As far as rifle optics go, variable power scopes are more important to long-range enthusiasts than any other optic variant. By design, they provide the sight picture and reticle system necessary for making precise shots of far-off targets, making them indispensable tools for marksmanship. But no matter how useful rifle scopes are, it won’t perform to its fullest capabilities if you aren’t using the right mount.
Rifle Scope mounts come in two flavors: scope rings and scope mounts. Both accomplish the same goal—securing your scope to your rifle—but you may benefit from having one over the other. So, which do you use?
Scope Rings
Rifle scope rings are a mounting device used to secure a rifle scope to rifles and are typically associated with bolt-action rifles, though they can be used on modern rifles like the AR-15 as well. Scope rings have two main parts: the ring cap and ring body. The ring cap is removable, allowing you to place the rifle scope within the rings so it can be secured within the rings itself after tightening the ring cap onto the ring body (the lower half of the ring). The ring body is the part that attaches to the rifle via a base, which is either detachable or integrated into the rifle’s receiver. These bases can vary, with there being several designs, but we’ll touch more on that later.
Generally, scope rings come in sets of two to adequately support the weight of your scope. Depending on the rifle mounting system and optic you are using will determine distancing between each ring. On some bolt-action rifles, your mount spacing will be pre-determined and fixed, like on the Ruger M77, but for rifles like AR-15s or bolt action receivers with picatinny rails, you will be able to position your rings to best suit your needs.
Scope Ring Sizes
To accommodate the vast assortment of scope sizes, scope rings are available in different diameters, corresponding to the scope tube’s size. Some of the more common scope sizes you can expect to see are 1-inch, 30mm, and 34mm, but there are some available that are smaller and some that are much larger.
So long as the rings you choose match with your scope tube’s diameter, you’ll be good to go. For instance, rifle scopes in the SIG Sauer WHISKEY3 and Vortex Optics Crossfire II series both have a 1-inch tube diameter, making them compatible with 1-inch scope rings, making either optic compatible with either 1-inch Vortex scope rings or 1-inch rings from another manufacturer.
Scope Ring Bases
There are multiple ways to attach scope rings to a rifle. Although most modern rifles come with picatinny rail sections, they sometimes require the use of a specific scope ring mounting pattern. For enthusiasts shooting at extreme distances, there are canted bases available in 10- and 20-MOA, with some offering 50-MOA or more. These bases tilt your scope down allowing you to zero higher in your range of elevation travel, making it possible to dial more bullet drop for longer distances.
3/8th and 7mm Dovetail: You’ll often see this mounting style on smaller rimfire rifles and some modern air guns. Dovetail scope mounts get their name from their shape, as it’s functionally like a dovetail woodworking joint. They have a distinct fan shape that the rings slide over and then use to lock into place. Although this is an effective mount, it only works with very light recoiling firearms, so they’re more prolific in the rimfire space.
Weaver Rails: Considered the predecessor to the Picatinny rail system, Weaver rails are a common mounting option for scope rings. Weaver mounting bases feature a series of slots that are like picatinny rails, but narrower and not always evenly spaced. Despite being an older option, weaver rails are still incredibly popular due to their historical use, so it’s quite common to find weaver bases for a multitude of rifles.
Picatinny Rails: Picatinny rails are the most common mounting system for optics nowadays. Like weaver rails, they’re characterized by their use of spaced slots. However, picatinny rails have a standardized design, so there’s much more consistency in fitment and tolerance than with other mounting types. Since picatinny rail scope mounts are so common, you’ll have access to a wide range of mounts and scope rings/bases, with most rifles coming pre-equipped with picatinny rails.
Are Weaver and Picatinny Mounts the Same?
In short, no. Although weaver and picatinny rails look similar, they aren’t identical. Weaver rails utilize narrower mounting slots than picatinny rails. Despite these differences, they can, at times, be interchangeable. Picatinny scope rings won’t fit weaver mounts because of their larger recoil lugs, but since weaver rail slots and mounting bolts are narrower, weaver scope rings are somewhat compatible with picatinny in most cases.
However, the thinner mounting hardware of weaver mounts can lead to some twisting and misalignment when they’re paired with picatinny rails. Due to this, it’s recommended to match weaver rails with weaver mounts, and picatinny with picatinny for the best fitment possible. If you have the choice to use one over the other, we recommend going with picatinny rails. You’ll have more mounting options to choose from, and the standardized design will give you better consistency with mount fitment.
Benefits of Using Scope Rings over Scope Mounts
Scope rings are still a popular scope mounting option despite the popularity and rise of one-piece scope mounts. To start, scope rings can weigh as little as a few ounces, making them ideal for rifle builds that prioritize maneuverability. Additionally, depending on the setup, a two-piece ring set can offer more adjustment for eye relief as you can adjust the position of the rings and scope independently.
Lastly, for bolt-action rifles, dedicated scope rings will often give you a better optic position, getting your scope as close to the barrel as possible without touching, which is incredibly beneficial when shooting at long ranges beyond 1,000 yards. By reducing your optic’s height over bore, the reticle stays more in line with your bullet’s flight path, providing a more accurate sight picture while also giving you more room for adjustment in the process. Also, the closer your scope is to the bore of the rifle, the less impact any slight canting will have on accuracy.
One-Piece Scope Mounts
Whereas scope rings are a two-piece pairing, scope mounts are a one-piece setup that offer a more robust construction and simpler installation at the cost of a low mounting position. The material connecting the two rings gets in the way when trying to mount the scope saddle as low as possible against the receiver. Compared to scope rings, there’s much more variation in these style optic mounts that our guide on buying a scope mount goes more in-depth on. Below is a summary of the different options.
Types of Scope Mounts
Straight and Cantilever Mounts: A straight mount places the optic directly above the mounting surface, while a cantilever mount shifts its placement either farther forward or rearward compared to where it’s mounted. Cantilever mounts are designed for rifles with shorter receivers, as they make it much easier to support proper eye relief by offsetting the scope. On rifles with longer or monolithic rail systems, like the SCAR 17 for example, a straight mount will be just as effective.
Level and Canted Mounts: Canted scope mounts are primarily used in long distance applications where bullet drop is a more significant factor. They have a built-in angle that forces the front of the scope to sit lower than it normally would. By design, these mounts force your zero to sit higher in elevation, giving you much more room to compensate for bullet drop when making shots at extreme distances.
If you are selecting a canted mount, make sure the base you are mounting it to does not already have cant built in. Rifles like the SIG CROSS come from the factory with a 20 MOA rail. Adding a 20 MOA mount to this will make it almost impossible to zero depending on the optic you choose. If you’re looking at Primary Arms scope mounts, options such as our SLx Cantilever 34mm Scope Mount have a 20 MOA cant, so your point of aim will naturally sit 20-MOA lower than usual. Keep in mind that canted mounts aren’t necessary for medium to close range applications. Using one at these ranges would be more of a hinderance, so, if you plan to run a lower power scope, a level scope mount is your best choice.
QD and Direct Attach Mounts: Modern one-piece mounts either use a direct attachment method or come with a QD (quick-detach) mount that allows you to freely remove your optic whenever necessary. QD mounts are useful but tend to be heavier than direct-attach mounts, plus they usually cost more too. If you plan to have one optic for multiple rifles, a QD mount can be good option; just bear in mind that you’ll need to re-zero your optic when mounting it to a new rifle.
Conversely, if you want to pair one optic with one rifle, a direct-attach mount is the better pick. It’ll provide you with rigid stability while also being lighter. If you’re looking for a solid direct attach mount Nightforce Optics scope mounts and the Primary Arms PLx Cantilever mounts are solid choices.
Considerations for Choosing the Best Scope Mount
Choosing the right scope mount primarily comes down to your rifle, as well as your needs and preferences. Each of the mounts mentioned above are designed to fit a specific need, and they each require careful consideration. Your rifle type, the distance you plan on shooting at, and whether you want the ability to quickly remove your optic all play a key role in figuring out which mount is best for you.
Your scope’s size plays a role too. Just like for scope rings, scope mounts are available in a myriad of sizes ranging from 1-inch to 34mm and larger. You can pair just about any optic mount with your optic, so long as it’s the right size. Our guide on choosing a 30mm scope mount goes more in-depth on what to look for.
Advantages of Scope Mounts on Different Rifles
The greatest advantage afforded by scope mounts is their simplicity. Most commonly, these mounts are available for picatinny mounts, making them compatible with a wide range of firearms, and incredibly simple to install. There are also some that are specific to the contours of different bolt action receivers to bypass the need for an additional rail and save some weight. Similarly, since these mounts come in one piece, there’s no guesswork needed in relation to the mount spacing. Once it’s mounted, you can set your scope in the mount and clamp it in place.
Key Differences Between Scope Rings and One-Piece Scope Mounts
Although they’re functionally similar, there are a lot of differences between scope rings and one-piece scope mounts.
Both options are used on a plethora of different rifles, but scope rings simply accommodate more mounting types, for example, select Tikka rifles require you to use Tikka Opti-Lock scope rings or one of their opti-lock mounting bases. While it’s not impossible to find one-piece mounts fitted for weaver or other mounting bases, most of them are made specifically for picatinny rails.
Comparing their weight, scope rings are the clear winner as they’re much smaller and lighter than one-piece mounts. While one-piece mounts tend to run heavier, they offer greater mounting security thanks to their longer construction and greater surface area. For lightweight builds, scope rings are better, but they can’t compete with the security of one-piece mounts.
Lastly, as far as installation is concerned, one-piece mounts are simpler to install. With them, you don’t have to worry about spacing, as the rings are fixed together in a single unit. With scope rings, depending on the platform and mounts, you may need to make some adjustments to find the best mounting position possible.
Conclusion
Both scope rings and scope mounts serve to conduct the same goal, but they each have their unique strengths that make them better suited for different rifle platforms and uses.
For bolt-action rifles, scope rings are the move. They come in multiple configurations for multiple mounting methods, plus they can be incredibly lightweight and affordable. Scope mounts, on other hand, are better suited for platforms that require additional mounting height like the AR-15 or tactical rifles, offering incredible mounting security while being easy to install.
Regardless, both options can serve as an effective scope mounting solution for your rifle. If the option you choose aligns with both your rifle type and intended use, you’ll be good to go. If you’re planning to add an optic to an AR platform rifle, our guide “How to Mount a Scope on an AR-15” will show you the process every step of the way.
