Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics weaver bases - do you get what you pay for?

I can go get basic matte aluminum Weaver brand bases at the local sporting goods store for about $2 a base. At the same store they sell Warne and Leupold brand weaver bases for $30 that are made of steel. They also sell Leupold aluminum weaver bases for about $15.

So ranging from less than $5 to about $30 a pair, am I going to see a real difference in ruggedness and quality (with the screws as well as the bases themselves)? I have a couple of rifles with cheapo weaver bases and they've yet to fail me so far, but I'm willing to fork over some extra cash for some nicer bases with better screws if it means they'll be more likely to hold up to use and abuse.

In all of my shooting experience with rifles from 22 LR to 300 H&H I have used Weaver aluminums with no issues.

I don't understand your comment about screws - how do you judge the quality of a screw by looking at it?

drover

Absolutely. Before I switched to Talleys I used them all the time.

I've been using a Weaver aluminum base on my 45-70 Marlin 1895 for quite some time. It's holding up just fine even with heavy loads.

Guy

Weaver uses slotted screw heads. Most others have hex or torx. That may be what he's talking about.

Sorry, I was just speculating on what all might be better quality when you buy more expensive bases vs the cheapest Weaver option. I have no idea.

I have seen heavy kickers peen the slots in weaver bases .i won't use them on anything bigger than 223

I have seen heavy kickers peen the slots on Weavers too, but it’s been with heavy scopes attached.

I use Weavers on most of my rifles, including one lightweight rifle that has plenty of recoil, but it has a 12 oz scope attached.

I’ve generally used aluminum bases on everything including scoped shotguns as well as magnum rifles and handguns. I’ve never had any problems with them.

well now i don't know what to believe...


Well the rifle in question will be a 270 and the scope will be a 13 oz Burris Fullfield, so I might be in the clear?

Since you are so conflicted why don't you spring a few dollars more and get steel bases instead of agonizing over the aluminum bases having an issue?

If the difference between $5 and $30 is that important skip having a lunch out and you will have the difference to buy the steel bases.

drover

Just trying to learn is all. Obviously I can just buy the steel bases if I want extra warm fuzzies.

My 300 win mag has had weaver on there for years as do most of my rifles, except the Sako and Ruger rifles.

Much of the price difference comes from the material and mfging process. The standard Weaver aluminum bases are an extrusion. Other aluminum bases are true 6061 or 7061 material that is machined from bar stock. Quality steel bases are the same thing....material and machining time means a higher price for a higher quality product.

How the bases fit the receiver is another area to look at with the receiver itself being the big variable.

In a Weaver style base, the Weaver Grand Slam steel bases are a solid choice. Rings with a square crossbolt give much more contact to the base slot than a round bolt as that is effectively the recoil lugs for the mounting system. -Al

Never in my life had problems with Weaver bases. And they are my preference

I use them on 99’s, no problems

Two “issues” with the Weavers. One is that rings with true Picatinny crossbolts may not fit. The other is that they still come with slotted screws, at least the last ones I bought did. OTOH, the groove through the top of the base means you can use iron sights if you remove your scope. Solid-top bases may block your view, as on an FN .30/06 I just put together.

I've never had a problem with the weaver aluminum bases and they definitely are cheap. That being said, I use warne steel weaver bases if I need weaver bases now.

If they're made for the rifle I'm scoping I'll use Burris XTR two piece bases. They're steel and picatinny spec so they'll take picatinny rings or weaver style rings, best of both worlds.

My thoughts about the screws are, what is the steel ? Are the screws cold rolled steel or are they made of a better quality steel ? The steel doesn't have to be some super expensive steel but rust and corrosion resistant would be nice. Maybe even stainless steel for those rifles that are stainless or for those folks who prefer stainless. I have yet to see a base manufacturer tell us what the steel is. Here again, how many folks have had a problem with base screws breaking or bending ? Probably the only issue is rusting in place.

kwg

Note,: I said "Weaver bases", not Weaver STYLE bases. The aluminum weaver used is quite soft and has minimal contact area. There are much better bases to be had. I don't see the point in cheaping out on a $500-$1500 scope with $7 bases. I mostly use Warne Mountain tech