I went to Seguin, TX to the Conetrol facility, and the owner there was "max PO'd" when I mentioned S&K as a competitor. It seems that the guy who owns S&K worked for Conetrol, then took what he learned and started making almost the same thing. Lots of bad blood there for whatever reason. I have three sets of Conetrols on my M70's and one on my M700, and they are clean in design, and strong. I'm sure that the S&K's would be the same.
I ralize you are not taking sides on the Conterol/SK ring issue, but here is my take-
I bought my first set of Conetrols about 30 years ago.
The guy who owns Conetrol has been a grouchy, old cuss since the beginning- competitors or not.
Frankly, I do not know WHY he is mad at SK and really I do not believe the "Former employee" story since SK is in PA.
The guy at Control has NO design rights to a wrap around soft one piece scope ring at all- they ARE different than Conetrol rings. As to the cone screw attachment in the bases, if he did not file patent on it, that HIS problem
He also should be pissed at Dave Gentry up in Belgrade. MT because Dave also made the same basic ring base designs as SKs.
I think instead of holding grudges against perceived competitors, the guy a Conetrol needs to concentrate his remaining time on earth to better Marketing/advertising, better customer service and making bases that are not shaped like something a kid made in high school metal shop class.
Conetrol has problems that has nothing to do with what their competitors are doing.