Q&A: What type of scope mount is best for stalking?

Q:
I was thinking about using a single-piece mount on my rifle to retain better accuracy and make it more secure for arduous stalking trips. Any recommendations?

A:
Chris says: On a sporting rifle I’m not really a fan of one-piece scope mounts. The largest part of the scope body, the saddle (carrying the elevation, windage and parallax or illumination dials), still has to remain clear of the mount and rifle. Because a one-piece mount must have both rings as part of an extra ‘chassis’, it invariably adds unwanted height to the overall scope mounting solution, which is rarely needed and often contrary to a good cheek/head position on the stock.

One-piece mounts are ideal for larger tactical rifles with long Picatinny rails, as you generally need a high mount to keep the objective lens’s body clear of the rail on top, not just the regular barrel reinforce area, which is normally lower on a sporter that does not carry a shrouded barrel or extended tubular forend. One-piece mounts, without a Picatinny rail, are often very restrictive over linear position too, requiring the scope in pretty much fi xed position with the whole mount positioned correctly on a long rail.

A sporter, even with a one-piece add-on Picatinny rail, is rarely significantly longer than the mount itself and you are likely to find yourself restricted for correct eye relief. High quality, correctly fitted two-piece mounts rarely ever give problems. Keeping the scope lower down, close to the action and barrel, is nearly always beneficial, even with an adjustable cheekpiece.

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