Scope mount for a model 83

[reloading_rich]

I recently hammered out a trade that will bring a Freedom Arms revolver to my stable.  It is a premier grade chambered for 475 Linebaugh.  I am planning on mounting a scope on it as I can't see open sights worth a hill of beans anymore.  My question is which scope mount do you guys prefer?  I see FA sells T'SOB and Lovell mounts and Leupold makes one also.  Do all of these utilize the factory holes or do they need to have the holes drilled and tapped?  I'm not real keen on adding any extra holes to the gun.  I think I am leaning towards the Leupold mount as they have always worked well for me.  Is one of these mounts superior to the others in your opinion?  Thanks in advance for letting me pick your brains on this matter.

[paul105]

Just remove the rear sight from it's mortise in the top strap.  The top strap is already drilled and tapped and each of the three mentioned scope bases are contoured to fit snugly in the rear sight mortise.

I like the TSOB base.  It gives a bit more flexibility positioning the scope and allows the use of multiple rings to help prevent scope flex on the heavier calibers.  I also think it looks better, but that's highly personal.

FWIW,

Paul

[doghawg]

Congrats on the .475 Rich! I'm not doing well with irons anymore either and it's a shame to have such an accurate revolver and not be able to do it justice. Here is a pic that may give you an idea of which way you might want to go. The Mod 83's on top from the left are Lovell, Weigand with  30mm Weigand rings and an UltraDot and Leupold with Leupold rings. I think the Weigand base is out of production now but it is similar to the T'Sob. The 97's wear a Lovell and the .44 spl on the right has the ONeill front sight blade which is a big improvement over a ramp sight for me.
 In my opinion the Lovell is the best looking but as Paul pointed out the T'Sob gives you the most options. The Leupold is the most economical and I've had no problems with it even with full power loads. Hope this helps.

[paul105]

I should have posted some pictures.  Same gun and scope in first 3 pics -- last picture is the smaller frame FA M97.  As Randy indicated the Weigand base is no longer being made.
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M83 w/4x Leupold - Weigand base with Leupold vertical split rings
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M83 w/4x Leupold - Weigand base with Weaver quad lock rings
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M83 w/4x Leupold - FA TSOB base with Weaver quad lock rings
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One last picture -- this is the smaller frame FA M97 in .357 Mag with a 2x Leupold in FA TSOB base with Leupold vertical split rings.
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Paul

[reloading_rich]

I got an email from J.D. Jones this afternoon regarding his T'SOB base and he recommends that the front of his base be screwed down which would require drilling and tapping a hole in  the barrel.  Do you fella's that use the T'SOB base have it screwed down into the barrel like he recommends?

[paul105]

Nope!

First I've heard of that and I'm not even tempted to do it.  I would like to know what this additional screw accomplishes.  I don't see how any movement under recoil can occur with the existing FA mounting system.

Of course JD should know what he's talking about.

FWIW,

Paul

[reloading_rich]

Freedom  uses the existing holes---we think the front end should be screwed down.   JD

Here is his response verbatum.  I am not real crazy with the idea of putting additional holes in MY gun though.  I just wanted to see what all you FA guys are doing.

[doghawg]

 +1 on what Paul said.