I have quite a few Leupold base and ring mounting systems on my rifles. Thinking of trying a Talley light weight, the one with the ring and base combined. This would be for a small cal varmint gun.

And big negative issues with the aluminum Talleys?

They do seem to be a bit higher than other mount types, but some are offered in low and extra low as well, depending on what gun they are for.

Strength shouldn't be an issue with varmint guns. I never put much trust into the Leupold type standard bases myself, but again, for small calibers they are fine.

The Talley steel rings and bases hold up to anything, but obviously that is much more than is needed for your situation.

I have been using them for years. Never had a single issue even on some hard kickers. 300 WSM, 338-06 and even the 308 from a 5 lb rifle is pretty sharp. They have always held zero.

Only have a few Talley light weights, but the only problem I have seen is if you over torque the screws. Easy to strip the aluminum threads. More of an operator error than a product problem.

I have had half a dozen Leupold mounts where there was blue sky showing underneath the rear mount. None of these rings were lapped in so that could be the problem combined with the factory receiver tolerances. I did have one base screw snap off, but again more of an operator error issue. But I have always felt like most of the rigidity is from the front base only on the Leupold.

So I guess this proves I can screw up either of them.

I've been considering some Talley Lightweights for a knight ML I have. I like the design.

They have to be lapped. I don't mind and use them regularly.

I have had very good luck with them including on a couple of 300 Weatherby rifles, if there is some kind of troublesome mounting problem with a rifle Talley's often make it go away,......height, misaligned base to ring fit were the last to get straightened out.

Try using them on a better rifle: Let me clarify. If you are having alignment issues, it's not the ring. Trust me, there are some issues with the machining of the bridges/top of receiver of your rifles. I've never had to lap a set of talleys..

What kind of "small cal varmint gun". Pretty vague description. I use them on everything from a 22 WMR RAR to 7 pound 338 win mag...

Mine don't have aluminum threads. Please explain..

Really? Solid aluminum rings with threads that aren't aluminum?