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Yesterday I missed a relatively easy shot at a coyote and spent last night trying to determine whether it was an equipment problem or an operator error. The rifle is a 2011 NULA 20B in 308. What I found was that the lower portion of the front Talley lightweight scope mount was cracked completely through lengthwise. I always use my 1/4" Armstrong torque wrench to install scope mounts and did so on this rifle (25 in/lbs for the bases). Has anyone else had this problem with the Talley's?
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Joined: Feb 2003
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2003
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I've seen pics here of the top half breaking in half and always assumed too much torque. Do you have a pic? I'd love to see it. My guess is that a call to Melvin will get hou a replacement. If that fails, I'd call Talley. They'd probably like to know as well.
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I've taken a couple of pictures and can email them to you. If you want to post them to the Campfire, that is ok as well. I've had trouble with photo bucket the last couple of times and don't have the time right now to wade through that process. I'll talk to Melvin on Monday, but posted mostly to get an understanding if this is something that has happened to others. I have the LWs on my ULA 28 (300 WSM) and my Forbes (30-06). However, I'll give up the small weight loss gain for something absolutely reliable. My email address is kdc iinet.com Ken
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Joined: Jan 2004
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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I cracked a top ring on a set of Talley's. They ain't bullet proof for sure.
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Joined: Dec 2009
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Campfire Tracker
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Have had several top ring caps pop. Light, yes. Absolutely reliable, no.
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Campfire Ranger
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Randy NRA Patriot Life Benefactor
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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You buy cheap you get cheap. What do you expect for $40?
Pay for the good Talley stuff & you'll have good stuff.
"I never thought I'd live to see the day that a U.S. president would raise an army to invade his own country." Robert E. Lee
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I guess I thought all Talley stuff was "good stuff".
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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"You know they're made of the same aircraft grade aluminum as the landing gear on Jet Aircraft"... No, actually they are not... Though I remember one "gun writer" who repeated that little gem like a bobblehead anytime the Talley LWTs were brought up. He was corrected by an actual aircraft engineer, on this site, a few years back. Would mention a name, however, he frequents this site AND does not take kindly to being seen as anything but THE authority on such matters...
Makes me wonder how much "common knowledge" is repeated claptrap, with those in the know not taking the time to set the record straight. Lest they ruffle sacred cow type feathers and argue with idiots. BTDT...
People actually commenting on their own area of expertise. Damn, what a concept. It may catch on but I doubt it...
Regards, Matt.
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fwiw, The UPSIDE to this is that you can contact either Melvin Forbes OR Dave Talley. I've met and dealt with both through the years. It would be awfully difficult to say who is the greater Gentleman. Both are a PLEASURE to deal with and talk to... To say nothing of carrying product support to a pseudo religion. Great ambassadors of the shooting sports...imho
Regards, Matt.
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Campfire Outfitter
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I've had two crack on one of the top threads similar to jds44's. They were on a rifle that was abused though, spending a lot of time on a tractor and atv...it took a beating and had nothing to do with recoil. I can say one pair showed no change of zero but didn't test the other.
I still have several rifles that wear TLW's, but generally go with DNZ's if I'm buying now.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I've had one crack. Still have a set on one rifle that's been great for years. Unless ultra light is the ultimate goal I would use other alternatives.
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Campfire Tracker
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I've had the top half crack twice and a buddy recently had a couple of screw heads pop off.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Clint....Do you still use them?? Or are you going with something else now??
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I still use them but dont get a warm fuzzy feeling. Mine broke years ago. Just when I started feeling more comfortable my buddy had a few screw heads snap off. Threads like this make it worse.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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I have quite a few and use them exclusively now unless it's more of a long-range or tactical rifle. I don't like to use them unless I buy them new and I'm the one torqueing the screws. You never know what a previous owner has done.
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Campfire Member
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You buy cheap you get cheap. What do you expect for $40?
Pay for the good Talley stuff & you'll have good stuff. Weaver bases and their classic steel rings for under $30. Good luck destroying those. Only problem I've seen with this "cheap" setup is trying to get the Weaver roll just right or the thumb-screw working loose. Locktight solves that last problem.
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Campfire Tracker
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257,
Any idea if the Talley failures are related to a certain vintage of rings, or are they all susceptible?
Thanks,
Jason
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Jason,
No idea. I've got older Talley Ltwt's on ULA's with the hex screws instead of Torx, and I haven't had any problems. I've had good luck with all of them, but I'm careful about NOT over-tightening my screws. Not saying the rings are not at fault......but I've never had a failure. I'd guess that I've used 30 or so sets over the years.
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