my BCM Reece 16.
Please weigh in as I am still open to insight and suggestions.
IMO putting a $300 dollar scope in a $300 mount could be compared to taking the senior class ho to the prom in a Ferrari. You will be fine with the AP mount.
True, but was thinking if an investment was made in a quality scope mount, it gives me the option to not have to invest again once I move up to a better scope.
Don’t get me wrong… I like the AP mounts but if I were looking for something bomb proof I would get the Geissele but why get a bomb proof mount for a scope that probably isn’t?? Here I go again… Would you put a 10K set of tires and wheels on a Corolla using the logic that one day you may own a Ferrari?
Depending on what your looking for and what you want it to do - do not overlook Bobro Mfg. or LaRue Tactical is also another good option.
I have Warne return to zero base/rings mount (not a rail) for Swarovski scope on a JP Sauer&Sohn European .270. The rest are rail mounts: LaRue mount for an Aimpoint Pro on DD 5.56 M4V1 AR, Bobro 20moa for a Leupold 3-9x40 VXR Patrol on DD 6.8 and Bobro mount for ACOG 3.5x35 on my new build 5.56 AR. I have other rifles & pistols with mounts/rings but the above are the best in terms of fit and ease of on/off - with accurate return to zero. I’d say they were all pretty much equal in their own right and I’ve had no issues with any of the these.
Having said that: the Warne system I bought/shot and hunted with from WI to NM and WY it was mounted seventeen years ago and is flawless but not a rail mount. The Bobro solved an elevation issue the Leupold on a high rail on the DD M4V7. The Bobro for ACOG was the right mount at the right price to replace the original Trijicon two screw mount, at the time. LaRue is a rock solid mount for the APP without a doubt. I would buy each again in a heart beat and have no problem recommending each as well. No affiliation with any company/corp.
Oh, none of the mounts are “cheap” but they all do return to zero - every time!
I’ve never regretted purchasing the nicer option. Especially since it can be used later on other rifles as the quality of gear catches up with it. The wheels on the corolla idea doesn’t hold water for me.
If it were me, I would not spend that kind of money on a top quality mount with the optic choice you’ve mentioned.
If a good quality mount is what you really want/need, by all means don’t settle for anything less or you will regret it for a long time.
Do yourself a favor and wait until you can save for a higher quality scope that will match the quality of the mount holding it.
If you think about it, it really doesn’t make sense to settle for a lesser optic now, basically just to have one, it’s only going to cost more later. It’s actually going to cost you a lot more money going that route. Do it right the first time, save for what you actually want/need, you won’t regret waiting.
I am also interested to see where are you getting information that says a Geissele mount will “chew up” your rail?
That mount should not shift under recoil or fit incorrectly on an in spec. rail to cause any type of damage, or as you say, ‘chew up’ the rail.
If someone is having damage like you claim on their rail, I would be willing to say the problem is not with a precision optic mount, but most likely an out of spec rail.
Any of the high quality optic mounts (Geissele, Bobro, LaRue) should not cause any damage to your firearm.
The Geissele optic mounts will absolutely not chew up or harm your rail in any way. The following is from the Geissele Optic mount instruction manual :
With the rifle well supported, install the scope mount to the Picatinny rail. The clamping interface along with the 4 closely toleranced shear lugs will provide a snug and repeatable connection between the rail and mount. * Due to this close fit*, any finish on the rail slots that add build up, such as paints or ceramic-based coatings, might cause interference. If these finishes are present they may need to be trimmed with a razor blade. Until the final eye-relief is set, the clamping nuts can be tightened by hand.
PaLEOjd, I agree and glad you make this point. I was in Cabelas today and checked out a Strike Eagle, and the eye box was very sensitive. Maybe this comes with the territory of a “budget scope”. I am not taking away from this as when I could see it, the scope was great, reticle was concise, illumination was excellent, and the glass clear. But again, I was in and out of the eye box more than I was expecting, very sensitive.
I have been researching the Vortex Razor HD, Gen2 and this scope is the real deal, and yes it’s $1399. With that comes a forgiving eye box, and a serious scope which you can go run, and be effective with. This makes your point of waiting or getting a quality scope and not having to upgrade later, costing more in the long run. The Razor is worthy of a top quality mount such as Geissele.
Bottom line, I started the thread on non-qd mounts and getting some great information, but I like quality equipment. I want a scope to pair up with my BMC Reece and get after it.
I will try to find where I read a guy was having issue with a Geissele mount tearing up his cerakote. Who knows the cerakote could have been applied thicker than normal. I know Geissele would have had to factor this in at their high level of execution.
I have a Geissele mount for my Trijicon 1-8x. It is an excellent mount and i had no trouble whatsoever putting it on the gun. It’s on a Sionics upper by the way. I agree that it’s likely overkill for a Strike Eagle though. Take a look at Warne one piece mounts. I like them as well. They’re solid and less expensive.
NF now offers an extended Unimount. Badger does not, I believe. I have one (a Badger) and it is very nice. I also have a Aero ultralight and it has held up well so far being used while not abused.
My preferences would be in the following order: Geissele, Nightforce, Badger ordnance, and everything else. Geissele and Nightforce use 7075-T6 aluminum for their mounts instead of the cheaper, less rigid and less strong 6061 T6 aluminum alloy.