Rifle scopes & mounting

Rifle scopes & mounting brings together everything you need to put a scope on your rifle: the rifle scope itself, the base on the receiver and the rings that hold the scope on the base. Our rifle scopes come mostly from Vector Optics, with Sightmark and Firefield completing the range. Our rails and rings come mainly from JK-N and CZ in the Czech Republic, Contessa in Italy and Davika.

Three parts of a scope setup

• Rifle scope: chosen by your typical shooting distance. Its main tube diameter decides which rings you need.
• Base: the interface on the rifle. Most often a Picatinny rail screwed to the receiver. Blaser rifles have their own interface on the barrel, and the CZ 457 and CZ 600 have a dovetail on the receiver.
• Rings: they clamp the scope tube and attach it to the base. They must match both the scope and the base.

The three parts depend on each other. Choose the scope first, then the base, then the rings.

Step 1: the rifle scope

Choose the magnification by your typical shooting distance:

• Rifle scopes for short-range shooting: maximum magnification up to 6x, including low power variable optics (LPVO) that start at 1x.
• Rifle scopes for mid-range shooting: maximum magnification from 7x to 12x. Typical for driven hunts and stalking.
• Rifle scopes for long-range shooting: maximum magnification from 15x to 18x, for precise shots at longer distance and on the range.

Two numbers of the scope matter for mounting. The main tube diameter decides the ring size: most of our scopes have a 30 mm tube, some a 1 inch (25.4 mm) tube and a few a 34 mm tube. The objective lens diameter decides the ring height: a scope with a 50 or 56 mm objective needs higher rings than a compact scope. More on magnification, focal plane and turrets is in Rifle scopes.

Step 2: the base on your rifle

A Picatinny rail gives your rifle one standard interface. All Picatinny rings fit it, most Weaver rings fit too, and you can later change the scope without new rings. Each rail is made for a specific rifle model, so check three points before you order:

• Model and action length: many rifles come in a short and a long action, and each needs its own rail. Examples are the Bergara B14, the CZ 550 and CZ 557, and the CZ 600 with short, medium and long upper receivers. For the CZ 457, there are rails for right-handed and left-handed rifles.
• MOA angle: a flat 0 MOA rail is the standard choice for hunting and normal distances. A rail angled at 15 to 35 MOA adds elevation for long-range shooting.
• Extension: if you plan a thermal or night vision device in front of the scope, choose a rail with a forward extension.
• Red dot: a red dot with a Picatinny mount fits the rail directly. See Red dots for rifles.

Our rails by rifle brand:

• Picatinny rails for CZ models: CZ 457, CZ 455, CZ 452, CZ 550, CZ 557, CZ 600 and Brno ZKM rimfire rifles.
• Picatinny rails for Bergara models: Bergara B13 and B14, including 17 mm dovetail rails.
• Picatinny rails for Tikka models, Picatinny rails for Sako models and Picatinny rails for Remington models.
• Rails for Savage, Steyr, Winchester, Sauer, Mauser, Howa, Benelli, Browning and Franchi rifles are in Picatinny rails.

Blaser rifles do not need a rail. You can fit rings for the Blaser interface directly, or use the Picatinny adapters for Blaser base to take Picatinny rings and devices.

Step 3: the scope rings

Rings must match the scope tube exactly and fit the base on your rifle. Choose them by the base first:

• Scope rings for Picatinny base: the widest choice, from separate rings to one-piece and QD mounts.
• Scope rings for Blaser base: rings that fit the Blaser interface directly.
• Scope rings for dovetail base: steel rings from CZ, made by JK-N, for the dovetail of the CZ 457 and CZ 600. No rail needed.

Then pick the diameter of your scope tube in 30mm scope rings, 1 inch scope rings [25.4mm] or 34mm scope rings. For the height, choose the lowest rings at which the objective and the eyepiece do not touch the rifle.

If you switch between a scope and a thermal or night vision device on one rifle, QD mounts let you remove and refit the scope by hand. The Davika QD mounts keep their position when refitted, so the zero stays the same.

Common setups

• CZ 457: dovetail rings straight on the receiver, for 1 inch or 30 mm tubes. Or a Picatinny rail in steel or aluminium plus Picatinny rings. See Dovetail scope rings for CZ 457 and Picatinny rails for CZ 457.
• CZ 600: dovetail rings for your upper receiver size, or a rail for the short, medium or long receiver. See Dovetail scope rings for CZ 600.
• Bergara B14: a rail for the Short Action or Long Action variant plus Picatinny rings. The 17 mm dovetail rails take rings for a 17 mm dovetail instead.
• Blaser: Blaser rings directly on the barrel interface.
• Long-range rifle: a scope for long-range shooting, often with a 34 mm tube, on an angled rail or a mount with a tilt in MOA, so you do not run out of elevation.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to mount a scope on my rifle?

A scope, a base and rings, chosen in this order:

1. Choose the scope and note its main tube diameter and objective diameter.
2. Find the exact model and action length of your rifle and choose the rail, or check if your rifle has a Blaser interface or a CZ dovetail.
3. Choose rings for your base, in the diameter of your scope tube and the lowest height that clears the rifle.

Can I mount the scope myself?

Yes, if your rifle has drilled and tapped holes for a scope base. Most modern bolt-action rifles have them from the factory.

1. Screw the rail to the receiver at the torque on the product page, for most rails 2 to 2.5 Nm. Use threadlocker.
2. Fit the rings and place the scope so you see the full image in a normal shooting position. Check this at the highest magnification.
3. Level the reticle with the rifle, then tighten the ring screws to the torque on the product page. A tilted reticle moves the point of impact sideways at long distance. See Bubble levels for rifle scope.

My rifle has no Picatinny rail. What do I need?

You have two options. Rings that fit the base of your rifle directly, such as dovetail rings for the CZ 457 and CZ 600 or Blaser rings. Or a Picatinny rail for your rifle model plus Picatinny rings.

Do I need a 0 MOA or an angled rail?

Choose 0 MOA for hunting and normal distances. Choose an angled rail if you shoot at long distance and your scope runs out of elevation. With an angled rail, you may not be able to zero at short distance.