Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Old school Weaver rings? Potential issue?

I know they’re cheap, and I believe the idea that you generally get what you pay for, but I’m interested in old school style weaver rings like you can find here. I know some people actually think pretty highly of them, while others aren’t as impressed.

I’ve been reading about the potential problems caused by vertically split rings, and I think the idea is that because you’re tightening the rings on only one side (the top), you’re pinching the scope tube. With this Weaver design, where the screws are just on one side, could you potentially have similar issues?

Ive used them with no problems. I dont particularly care for them though.

Same here no problems. Their lows are pretty low.

I'll prolly be trashed for saying it here...but intuitively, if you look at the design closely, I would say that Weavers impart less stress to the scope tube than almost anything out there. Because if you really think scope bases are dead true, I invite you to apply a machinist's level on attached bases. The results of your examination explain a lot of the ring marks you see on used scopes.
If I am installing a scope on badly mis-aligned bases, I will slit the upper clamp ring half (actually about 190 deg) radially..so in effect I have something like the quad lock rings...very forgiving.

I like 'em and use them a lot. Never had any problems with them on rifles up to 375magnum.. It's the most copied scope mount system out there, so it can't be all wrong.

Check out these Weavers with the screws on both sides of the base. Works better than the original.

They've been around for approx.. 50 years. Thinking if they had a potential problem it would have shown up by now.

They are not my favorites, but have had excellent service from them, long term.

Easier to adjust, for sure.

Once adjusted, the originals are pretty tough.

And the low at .9" is about the lowest around.

I like the larger detach screws on the older ones.

DF

I've used them for a long time. They aren't always the best, but I have a drawer full of Weaver rings for the next play rifle.

I haven't found anything that puts a scope lower than Weaver rings. I use them on all my lever action rifles.

They're also perhaps the lowest-price detachable scope mount, and replace very accurately if you know what you're doing. I have them on my .375 H&H, which also has good iron sights, for that very reason. If I recall correctly Phil Shoemaker has them on his .458 Winchester Magnum, Old Ugly.

You don't get any lower than Weaver low rings in Warne bases. They are a bit of pain when mounting a scope as they rotate the scope to the side with the screws as you tighten, but stay put once tight. I have never had one fail.

Just good enough and as cheap as possible. Like most consumer goods for the USA market. I won't degrade by rifles by using them. If you're putting a cheap scope on a Savage Axis, a perfect match.

Well, we can't all have Trudeau as our 'leader'

Agree on lever guns without high combs. Hard to get lower than Weaver low's..

DF

That's gear snobbery.


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Looking back thru time, you'll see Weavers on some really fine rifles.

So, back then they weren't considered all that 'uncool"...

DF

As already stated, they sit low, are solid, and inexpensive. I still like them, especially on guns old enough to predate newer designs. 700s with aluminum butt plates for instance.

My only gripes are getting the scopes dead level through trial and error, and sometimes leaving light scuffs on brand new scopes. Otherwise, nothin’ wrong with Weavers in my world.

I have had a set on a M700 Mtn rifle clamping a Vari-X III 2.5-8 since 1993--it was the lightest, lowest set of rings/mount system I could find at the time. I have never removed the scope, and that rifle is the most accurate big game factory rifle I own. It has been on numerous backpack trips and a couple horse pack trips carried in a scabbard.

They're ugly, but I would have no problem using them again if needed.

It’s a pretty simple thing to keep Weavers from scuffing and dinging scopes... use a Dremel with grinder to remove the “dimples” inside the top ring strap... the dimples are found at the bend in the strap opposite where the two screws fit. Also, lightly bevel the edges of the lower (aluminum) ring. Mount your scope in rubber cement, and you’ll never have an issue with Weavers marring a scope tube.

Weavers are the lightest, lowest, most bombproof QD rings available. KISS. Perhaps not new-school cool, but they work... even on a Creedmoor.

Everything works on a Creedmoor. It's that good.

Here is my degraded Savage 16 Weather Warrior 22-250.