BoilerUp
1 November 2015, 16:46
I just mounted a scope in my second Aero Precision lightweight mount (1", extended). This time, I replaced a set of Leupold rings that came with my Mark AR 1.5-4x24 on my lightweight build. It saved me 2 ouces.
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-Kk6VND7/0/L/i-Kk6VND7-L.jpg
The one one recurring and valid, albeit minor, complaint about the AP mount is that the scope will rotate slightly clockwise as you torque the screws (there are only screws on the bottom and the top inter-locks). This isn't a big deal, but it can mean a few attempts of trial and error to guess how much rotation you should account for. For this combo, you can see in the photo below how far off-level I needed to start off from.
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-4gGGH3L/0/L/i-4gGGH3L-L.jpg
Above is what it looked like with "finger-tight" screws. Below is what it looked like after ~15 in-lbs of torque
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-w48L2L6/0/L/i-w48L2L6-L.jpg
I took the setup to the range today and it didn't take but a few clicks to get back to zero.
After mounting my Leupold I then re-checked the mounting of my Swaro Z3 that uses the same style AP mount. I quickly noticed that I was significantly off-level using the same technique so figured I had some cant in my mounting. After messing with it for 20 minutes or so I finally realized that the turret top wasn't perfectly level with the reticle. So, in order to level the reticle to the reciever, I used the bubble level on the receiver and aligned the reticle with a horizontal board on my fence (that I verified was level). This again took a few tries to get right given the rotation as you apply torque, but I eventually got it mounted level. I also took it out to the range today to re-verify zero as this is on my 6.8 SPC deer rifle and I've got an empty tag and at lease one more hunting trip this month.
Anyway, I thought I'd share the one downside to the AP mounts. I think the light weight and excellent quality more than make up for a little hassle in mounting, but it is something you should be aware of and pay close attention to when mounting a scope in these mounts.
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-Kk6VND7/0/L/i-Kk6VND7-L.jpg
The one one recurring and valid, albeit minor, complaint about the AP mount is that the scope will rotate slightly clockwise as you torque the screws (there are only screws on the bottom and the top inter-locks). This isn't a big deal, but it can mean a few attempts of trial and error to guess how much rotation you should account for. For this combo, you can see in the photo below how far off-level I needed to start off from.
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-4gGGH3L/0/L/i-4gGGH3L-L.jpg
Above is what it looked like with "finger-tight" screws. Below is what it looked like after ~15 in-lbs of torque
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-w48L2L6/0/L/i-w48L2L6-L.jpg
I took the setup to the range today and it didn't take but a few clicks to get back to zero.
After mounting my Leupold I then re-checked the mounting of my Swaro Z3 that uses the same style AP mount. I quickly noticed that I was significantly off-level using the same technique so figured I had some cant in my mounting. After messing with it for 20 minutes or so I finally realized that the turret top wasn't perfectly level with the reticle. So, in order to level the reticle to the reciever, I used the bubble level on the receiver and aligned the reticle with a horizontal board on my fence (that I verified was level). This again took a few tries to get right given the rotation as you apply torque, but I eventually got it mounted level. I also took it out to the range today to re-verify zero as this is on my 6.8 SPC deer rifle and I've got an empty tag and at lease one more hunting trip this month.
Anyway, I thought I'd share the one downside to the AP mounts. I think the light weight and excellent quality more than make up for a little hassle in mounting, but it is something you should be aware of and pay close attention to when mounting a scope in these mounts.