Author Topic: SAKO Vixen .222 Scope Mount Issues  (Read 979 times)

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Offline rimfire

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SAKO Vixen .222 Scope Mount Issues
« on: April 29, 2007, 06:20:02 PM »
Mounted scope in Weaver rings on whatever bases my friend has on the rifle.  Scope is canted off to one side so far that closest we can get is about 8" left at 100 yards when the scope is fully adjusted the other way.  Rings are fine as we took them from another rifle.  We are thinking of trying a different base, but are concerned we likely have base mount surface off center.  Suggestions?

I was going to research alternative bases/rings with adjust ability but thought I would ask here first.

Posted same thing on SAKO forum.

Thanks.
Be honest with yourself.  Can you guarantee you would hit a paper plate at 250 yards...100 yards...50 yards?  Then you have no business replacing the plate with a live animal.

Offline iiranger

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SHIMS!!!
« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2007, 06:02:33 AM »
First, I would examine the bases very, very carefully. Not unusual for a 'smith to "fit" the base with a bit of material removal. Now you put them on another gun and you "buy trouble" from the problem of the first gun.

#2).  You can buy "shim stock" at most larger hardware stores, supply houses, etc. (Or salvage an old "feeler guage.") Put a piece under one side of the base and tighten it down. At worst, you might have to come up with some longer screws too. Same sources. Brownells has it, but you shouldn't have to go that far. Or cut pieces from an old beer can. Aluminum. Steel attracts rust.  (Go ahead, get a new one and empty it for the project...) From there it is "trial and error" unless you own some mighty expensive measuring equipment. (Old buddy, retired gunsmith, had a Sweeney bore sighter with an X to look at. Sights on X, bullet hits there too. Amazing...) Sako had their own system and I wondered if they didn't "change" things now and then to get people to use their bases? luck.

Offline rimfire

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Re: SAKO Vixen .222 Scope Mount Issues
« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2007, 06:39:20 AM »
Not sure shims under bases will help me.  Offset is angled left-right, not up-down.  We are going to remove base and look it over tomorrow.
Be honest with yourself.  Can you guarantee you would hit a paper plate at 250 yards...100 yards...50 yards?  Then you have no business replacing the plate with a live animal.

Offline Keith L

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Re: SAKO Vixen .222 Scope Mount Issues
« Reply #3 on: April 30, 2007, 07:51:43 AM »
It sounds like you don't know how the base was installed.  When I mount a scope base the first thing I do is to stone the bottom of the base and the area around the screw holes on the gun to make sure there are no burrs or high spots.  A high spot can give you trouble like you mention.  It also could be a defective base with off center holes, badly located mounting holes in the gun, or even a defective scope.  I am not familiar with that gun, so anything I offer will be a guess.  I did think that Sako had their own mounting system.  Is it possible that Weaver rings are not compatible with the mount? 
"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."  Benjamin Franklin

Offline wncchester

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Re: SAKO Vixen .222 Scope Mount Issues
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2007, 10:05:16 AM »
I know of no "Weaver" type that fits Sako dovetail mounts so you must have one of the few round top Sakos.  If so, get a different set of rings/bases, either Redfield or Leupold with the windage adjustable rear ring mount.  And mount the base carefully, as Keith suggests, including shimming one end up and lapping the rings if needed.  If your rifle and base match it's just chance, most need a bit of tender care but few get it.

That type mounting system will look nicer too.

Common sense is an uncommon virtue