SSK TSOB bases

[raif]

I just purchased a Gary Reeder Encore Barrel with SSK Tsob base. Where can I buy rings to fit? thanks

[cnTndr85]

You can get em right from SSK, or you can go to Wal-Mart and buy the Leupold Rifleman vertically split rings for about $12/pr and I think Midway and maybe Midsouth has vertically split rings from Millett......the Burris Zee-rings will work but you need to spread em out a bit and you have to be carelull not to go too far or you'll break em.  I forgot about the Warne and T/C Maxima rings, they are pricey but they will work well also.

Whatever you do dont call Reeder and ask him.....he doesn't like the T'sob mount and he'll let you know it!

Mark

[swampthing]

They are "weaver style." Your choice.

[MS Hitman]

I second the Leupold Rifleman scope rings.  Just put three on a T'SOB base on a SSK .45-70 barrel.

[irold]

Are the SSK rings any different than other vertically split ring ?  I also have a encore barrel with a TSOB base, have tried many rings, so far the scope slides in everything.  I've sheared screws, twisted standard weaver rings, etc ,etc.....the three ring Redfield mount was the best, at least it took almost 40 rounds before it started to slide.    Sorry to jump into your thread, Raif....Thanks, Mike

[Ladobe]

Are the SSK rings any different than other vertically split ring ? 

In a word, yes.   JD's TSOB rings are aluminum verses the steel/cast in most of the other brands of rings.   JD believes that on heavy recoiling pistols the inertia is not passed on to the scope as much with the lighter rings as it is with the steel rings.   

Personally I don't like the TSOB rings, but mainly because they are not high enough to mount large objective scopes on his barrels with full length vent-rib TSOB bases.   Not sure how many versions of these rings he has made, but I've had several of two different style rings from him, and the above was true for both styles.     I've had a bunch of his handcannon barrels over the years (including 4 of his 375JDJ barrels), and never had any problems using steel Weaver type bases/rings even on the big boomers.    FWIW, the bigger boomers need at least 3 if not 4 rings, which the TSOB base is designed to accommodate.   Unfortunately, the list of pistol scopes that will stand up to the pounding of the big boomers continues to shrink as more and more scope models are dropped though.

[Ken ONeill]

Over the last 20 years, I've used many 3 and 4 ring set ups on heavy recoiling handguns with T'SOB and similar Weaver-style bases. I've NEVER had a Leupold, Burris or Bushnell 3200 scope break or slide yet. The SSK screws may be stronger, but functionally, I've had the same satisfactory results using SSK, Leupold, or American ( before Leupold acquired them) vertically split rings. Definitely use 3, and don't be afraid to use 4 rings, and TIGHTEN those screws on the .45-70, .375 JDJ, .454, .475 L, .500 and similar boomers. With the Leupold and old American, I use the Medium height, but none of my guns utilize full length ribs. When the scope I'm using and the base lend themselves to it (a Bushnell 3200 and a T'SOB on a Contender, for example), I use a lot of 4 ring set-ups.
My own experience with 2 ring conventional set-ups of any flavor was mostly unsatisfactory above the .44 Mag level when it came to scope rotation and sometimes, fore and aft movement.

[irold]

Good info, My setup consists of a regular 6 screw TSOB base with Weaver rings (2) on a 12" 460 encore barrel . The rings slide apart in the hook or groove under recoil, they're as tight as I dare tighten them. Seems like the vertical split may eliminate that problem...along with the third ring.  I'll give it a try, you suggest the Leo rifleman rings ??   Thank You ,  Mike

[cnTndr85]

you suggest the Leo rifleman rings ??   Thank You ,  Mike

Yep, thats what I'd get, another thing that I do on mine is to place a strip of adhesive backed paper (Burris supplies "friction tape/paper" with their rings) on the inside of my rings, I just trim file folder lables to fit and that solved any sliding problem I've ever had, some guys use contact cement or masking tape but the file folder lables work great and a bucks worth will last forever.

Mark

[irold]

Thanks , Mark ,  I'll give it a try..............Mike