Do you have torque specs for the mount and install instructions? I'd suggest removing the scope mount and starting off from the beginning. Never assume the previous owner knew what he was doing unless you absolutely trust them.
Do you have torque specs for the mount and install instructions? I'd suggest removing the scope mount and starting off from the beginning. Never assume the previous owner knew what he was doing unless you absolutely trust them.I just noticed that the ARMS 18 mount I have on my SAI M1A Loaded is canted to the left. When looking from the rear, the right edge is higher than the left.
This mount came with the rifle and I haven't noticed this before. I have mainly been shooting with iron sights and when I look through the channel on the mount, I can see the sights just fine. The only things I have done with the mount was to make sure the side screw on the receiver was secure and the set screw in the stripper clip dovetail was secured with Loc-Tite. I have not pulled it off and re-mounted it. The angle of cant is not profound but it is noticeable.
I am guessing that this is probably not that big of an issue. As long as I can set a scope in its rings with the cross hairs level, it should still work fine, right?
I pulled the mount off to try to figure out the problem. When I can get the rail level, the side mounting screw does not line up with the screw hole in the side of the receiver. If I get the screw lined up, the rail cants again. I am beginning to think it was always this way but somehow I never noticed.Do you have torque specs for the mount and install instructions? I'd suggest removing the scope mount and starting off from the beginning. Never assume the previous owner knew what he was doing unless you absolutely trust them.
Try removing all tension and contact points of the leveling screws and then install the scope mount but only finger tighten the receiver mount bolt. Then try leveling the base front to rear and then torquing the receiver mount bolt to spec. Becareful so not to overdo it if you feel any resistance on the receiver bolt and strip any threads on the receiver. I'm guessing you have an out of spec scope base causing your problems and would replace it with a Bassett or Sadlak mount. Both have had very good reviews here and I went with the Bassett mount because of the quick interchange from scope to irons.I pulled the mount off to try to figure out the problem. When I can get the rail level, the side mounting screw does not line up with the screw hole in the side of the receiver. If I get the screw lined up, the rail cants again. I am beginning to think it was always this way but somehow I never noticed.
I did not mess with the front contact screw. I'll try raising that and seeing if that helps with the fit but I don't think it will.
I had thought that getting the mount level (Side-to-side and front to back) was one of the most important parts of mounting optics. A slight cant isn't a big problem? I'll try to post some photos to show what I am looking at. If this turns out to be a non-issue, I'll be thrilled.That cant is meaningless for optics function, between mounting the scope to where it "looks good" to your eyes as well as how you hold the rifle when shooting you probably cant it far more than that anyways. The only thing I would worry about is that once the screws are torqued down the mount flexes and your rings will no longer be perfectly in line with one another. Then you go mount your scope and bend it![]()
If the scope mount is canted slightly to the left then when you put the scope in the rings you cant it slightly to the right. Like I said be more worried about whether or not the mount is flexing when torqued down. You want the rings to be concentric with one another otherwise you can damage your scope.I had thought that getting the mount level (Side-to-side and front to back) was one of the most important parts of mounting optics. A slight cant isn't a big problem? I'll try to post some photos to show what I am looking at. If this turns out to be a non-issue, I'll be thrilled.
I consider that for every scope installation, whether rifle or slide-mounted pistol scope, and I lap my rings or use PosAlign inserts. Receivers are finished by hand, and bases and rings are not perfect. Lots of scopes are bent slightly by misaligned rings.The only thing I would worry about is that once the screws are torqued down the mount flexes and your rings will no longer be perfectly in line with one another.
Sorry, I'll need some clarification on the questions.Walnut Scout guessed my next question: Does the mount clear the dovetail for the stripper clip guide?
And, do you have a square to check the angle of the slotted base with the left side of the mount.
To me, your photos don't show a cant.
I'll have to remove the set screw and the dovetail insert to re-check that. Or did you want me to leave the dovetail insert in? Also, I haven't torqued anything down yet, just finger tight. To properly check the gap, I need to torque down the side screw to the 90 ft-lbs required w/o the rear set screw in place?After you torque the mounting screw on the left side, before you install the rear set screw, there should be a slight gap between the rear of the mount and the forward angled face of the dovetail slot. Then the two screws and dovetail insert should adjusted to be tight without bending the mount.