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Author Topic: Sturdier scope base for Contender  (Read 1289 times)

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Offline Quarryman

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Sturdier scope base for Contender
« on: September 05, 2012, 04:53:16 PM »
Hi Folks...

Need something sturdier than the default Weaver aluminum scope base for my Contenders in .357 Max, .223, and .44M. The grooves on the base are getting deformed from recoil and eventually they won't stabilize the scope.

Does anybody know of a similar base that's made of steel? Any other recommendations for a good dependable base? Also, I wonder about the teeny little screws that secure the base. Has anyone had the recesses re-tapped for larger screws?

TIA for any info...

Quarryman
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Offline Ranger99

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Re: Sturdier scope base for Contender
« Reply #1 on: September 05, 2012, 05:08:12 PM »
have old-timey leupold bases and
rings on all mine that have scopes,
from .22 lr to .444 marlin


de-greased with acetone- beads of loctite
between base and barrel- loctite screws-
loctite on barrel of scope and rings


no problems
(yet)
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Offline Bigeasy

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Re: Sturdier scope base for Contender
« Reply #2 on: September 05, 2012, 05:54:23 PM »
A Google search will find various makers of steel Weaver type bases for T/C's.  My personal experience has been aluminum bases work well on heavy kicking weapons, if the rings fit properly.  That the base cuts are being damaged sounds to me like the rings are a poor fit, allowing them to move around, acting like a battering ram on the base cuts.
 
Larry
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Offline Ladobe

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Re: Sturdier scope base for Contender
« Reply #3 on: September 06, 2012, 10:27:30 AM »
+1 to Larry's comments.
 
Sounds like you used steel rings that didn't exactly fit the aluminum bases, or were loose.   Mainly because none of your barrels need anything special, they are not handcannon class cartridges.  They don't need larger base mounting screws, or 6 screw bases.   But what you use to mount your scopes on them does need to be designed to work together properly, fit each other properly, and be installed correctly.  Aluminum bases are fine for these barrels. 
 
That said they are best used with aluminum rings as well IMO.  Something I learned over 40 years ago from JD Jones who makes true handcannon barrels for Contenders (and Encores), and aluminum bases/rings for them.   They worked just fine on my meanest Contenders from him and a couple of other custom barrel makers.   And they did take a lot of the strain off the scopes.   
 
But I used steel bases and rings far more often on them and my Encores, some with 6 screw steel bases and up to 4 steel rings on the real cannons.   Also meant the scopes used had to be only those few that could take the full recoil though as the steel bases/rings transfered it to the scopes more than aluminum sets do.
 
L.
 
 
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Offline Bullseye

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Re: Sturdier scope base for Contender
« Reply #4 on: September 06, 2012, 11:32:44 AM »
I am fond of the Leupold Dual Dovetail rings and base on my Contenders.
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Offline tred1956

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Re: Sturdier scope base for Contender
« Reply #5 on: September 06, 2012, 01:10:17 PM »
I use Bullberry weaver style bases and Burris signature rings on all of mine. Never had a problem.
Safe shooting
Doug
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Offline 1puckaway

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Re: Sturdier scope base for Contender
« Reply #6 on: September 06, 2012, 02:35:38 PM »
I do belive I put 20 25 rounds of 30-30 through my contender and the scope ring tie down broke on rear mount and the picatinny mount humps striped flat.Redfield three rings to look cool problem solved.
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Offline Grumulkin

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Re: Sturdier scope base for Contender
« Reply #7 on: September 07, 2012, 02:39:27 AM »
Quote from: Quarryman on September 05, 2012, 04:53:16 PM
Hi Folks...

Need something sturdier than the default Weaver aluminum scope base for my Contenders in .357 Max, .223, and .44M. The grooves on the base are getting deformed from recoil and eventually they won't stabilize the scope.

Does anybody know of a similar base that's made of steel? Any other recommendations for a good dependable base? Also, I wonder about the teeny little screws that secure the base. Has anyone had the recesses re-tapped for larger screws?

TIA for any info...

Quarryman


First of all, you could have the barrel drilled and taped for larger screws but that isn't necessary.


I got rid of all my aluminum Weaver scope bases in part because of a similar problem to what you described.  The rings/bases I've used on T/C firearms with no problem are:


1.  For heavy recoiling handguns, I use SSK Industries' T'SOB rings/base with 4 rings or Control base/rings.  Regarding the Control base/rings; they're probably the best looking ones out there and they hold the scope securely (even on a 444 Marlin handgun) but are a REAL PAIN to install so unless you're mechanically inclined and like to fiddle, I wouldn't recommend them.


2.  For rifles, I use Warne steel bases with their QD rings.  That way I can switch scopes easily between my various Encore and Contender barrels thus decreasing my scope inventory.  I've never used them on a handgun but think they would work fine on those with lower recoil like a 223.
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Offline sirsloop

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Re: Sturdier scope base for Contender
« Reply #8 on: September 07, 2012, 10:36:48 AM »
I just sent my .500 S&W encore barrel out to SSK to get a 6 screw TSOB installed.  We'll see if it works out.  Based on user reviews and claims on the site of them NEVER failing on a .500, I'm a little optimistic.  Of course then I'll probably be back to breaking glass on my Leupold scope  :o
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Offline Grumulkin

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Re: Sturdier scope base for Contender
« Reply #9 on: September 07, 2012, 02:03:21 PM »
That's what I did on my Encore 500 S&W Magnum and the T'SOB rings/base have held up well.  It wouldn't surprise me if your scope breaks at some point but at least Leupold will fix it.
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Offline sirsloop

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Re: Sturdier scope base for Contender
« Reply #10 on: September 07, 2012, 05:22:37 PM »
I already broke a red dot, and the leupold M8 once  ;D ;D ;D
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Offline singleshot1

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Re: Sturdier scope base for Contender
« Reply #11 on: September 09, 2012, 08:44:46 PM »
I like the warne maxima bases and rings, all steel, never had any problems.
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