How do dovetail scope mounts work

In contrary to them, there are a whole different types of mounts for the same dovetails and rails , which are known as slide on mounts. They are all going to work if installed correctly and they are all suitable for the same dovetails or rails. The main difference between tip or roll off mounts and slide on mounts is the principle of attaching the mounts on the dovetail or rail. Both of the expressions are mainly used for separate rings that can be attached to the dovetails or rails.

This is advantage, because it is possible to remove the rings when the riflescope is already mounted in to them. Roll off mounts are similar, but they are being rolled to the side from the rail or dovetail. This link must be secure enough to handle normal bumps and jostles, but must also be capable of holding tight during violent and repetitive recoil. There are several common types of rail systems available to easily attach accessories.

Understanding the differences will help prevent common mistakes and ensure your optics, laser sights, fore grips, bipods, and other accessories hold firm during shooting. Modern firearms typically integrate some type of rail system into their construction. If not, an aftermarket rail can usually be installed with minimal effort. Rail styles vary between manufacturers and even between specific models.

New shooters are often wary when it comes to asking questions about these rail systems. It is easy for inexperienced shooters to think thinking this is basic firearm knowledge. However, even seasoned shooters may have difficulty explaining the differences. Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to firearms, so for the sake of education, here is a basic explanation of the three most common types of mounting systems.

The dovetail rail gets its name from its trapezoidal shape, which resembles the fanned out tail of a dove. One of the oldest joining systems in history, dovetail joints are common in woodworking, often used to join corners in cabinetry and furniture.

Place a wet towel around the receiver and you can carefully apply heat to the screws with a propane torch to break the bond of the adhesive. The next step is to degrease the screws and the threads in the receiver. Automotive brake cleaner works well, too, and has an additional benefit of being in aerosol form. Compressed air is very useful when mounting scopes, or anytime working on firearms around the home workshop.

Once the base screws are degreased, mount the front and rear bases without thread locker. Remove the front base screw and look down into the threads of the receiver and the tip of the screws to see if the screw has bottomed out on the barrel threads.

If it has, shorten the screw on a bench grinder to make sure there is no contact between the front screws and the barrel extension. Screw the bases down onto the receiver and attach the rings to the base. However, with the dovetail mounting system, attach the top half of the ring of the front set and rotate the ring into the dovetail with a 1-inch piece of wooden dowel rod; a hammer handle works as well. Leupold makes a handy ring wrench for this purpose.

The dovetail system causes the most frequent misalignment issues with regards to the front and rear rings, although you also want to check misalignment with the Mark 4 mounting system. The rear ring is adjustable for windage and you want to get that as centered as possible. When selecting the rings for your particular rifle, always try to get the correct height for your gun. Most scope manufacturers offer low, medium and high rings to accommodate various mounting situations.

Choose the combination that mounts the rings at the lowest possible height. With both rings mounted on the bases, check front to rear ring alignment. Brownells makes a nifty scope ring alignment tool for this task that checks for angular misalignment. Install the scope alignment tool onto the rings and lap them with the lapping compound and plenty of oil until you get about 90 percent contact with the bottom ring.

When lapping the rings in, rotate the tool side to side as you run it front to back. To ensure there is enough clearance that the scope is not touching the barrel in this instance choose the high rings. View the full selection of Hawke Ring Mounts here. We use cookies on this website. You are free to manage these via your browser settings at any time. For more information about how we use cookies, please Contact Us. You can change your selection at any time from the footer. Home Sport How to choose the correct riflescope ring mounts.

How to choose the correct riflescope ring mounts. These are the key important things you need to know to choose the correct riflescope ring mounts. Selecting the correct riflescope ring mounts is a crucial part of setting up your shooting equipment to get the most out of your riflescope. Find out more about the variety of Hawke ring mounts or learn more from the technical team at Hawke on how to mount your riflescope and how to zero your riflescope.