In my experience the AeroPrecision mounts can mark the scope tube even when carefully tightened per directions.
I had one of the first QD Midwest mounts that came out and had trouble with the QD system. Mine might have been a fluke, but I like the ADM much better.
GGG is OK but their QD clamp isn’t the best and they are pricey for what you get. Fit and finish seems to trail ADM, Larue and Bobro.
Leupold makes several grades of mount. The lower priced Mark 2 has sharp edges.
Vortex doesn’t make any mounts, they re-badge others. At times their re-badged mounts have included Seekins, ADM, and generic Chinese iffy stuff. Just buy the name-brand unless the Vortex happens to be cheaper and you are 100% certain who made it.
Spuhr, which is Swedish, is ungodly expensive but in terms of quality is the only exception I’d make to buy US. They are at least as good as any US mount, if you want their specific features.
The Aero Precision SPR mount is lightweight, (relatively) inexpensive, and low profile. I can’t say how durable it is. It doesn’t look or feel particularly robust, but likely good enough for my hunting 6.8x43.
The Bobro Q/D mount is heavy, (relatively) expensive, and not particularly low profile. It looks and feels very robust. I have one mounted on a KAC SR15 that I consider a “serious use” rifle.
Depends on what your goals and parameters are, I suppose.
They seem to be plenty durable. I have three, all SPR length. One is on a hard use rifle, one is on my truck gun that realistically gets beat up more than my hard use gun, and one on a rimfire range toy. They have all held up to many hard knocks and general abuse without any issues. Frank Proctor is actually the one who originally turned me on to them, and if they’re good enough for him…
My one and only complaint is a minor one, and that is they can be a pain in the butt to level the scope in properly.
I’d pay an extra $50 for an Aero scope mount with standard 4 bolt split rings. That hinge design is a pain to level a scope in and get the correct bolt torque. And the hinge is the standard failure point I’ve seen from people using too much torque when mounting a scope.
Won’t get any arguments from me there, I hope they do make that a reality.
Now on the subject of new or hypothetical ultralight mounts, I know that Scalarworks is coming out with a series of scope mounts soon. Without a doubt, they will be amazing.
I hope they’re still on track for the stated timeline, I’m really looking forward to one. I asked if they’d be releasing in 1.93" and was told their plan was to make a riser that would work for any of their optics. Sounds cool, but it seemed very conceptual unfortunately.
I disagree. The Aero mount is pretty high quality. It has recoil lugs, great lock up, and IMHO, it’s a great design and doesn’t give up much to some of the higher dollar mounts. If they updated it with true split rings instead of the hinged design, it’d be about perfect. And yes, I do have higher dollar scope mounts to compare to.
I think a lot of the scope mounts out there are overpriced.
I agree that Aero mounts are in a playing field where quality far surpasses their sale price, but others being overpriced in comparison is a moot point because most of these companies have been around for a good while and obviously sell sufficient quantities at their respective price points to remain in business. They’re not trying to push Walmart-like product volumes, nor are they competing to be the low cost leader. I think Aero is, on the other hand, trying to position themselves as the go-to manufacturer for quality yet affordably priced ARs and accessories, which they are doing very well at.
I like the ADM that holds SWFA 1-6 but I want something with horizontally split rings, not the vertically split rings that ADM has. other than Bobro, who does an affordable horizontal split mount?
I’m not against using something non-QD, like separate rings…
thanks, that Delta mount looks beefy. it’s about the same price as the single lever Bobro but 1.5oz heavier. it looks like it could handle more scope weight but I don’t worry about the Bobro that I already have.
I have been looking at that Warne mount but I don’t know what type of reputation it has. I can see using it for a light scope on a 5.56 but wonder if it’s up to the weight of a 25oz scope on a 308…
I have two of the ADM Delta 30mm with no forward extension. It’s an extremely sturdy mount. I haven’t tested it to destruction but I imagine it standing up to any realistic abuse. I think I read that they were designed for use with the SCAR Mk17, but I could be wrong on that.
I have several of the Warne gen2 mounts in use also, both 30mm and 1" sized. It is also an extremely sturdy mount, with no apparent weaknesses. It also has a considerable forward extension of 2"+, but is not clumsy on setups that don’t require that much extension (unlike many of the QD super-extended mounts). If you don’t need QD it’s a great mount, US-made, at a very low price. I wouldn’t hesitate to use it on a .308 with a 25-30oz scope.