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Rem 700 - 2 piece base - 20 MOA or not?

5064 Views 13 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  PandM
I've opted for 2 piece Picatinny style bases on a Remington 700 scope install.
Haven't settled on rings yet, but am close. I'm thinking steel rather than aluminum. Scope has 30mm tube.
About half of what I read says 20 MOA cant is recommended for the bases.
This rifle is going to be a range lizard so in real life, it is rarely going to be used farther out than 200 yards.
Is the 20 MOA necessary in this application?
Anyone have any knowledge on this?
Thanks.
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200 no, 300 + yes
A one piece Steel base would be stronger. Take a look at Badger Ordinance, Nightforce or Iron Brigade Armory. For 200 yd. shooting you don't need the 20MOA built in, but if you ever get the chance to shoot farther, you will not be able to maximize the full travel of scope adjustments. MHO.
wreckhog said:
What caliber?
.308.

I have a bunch of so so optics but will be mounting something nicer on this and really want to do it right.
I've again, read too much for my own good.
I've also thought of beating the bushes a bit looking for a local smith who really and truly knows his poo and will do an outstanding job. You know, leveling the reticle perfectly, etc.
My knowledge of scope mounting is pretty limited, but from what I'm seeing and thinking, the one piece is somewhat better but in the way of loading and extraction more. I think for this one, the 2 piece is going to be OK.
Colt 700 said:
A one piece Steel base would be stronger. Take a look at Badger Ordinance, Nightforce or Iron Brigade Armory. For 200 yd. shooting you don't need the 20MOA built in, but if you ever get the chance to shoot farther, you will not be able to maximize the full travel of scope adjustments. MHO.
But will I be doing myself a diservice by using the 20MOA for max 200 yard range use?
I guess what I'm asking is, even though they are not necessary, is there a down side to using them?
Will I be impacting my elevation adjustment capabilities to the point where it'll matter?
Sorry if it's a dumb question.
I was interested in this thread. I spent a few hours looking at forums dedicated to long range shooting and it seems to be the consensus that the extra 20 MOA will not hurt at shorter ranges. Forum posts are not always accurate but this was the overwhelming nature of what I read on various forums.

I just picked up a new scope with up to 36X magnifification for use at Calverton on a Remmy 700 in 308. I am looking at some of the issues you mentioned. I am pretty confident that I will go with a one piece steel rail (extra 20 MOA) and good rings. I am hopinig to get out of state for some longer range shooting. Right now I think Ken Farrell hardware all around (http://www.kenfarrell.com/0030MM-STD.html). Who knows, Badger may still win out.

I currently have cheap Vanguard rings (no rail) on a Leupold Mark 2 4-12 X 40. Rings are OK but I think rail and rings are the way to go. BTW that scope was a great buy. 1" inch tube but has suited me as well as a Mark 4 would have for my needs. The scope is a keeper.

Good luck.
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My suspicion is that this a waste of money.
aturi said:
I was interested in this thread. I spent a few hours looking at forums dedicated to long range shooting and it seems to be the consensus that the extra 20 MOA will not hurt at shorter ranges. Forum posts are not always accurate but this was the overwhelming nature of what I read on various forums.

I just picked up a new scope with up to 36X magnifification for use at Calverton on a Remmy 700 in 308. I am looking at some of the issues you mentioned. I am pretty confident that I will go with a one piece steel rail (extra 20 MOA) and good rings. I am hopinig to get out of state for some longer range shooting. Right now I think Ken Farrell hardware all around (http://www.kenfarrell.com/0030MM-STD.html). Who knows, Badger may still win out.

I currently have cheap Vanguard rings (no rail) on a Leupold Mark 2 4-12 X 40. Rings are OK but I think rail and rings are the way to go. BTW that scope was a great buy. 1" inch tube but has suited me as well as a Mark 4 would have for my needs. The scope is a keeper.

Good luck.
I appreciate the obcession and reading too many forums and opinions.
There doesn't seem to be hard facts though. Only opinions.
And while others opinions are generally the best source of real life info, I'm still looking around trying to settle based on facts.
I was looking at Badger, Warne, Nightforce and I almost had to slap myself out of it.
I'm thinking prety much Leupold stadbard rings at this point, giving up on the Picatinny necessity.
The reason i was leaning Picatinny was these Vortex rings, that are rediculously priced.
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-precision-matched-rings-30mm-riflescope-medium-height

my head is spinning as I've been reading for two days.
i need a breather.
Please post what you eventually set up you eventually go with and tell us what you think.  I hope you make the right decision for your needs.  Funny thing is that most of us don't need the bells and whistles but we want to know that we have them.  If you go with the additional 20 MOA and you see that it poses issues at short yardage please let us know.  I'm going to see if I can find a momre definintive answer that is from a credible source.  
Initially I wanted a weaver rail and rings to mount a lower end Leupold to my 700 in 30-06. I ended up getting this:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001IK7X24/ref=asc_df_B001IK7X241267540?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=nextag-sg-delta-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B001IK7X24

Its price and aluminum construction had me a bit nervous, but I really liked the one piece ring and base design so I took a chance. I bought the mid height 1" diameter long action model for my rifle. I torqued everything to spec very carefully and used locktite. I've put hundreds of rounds through the rifle and nothing has moved. It even took the impact of my cousins eye socket and the zero didnt move at all (should have seen it, lots of blood everywhere, had to wipe down the scope and stock). As for the 20 MOA cant, I didnt end up getting that setup. I do believe it was available, but my research at the time told me that i wouldn't take advantage of that option unless shooting out much further than any range I would be willing to drive to. If I remember correctly I also came to the conclusion that it wouldn't affect short range shooting either. Essentially, you just start out with your point of impact 20MOA high and adjust the elevation from there when you zero. I decided to keep it simple to start and that if I ever had the opportunity to learn to shoot at long ranges then I would spend the money on a different scope and mounting system at that point.
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A 20 deg base is really for long range shooting 800 +. Its a matter of choice. I would really go with a 1 pc base. It is stronger and there is alot more mounting options. A 1 pc base lets you play with the mounting of your scope placement to get the proper eye relief. Most people are confused about the whole Weaver/ picatiny base issue. They both can use the same rings, the picatiny base has equal space between the slots.
aturi said:
Please post what you eventually set up you eventually go with and tell us what you think. I hope you make the right decision for your needs. Funny thing is that most of us don't need the bells and whistles but we want to know that we have them. If you go with the additional 20 MOA and you see that it poses issues at short yardage please let us know. I'm going to see if I can find a momre definintive answer that is from a credible source.
Wow - old posts never die!
I, after much hand wringing, went with the 2 piece Leupold MK IV bases and MK IV rings.
Been staring at it all winter.
Will be posting a range report once the weather gets warm enough for these old bones to spend enough time with it to make an evaluation.
And for something completely different - One little piece I put on the stick is an Accupod, which is one of the coolest little toys I've found in a long time. http://www.site-secure.biz/accushot/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=30&osCsid=0fa2e73350889742da0860d55d010f1e
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