Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Scope Mounting Help

I recently bought my first pre-64 model 70 and I'm wanting to scope it. It appears that the spacing between a standard set of Leupold rings and bases will be too wide for most scopes. My question is will a standard set of Leupold extension rings give me enough adjustment to obtain proper eye relief? The rifle is a 30-06 and I plan to put an older Leupold VX-3 scope on it. Thanks for the help.

You shouldn't be having that problem with a pre-64 standard length action unless you have one of the old Leupold 1.5 - 6 Vari-X III scopes. Leupold scopes have a good 4" eye relief, so that shouldn't be an issue, but yes the extension rings will do the job. Good luck.

Ps Redfield rings and bases (similar to standard Leupold) with old Leupold 2.5x8 Vari-X III on my 30-06 SPRG. Note that you can turn that rear base in either direction.

Your other option is the one piece base - this is a pre-64 M70FW in 270 WIN with a 2.5x8 VX-III Leupold mounted on it.
Plenty of eye relief.

another option would be talley 1 pcs lightweights which I don't think look too bad on a pre 64 M70

Conetrol's are another option.

As much as I don't really like the windage adjustable mounts, that's about the best way to mount a short tube scope like the 2.5-8x36. You could also go with something like this if you don't mind the base sticking out past the rear bridge. Leupold Dual dovetails, extended rear mount:

EdM:

Could you tell us a little bit more about these mounts/rings?

Thanks.

EdM, that is a beautiful rifle!

Thanks for the suggestions and ideas. The rear base will mount in either direction, but the base extends about 1/2 inch over the chamber when the windage screws are on the front. It looks like it was made for the windage screws to be at the rear, and it looks better and fits better that way. I may mount it with the screws to the front and try it while waiting on the extension rings. I've considered a 1-piece base but I can't tell if the rear ring is located in a different place or not. I'm also having trouble finding one that does not have 20 minutes built into it! The scope is an older 3.5-10AO but its the same size as a newer 4.4-14AO.

Thanks for the help! You guys have some beautiful M-70's.

Browse around here.

http://www.conetrol.com/

Another nice looking option is Michael Scherz bases with Talley rings. The combo allows a relatively short scope, a 1.75-6X Leupold here, to be mounted without a "hangover".

Ed, I like that set-up. Can a regular working class guy afford such a combo??? I guess since the OP is asking about a leupold 3-9x40, here's what I'd suggest. Good ol Leupold dual dovetails:

Here are those sleek Conetrol two piece mounts on my DWM Mauser.

I kinda like the old-school look...Redfield Jr base with Redfield split rings from the early '50's. They still work pretty good. Scope on the M70 is a Lyman 4X.
Bob

Yes, those work. Even on newer VX3 leupolds....:


Steel talleys also work with 3-9x40 leupolds:

+1 on the early Redfield Jr. base and rings with Lyman All American Perma Center 4x, my favorite combination for pre'64 M/70. My All American has a two minute LEE dot which I find to be a very useful addition whether shooting at targets or game in the field. My .35 Whelen M/70 SG has a Griffin & Howe mount with Lyman Alaskan with LEE dot.

You know what rings I really like on the redfield jr. mount? The bottom screw redfields:

Now you are just talking oldschool. How about some weavers with an old k4?:



Or a Kollmorgen bearcub and Buehler adjusto mount:

Buy the Redfield Jr. mounts whenever I come across them, especially like those with the built-in peep....

Nothing wrong with Weaver rings and bases, I've had them on a M/88 with K2.5 with post & crosshair. Killed my biggest buck with that set-up. I also use Weaver's on my slug guns, first with K2.5 and more recently with v4.5, just never had them on a M/70 they'd work fine there too.