In years past I have broken several pair of Talley Lightweights. Just as I began to grow more comfortable with them the thread surfaced here at the Fire with numerous reports of breakage. Where there's smoke there's fire, and the smoke is thick. I've grown weary of failed optics and mounts and moving to scopes with a reputation for reliability. The Talley's were the weak link.

I have never warmed up to dual dovetails, with no good reason, I just couldn't grow comfortable with them.

The other alternative would be a picatinny setup but I do not like a solid rail and height is also an issue.

Enter the Burris steal two piece rail with standard picatinny rings, as introduced to me by John (Hondo). The rail is .17" thick (front Rem 700). With both Seekins low 30MM and 1" rings the finished height is .400 which is exactly the height of low Talley LW's. The bases weigh a combined 2 oz, roughly the weight of Talley LW's. The rings weigh 4 oz. The net effect is 4 oz heavier than Talley LW's. I can live with 4 extra oz for exponential increase in reliability. I have high confidence in this setup.

Been using Seekins myself whenever possible. Glen makes a really nice ring for the weight/cost.

Seekins are good no doubt. The missing link for me was the thin two piece steel Burris bases.

No doubt about it. I was looking to put Warne steel bases on my Kimber but they are Weaver and I'm pretty sure the Seekins won't mate (at least they don't with the Weaver bases I have on an RAR). For the RAR I used Maxima Lows but the set-up is taller than I like.

The Burris has picatinny groove and lug dimensions, but is not a true "picatinny" because of the full rail specs. The match with Seekns rings is perfect.

Kinda of reminds me of my first car, a 1972 Dodge. Sure it was big, all steel and robust. It could plow though walls, but I'm sure the passengers would be beat to hell.

They really need to come up with an all steel scope that doesn't use glass.

Good info CT. Not made for the Kimber otherwise I'd try them next.

Steelhead, its a balance, and at a cost of 4oz for reliability, I think I like it. From a size/proportion standpoint, there is no difference between Seekins and Talley LWs.

I've been using a 1" and 30mm pair of Seekins low rings and really like them.

I like that! Do they make the base for a M70?

I don't like it because I can't use the scope as a carry handle.

Looks like a very solid setup you've got there. Great looking rifle too.

yes

Thanks Scott....found them

Do they come in 8-40pitch screws? My 700 action is drilled/tapped for 8-40s.

Warne steel Maxima bases seem like the same level of toughness to me, and are bit more svelte in the 2-piece versions.

Warnes are "weaver" specs. Pictanniy rings will not work on them.

Clint I know you sold them but what were your thoughts on the APA's?

Thanks for the post. Those bases are exactly what I'm needing.

The APA's are probably my favorite. The set I had were the lowest available at .16". Combined with the .17" Burris base the total height of .33" is too low for 40mm+ objectives, which is unusual for any picatinny combo, and the reason I sold them. The next APA size up is .27" which is slightly higher than the Seekins lows at .23". The Seekins low combined with the .17" base yields my target height of .400". Because it met the target height, and because Seekins makes good stuff too I decided to roll with them, not to mention an $80 price difference.

Seekins also makes 1" rings. APA does not.

If cost is not an object and an APA height meets your target, then I'd roll with them. They make for a more svelte arrangement (cosmetic only).

Doesn't seem to be any bases available for the Kimber 84M

APA's are very nice, thinking about trying a set out on my next build!

Any reason you did not use Burris XTR matching rings? Looks like the Low 1" would be .42 mounted and the 30mm would be .52 if my calculations are correct. No doubt the Seekins are svelte in their styling.

Again, very nice rifle you built, like to know what your thoughts are on the scope after some time behind it. Thanks.

Near rail + Spuhr rings.

I'm getting ready to try out Burris Signature Weaver rings on two-piece Burris Picatinny bases on a SA M70. If I like the scope, I have low Seekins rings that I'll switch out in place of the Signature rings.

Another solid option for SA Winchesters is the IOR Valdada one-piece zero degree steel Picatinny rail. It has a cutout over the ejection port. It'd be nice if they made it for LA Winchesters, too.

I use the Burris XTB/XTR combo and it is my preferred setup. Mounts low to the bore, has demonstrated very good return to zero when switching between scopes and so far, has proven very reliable. Have also been very happy with ring alignment. Have not found lapping to be necessary, with my alignment rods virtually point to point. Very underrated setup in my estimate...

John

The problem with the Burris signature rings is the through bolts are prone to breaking. I have had to switch some out to beefier bolts. I like the Leupold QRW rings for being stout myself.

Dennis,

Interesting about the through-bolts. Where did you get the replacements?

The poster wants Robust, so that means a one piece mount.

I have the DNZ Deadnutz mounts on a Weatherby and a Rem. 700.

They fit very well and do not bother the scope with ring marks.

The scope will break off before these mounts are affected.

I dig DNZ's concept, and have used several, but the trite ring spacing doesn't help with zero retention. Have not used their 2 piece setup and that might provide a bit more spacing.

Good point. I've used them on several rifles but skipped them just recently due to ring spacing.

Just ordered a couple sets of bases and rings.....Burris XTB/XTR at $70 shipped per set. Can't wait to check them out and see how good they are. Planning on using them on a 257 Wthby and a 280AI.

I just used machine bolts I bought at the local bolt supplier, Copperstate.

You have to enlarge the holes.

Got some of these two piece Burris Picatinny bases and think they're a great option. Nice and low and the multiple slots perfect rings spacing. Thanks for the head's up!

Bumping this thread to see if anyone is using these bases on the Tikka T3.

I'm trying to calculate if the Burris 2-peiece bases + Seekins lows would be taller than Talley lows that have been milled by coldbore here on the Fire. I'd like a little more height for a 42mm scope.

Milled out Coldbore Talley lows vs Burris-Seekins 1in lows

Will the Burris-Seekins give me more room?

I used to recommend those Burris bases until I got a couple of sets that were not made to spec. They were too narrow, and some tapered front to back.

TPS makes some nice rings compatible with weaver bases. Pair those with Warne bases & they should be extremely stout.