Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa Fixed vs QD Talley's

Hoping for thoughts on fixed vs the QD. Are you giving anything up with the QD over the fixed? Are the QD as stout as the fixed? Are you able to mount the fixed any lower? Looked at their site and it looks like the low rings for both are at .3" above the bases?

Planning on mounting a VX6 1-6 on a Mod 70 Classic in 375 H&H.

Thanks

Either is great, I prefer the QDs.,

That's what I was planning. Just wondered if there was any benefit to the fixed over the QD. Thx.

I think that the only advantage to the fixed is that they don't have the levers sticking out. The QDs are like having a fire extinguisher in the house, you probably won't ever need them.

Probably not--but some people prefer to use them because they can take a spare scope on a trip, already sighted-in and set up in another pair of QD's. If something happens to the first scope, the spare scope can then replace it, a shot or two take to reaffirm zero, and the safari can continue with little time lost.

I've used the QDs with a .458 and a .375. Probably fired 300 or more shots with them. No problems.

Thx Guys. QDs on the way.

Even though you ordered....a quick story from my SA hunt...

Scope was damaged by the baggage monkeys. Thankfully I carried a spare in my carry on. I will forever use QD rings on African hunts and carry both scopes with me on the plane. Quality QD's work and work well. Let alone save the headache and quite possible, heart ache.

Have been thinking along the same lines. Think I'll do the same. Thanks for sharing.

Used QDs on two Arican Safaris. I never had to use them, but it was nice to know I could have, if necessary.

Good decision.

donsm70

I have tested my QD's extensively on my 300 WSM's. THey return to exact zero every time.

The levers can be replaced with the screws that come with them. Then, nothing is sticking out.

I did exactly as MD described, second scope mounted in another set of QDs that I took as a backup in case my scope crapped out. Also, like RL28 said above, mine came both with Levers and the screw, so you could use either one. I suppose on Safari, the levers might make it a bit easier to get the scope off without the right driver, but you also have the levers sticking out which can catch on brush. However, I never had an issue with that, both in Africa and Alaska. One thing I did learn, though, is that if you buy the fixed Talley's with just the one screw on top of the rings, instead of the type with two screws, you may have trouble keeping the scope in place inside the rings on a heavy kicker. At least my Dad had that trouble on his Sako 75 in .375 H&H.

My solution is just a wee different. I mount a good stiff Picatinny rail on my gun with 8-40 screws. I use low tactical rings on my scopes. That is the most secure mounting that I know of. Sight both scopes in on that gun and keep a small torque wrench with the extra scope. That way, I can put the scope on exactly, If I ever need to. My last trip, I gave the spare Trijicon to my PH as part of my tip for the huge Cape Buffalo that he got me to. On my next trip, I may also bring a RMR green dot sight.
JMHOFWIW

I have Warne QD rings on my 375HH. Either tally copied warne or visa versa? not sure of the truth to the story but they are nearly identical.

On my Warne bases a company called Ashley outdoors makes a peep sight that clamps to the base when you remove the scope. This is a brilliant design which is tough and made with near indestructible construction.

So the 375HH has the basic flip up factory rear sight, the scope in QD rings, and the option of using the Ashley outdoors peep. AS a PH I chose this set of options to be able to have some type of sighting system in the event of failure of the scope or the rear open sight.

The Peep is deadly accurate to 100 yards, the opens are not as good but functional. The 2.5-8X32 VXIII has been on the rifle for about 2 decades and has never been removed due to failure.

If I was not going to have QD rings, I would opt for Leopold Dual Dovetail rings. They are the strongest most bullet proof designed rings made by the hands of man.

There is another company on the scene now that I would strongly consider and actually more then likely choose. LaRue tactical. The rings and bases they make are simply astonishing if your going down the path of QD mounts.

All of my my rifles have Picatinny bases: A CZ 550 375 H&H, a Tikka 9.3x62, an H&K SLB 2000 .30-06, and PTR 91 .308. I use La Rue QD rings on all of my scopes. Not cheap. Everything pretty much returns to zero.

The deal with La Rue is: "Buy Once ... Cry Once."

JJ,
On another .375 of mine, I have the same Warne QD rings and have the same Ashley peep sight for it as you have. It is a cool setup. I always wanted to install a grip cap with a hidden compartment that I could store the sight in , but I never did.

Brockman's used to make a really cool base for Talley rings with a pop up peep sight shown here.



Not sure if they still make it or not, but I always thought it would be cool, although it looks somewhat fragile. I've never used one but did correspond with a guy who did and he loved it.

Talley offers a Peep Sight too.

The Talley peep sights are separate pieces that fit on the base after the removal of the scope. The Brockmans has the peep attached to the base and the peep itself is on a spring that goes down when the scope is on and pops up when the scope is removed, so you're ready to go immediately after the scope is removed.

That's pretty nifty.