Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Scope & mounts for M70 Featherweight

I'm thinking of trying out the Redfield 2-7X28mm with the Leupold matte DD bases and rings...the mounting length of the scope is 5.2" and I'd really rather not use the reversible front base unless absolutely required. The scope is only $150 with a lifetime warranty and coated lenses. I'm much more interested in field of view rather than overall magnification...your thoughts? This would be a pretty cheap route for just getting started. I could probably order a scope installation toolkit as well. I will have plenty of rifles and funds to upgrade in the future. I really want to do the installs myself...I'm an engineer, so I'm pretty stupid with common sense! LMAO

Good companies to order from on-line? Good toolkit for scope mounting? Thanks again.

Safari317,

I sent you a PM,

Leftybolt

Okay, leftybolt talked me out of the Redfield. I'm thinking VX-3 1.75-6X 32mm. It's small, light and supposedly good quality. It should give me a nice large field of view. If I don't like it, I can always put it on my Boddington Safari 375 Ruger. I'm goin' with matte everything, DD bases and low rings, Leupy. I might need a 1" bar of somethin' or another for installation.

Who's a good company to order from? I haven't gotten any feedback on that one yet...Opticsplanet? I can't do Cabelas without paying tax. Need some help here. Thanks to you all!

-Jeff in MN

safari: Everything you need for scope mounting can be ordered from Brownell's,mostly on line. It is not complex but must be done correctly of course.

Suspect you will like the Leupold Lefty suggested.

Who's a good company to order Leupys from? I'm gonna get my son a 2-7X rimfire with the nice ringmounts and the VX-3 1.75-6X plus mounts and rings for myself. Need an out of state company so's I don't pay tax up front, or ever. LOL
-Jeff in MN

The height of the DD lows will work fine w/ your rifle in terms of height; heed the caution on the fore/aft measurements. I have the low DDs on a Model 70 Supergrade w/ Leupold VX-III 4.5x14x40 and they easily clear.

Another worth considering is the Talley fixed steel models; these are classics for sure.

I mounted a 2.5-8x on a 70 FWT 300WM using Talley Lightweight Lows (Extended). Works great. If you do a search, Timberline posted a while back about a deer hunt using a 280 FWT and had good pics of those rings and scope.

Them prices are higher than I'm seeing elsewhere. They don't reflect the current sales that are goin' on.

Example: VX-3 1.75-6X32mm $429, everywhere else $399.

GF1,

I use Talley steel mounts when Leupold's won't work for my application and I agree they are classics. My only gripe with them is that their low steel rings and bases are still pretty high. and they are a bit heavy. There's enough extra steel there that they could make their lows even lower, IMO, if enough people encouraged them to do so. Price is another hurdle, they aren't exactly inexpensive but they are very strong, well made, and look great, especially on a Win. Model 70.

Beautiful rifles there phoenixdawg!!! I like the S/K mounts and rings as well. I'm gonna look into them.

-Jeff in MN

The SK bases and vertical split rings are growing on me. How would I figure out the tube mounting distance between the front of the forward ring and the back of the rearward ring? I'm not seein' any specs anywhere that would allow me to know or calculate this distance, and it would totally affect which scope is possible to mount. Anyone have this setup on an M70 '.06 length action with a smaller scope? All replies appreciated.

-Jeff in MN

Jeff

Once the scope is set in the rings, you just adjust for the eye relief that you want. On the previous picture, with the Model 70 is .270 it has a .30-06 length action, the scope is a 3x9x40, not an overly big scope by any stretch.

Hi phoenixdawg, could I mount a leupy VariX-II 2-7X with those sk mounts? Tube length is 5.2 ".

Leftybolt, agree w/ you on height of the Talleys - have been meaning to bring that up w/ Gary Turner and Dave Talley (they are tremendous folks) on our next visit. In spite of the height issue, I really like them and they are hell-for-stout.

you would have no problem, keep in mind the bases have more to due with scope position than the rings. Bases will be drilled at a standard length on the Model 70 standard action.

[/quote]you would have no problem, keep in mind the bases have more to due with scope position than the rings. Bases will be drilled at a standard length on the Model 70 standard action. [/quote]

I've been told that the 2.5-8X Leupy won't fit in Leupy DD bases without using a front reversible. It's tube length is 5.1". The Vari-X II 2-7X is 5.2". What is the spacing between the front of the forward ring and back of the rearward ring on your M70 SK setup? Thanks in advance.

I've been told that the 2.5-8X Leupy won't fit in Leupy DD bases without using a front reversible. It's tube length is 5.1". The Vari-X II 2-7X is 5.2". What is the spacing between the front of the forward ring and back of the rearward ring on your M70 SK setup? Thanks in advance. [/quote]

I just measured 4.6"

Thanks phoenixdawg!!! I think I could mount anything with that setup. Thanks again.

I am a fan of the steel Talley mounts. Have them on most of my rifles and I can switch scopes by adjusting only one ring between some of them. I like that the fixed rings can be converted to quick detachable with just the addition of levers.

I think too much is made over light weight rings especially going to aluminum bases. My two wish list items would be for some extra low steel Talley's and to have a steel thread insert added to the light weights to prevent stripping or galling.

The VX-II 2-7x and the VX-3 1.5-6x are under rated scopes and very useful for a wide range of conditions, as are the FX4&6s.

Many of these questions could be answered by a call to Talley's the couple of times I have called I have been extremely impressed with the helpfulness and customer service. Just another reason I have them on most of my rifles.