[mac266]

I know the company founder passed away, and his kids are trying to run the business. But the one with whom I exchanged emails doesn't even understand basic firearms terminology.

I emailed, asking some differences between the high and low mounts they offer. I asked whether a cheek pad was necessary with the low mount (I don't care about using the iron sights). She confused the term "cheek pad" with "cheek weld," and referred to cheek pads as "check welds" repeatedly. I had to read this fifteen times to get a basic understanding of what she was trying to say, but none of my questions were answered. Here is what she told me:


"The difference between our high and low mounts, whether standard mount or Picatinny rail mount, is one quarter inch. This difference allows usage of the iron sights on the high mounts.

Check welds, yes low is better. However, whether high or low, I don’t need a check weld, but my sister does. It just a matter of body type.

All objective bells will clear the handguard with high enough rings. The low mount will just need a higher set of rings than the high mounts. I know guys that get the high mount, low enough rings so the bell doesn’t hit the handguard and don’t use the iron sights. They tell me that they think it adds some stability in the act of firing and recoiling to the scope.

I am still learning about rings and scopes. Better people to ask would somewhere where they sell scopes and rings. I have a go-to guy at Cabela’s and a favorite gunsmith. Also www.m14forum.com is a good place to ask. Very smart and experienced set of people there.

Hope this helps.
Bren Bassett"


It's so frustrating. She's trying, but she doesn't get it. I think she should learn to shoot before she tries to carry on her old man's business. I'm trying to be lenient here, but she thinks she answered me, but she didn't. I'm nowhere closer to being ready to make a decision than I was before I emailed her.

ARGH!

Here are my questions:

Hello,

Before I order, I would like to make sure I fully understand the differences between the low and high mounts. For the low mount, I will not be able to use the iron sights; however, I will have a more traditional cheek-to-stock weld, correct? No need for a cheek pad with the low mount?

Secondly, what is the maximum outside diameter objective bell that will clear the stock using the low mount? I believe the web site lists 65mm for the high mount, but I did not see a figure for the low mount.

 

[Capona]

I think she answered your questions.
Most people still use a riser even with the low mount. If you are a large man , with a large head, maybe you won't need a riser. It's a personal preference depending on body type and shooting preference.

She can't answer the second question on bell size because it depends on your ring height, not her mount.

IMHO, don't take it out in her. She did her job.

I know the company founder passed away, and his kids are trying to run the business. But the one with whom I exchanged emails doesn't even understand basic firearms terminology.

I emailed, asking some differences between the high and low mounts they offer. I asked whether a cheek pad was necessary with the low mount (I don't care about using the iron sights). She confused the term "cheek pad" with "cheek weld," and referred to cheek pads as "check welds" repeatedly. I had to read this fifteen times to get a basic understanding of what she was trying to say, but none of my questions were answered. Here is what she told me:


"The difference between our high and low mounts, whether standard mount or Picatinny rail mount, is one quarter inch. This difference allows usage of the iron sights on the high mounts.

Check welds, yes low is better. However, whether high or low, I don’t need a check weld, but my sister does. It just a matter of body type.

All objective bells will clear the handguard with high enough rings. The low mount will just need a higher set of rings than the high mounts. I know guys that get the high mount, low enough rings so the bell doesn’t hit the handguard and don’t use the iron sights. They tell me that they think it adds some stability in the act of firing and recoiling to the scope.

I am still learning about rings and scopes. Better people to ask would somewhere where they sell scopes and rings. I have a go-to guy at Cabela’s and a favorite gunsmith. Also www.m14forum.com is a good place to ask. Very smart and experienced set of people there.

Hope this helps.
Bren Bassett"


It's so frustrating. She's trying, but she doesn't get it. I think she should learn to shoot before she tries to carry on her old man's business. I'm trying to be lenient here, but she thinks she answered me, but she didn't. I'm nowhere closer to being ready to make a decision than I was before I emailed her.

ARGH!

Here are my questions:

Hello,

Before I order, I would like to make sure I fully understand the differences between the low and high mounts. For the low mount, I will not be able to use the iron sights; however, I will have a more traditional cheek-to-stock weld, correct? No need for a cheek pad with the low mount?

Secondly, what is the maximum outside diameter objective bell that will clear the stock using the low mount? I believe the web site lists 65mm for the high mount, but I did not see a figure for the low mount.

 

[4gundrill]

Personally I think you should praise the company for taking the time to write the response at all. Most companies wouldn't take the time or simply don't have the time. Not to mention you only asked her one technical question that she could answer; and she did. The max objective size is based on the ring height you choose. The question regarding cheekweld is not something she can definitively answer as all people are different.

Bassett is an excellent company and they make an excellent mount. If you buy one and are not happy with it they may allow you to exchange it.

Capona- we must have been typing at the same time.

 

[tonyben]

Yes, the nice lady answered your questions. I used a low mount for a long time with a 50mm objective bell and medium rings. And she's right, any scope will work with the proper ring heights. Your scope height will most likely be defined by how high you'll have to get it so that the ocular lens clears the rear sight.

You should get a Bradley cheek rest. You'll most likely benefit from it. Her dad was a Marine and a machinist. He named her Bren after the famous British Bren gun.

She's one of the nicest people you'll ever have the pleasure of talking to.

Tony.

 

[TheShooter]

Take a chill pill.

Hey take it easy on the bassett's those are good people.


Your going to need a cheek riser with the low mount to. Even with low rings. Sorry no getting around that it's just the nature of the M14.

The search function helps to.

 

[Capona]

There is a ring height calculator on the forum somewhere. Do a search for it and it will get you close. other people use pennies. If you are trying to get it as low as possible, it will take some trial and error. on your part. You are concerned about the bell hitting the handguard but you should be equally concerned about the eyepiece hitting the rear sight making it difficult to adjust the eyepiece or use the scope.

Anyway, she answered your questions whether you appreciated the answer or not.

I have the high mount. .875 NF rings. NF NXS3-15 50mm, it just clears the back sight. I'd have a hard time going lower with a 50mm.

 

[WarFace]

I totally agree with Tony on the Bradley cheek rest is the way to go. Don't get frustrated with the good folks at Bassett...that's why we're here. Turn to the forum with those questions and you will surely find your answer!

 

[Lruss]

Hello,

Before I order, I would like to make sure I fully understand the differences between the low and high mounts. For the low mount, I will not be able to use the iron sights; however, I will have a more traditional cheek-to-stock weld, correct? No need for a cheek pad with the low mount?

Secondly, what is the maximum outside diameter objective bell that will clear the stock using the low mount? I believe the web site lists 65mm for the high mount, but I did not see a figure for the low mount.

no you will not be able to use the iron sight's with the low mount...

low mount would be closer to your stock than a high mount. by 1/4"..
the way each person holds there head and there size will affect cheek to
stock weld. so we can not tell you if a cheek pad would be needed with a low mount...

rings come in many sizes from short to extra high. so most any scope on
the market will work with our low and high mount...

thank you for your email sir. and have a great day

Lruss

 

[Em14]

Cheek weld is totally user preference. I used to 'crush-weld' and completely rest my cheek on the stock while precision shooting, thinking that it would be as relaxed as possible and therefore precise...right?

Wrong! This amount of dead weight (big head/no brains) resting on the rifle introduces stress that negatively affects accuracy for a couple reasons I won't bore eveyone to tears with.

When I would lightly rest my cheek on the stock my shot placement consistency and group sizes would improve dramatically.

Anyhow, my point is that now I use my M14 for long range precision instead of the Accuracy International or McMillan A5 stocked super rifles and I don't use a cheek piece at all. The rifle seems to come up to 1/2 way between a cheek and chin weld, and I don't lower or tilt my face at all to achieve proper sight picture through the eyepiece. I prefer the relaxed and natural posture of my face in relation to the rifle while shooting alternate positions, which is about all I do anymore.

Love this method of shooting, and the rifle 'comes up' to perfect placement for me quickly and leads to quick sight pictures. I think Ms. Bassett gave you a great explanation, given the vague question and extremely personal nature of any conceivable response.

 

[Ted Brown]

The idea is to mount the scope as low as reasonable without interfering with functioning. The mount has little to do with this unless it's too high. Scope height is adjusted with the rings. Some very low mounts like the ARMS18 tend to get in the way of brass ejection. The standard for rail height is the Brookfield style made by Sadlak and others.

 

[Powerkicker]

I have the low mount and no riser. It is comfortable for me.

 

[Deek]

Link to How to Calculate Ring Height

There is a ring height calculator on the forum somewhere. Do a search for it and it will get you close. other people use pennies. If you are trying to get it as low as possible, it will take some trial and error. on your part. You are concerned about the bell hitting the handguard but you should be equally concerned about the eyepiece hitting the rear sight making it difficult to adjust the eyepiece or use the scope.

Anyway, she answered your questions whether you appreciated the answer or not.

I have the high mount. .875 NF rings. NF NXS3-15 50mm, it just clears the back sight. I'd have a hard time going lower with a 50mm.

Thanks Capona for the info:

http://m14forum.com/optics/96527-how-calculate-ring-height.html

 

[TheShooter]

This is as low as I could get my bassett mount set up with low rings.

I sold the mount. Wasn't impressed with the groups I got with it.

http://m14forum.com/optics/196627-what-size-rings-use-bassett-scope-mount.html

 

[howardhuges]

And this folks is the trouble with our weapon system...optics. Receiver mounts are the only way to get around this.

 

[Thedutchman]

Relax a bit.
She's correct when she says cheek weld.

The low pic mount with Vortex low rings gives me a chin weld with a Vortex Viper PST.
I went with a TNVC cheek piece to get a proper cheek weld.
There is a bit of room below the objective lens. You could prolly get by with a 40mm Obj lens with a low mount and low rings. you need a good cheek weld to shoot it well though. Get a cheek riser.
It's very rare to get an Owner of a business to exchange correspondence.

 

[High Voltage]

And this folks is the trouble with our weapon system...optics. Receiver mounts are the only way to get around this.

This is why conceptually,I like the idea of an M25, or equivalent. A scope mount as part of the receiver is the only option, unless you are shooting irons, and don't ever plan on a scope.

 

[Instructor]

For me anyway if it were not for the Bassett mount I would not have optics/scope on my LRB and the rail system seems out of place, not traditional so to speak. The Bassett permits you to go with optics if desired and can switch from one to the other in matter of seconds, in short you have the best of both worlds and yet preserve the originality of the M14. As for a cheek rest or attaining a cheek weld spot that varies from shooter to shooter based on physical dimensions of the shooter. With irons for precision shooting it is critical that the head/eye be in the correct spot on the comb for each shot but using a scope it can be more forgiving in that area, but if you have some huge multiple power scope on the rifle sitting up in the stratosphere I would suggest a Bradley strap on type, good to go. You could go the route of a multiple adjustable modern style stock, add bunch of rails, lights, bi pod capable of holding up a truck, etc., etc., but then you will need a gun carrier to tote it around. Simpler the better but to each his own.

 

[High Voltage]

I have spent about $400.00+ on mounts and rings , Hours Bucking with the install, Med rings, low rings, brass hitting the mount. on and on.... I pick up my PA10 with the 3 by 10 Leupold and at 300 yds ding on the 8 inch steel.... Iron is the only way to shoot our platform.

Unless you have a scope mounted on an M25. Other than that, I personally think it's difficult to have a scope.

I love the idea of irons-only though. DI2

 

[JoshN]

I'm sorry you felt you received an incomplete response from B. Bassett. As others have stated, cheek weld is a 100% personal thing since we are all created different. The iron sights are unusable with the low mount but somewhat usable with the high... Meaning you aren't going to be able to dial out to long range but 100,200,300 you should be ok.

Once you decide that, and if possible, I'd take your rifle, optic, & new mount to your local shop and ask if they can assist you in mocking up a few different height rings before you commit. Or just order short, medium, and tall online and gently mock those up then return the ones you don't prefer.

The best recipe is to look through your own mounted glass for piece of mind.

 

[Greyson]

I have spent about $400.00+ on mounts and rings , Hours Bucking with the install, Med rings, low rings, brass hitting the mount. on and on.... I pick up my PA10 with the 3 by 10 Leupold and at 300 yds ding on the 8 inch steel.... Iron is the only way to shoot our platform.

It must be a sign of the apocalypse.....I agree with you howard....GI2