There's been lots of talk about Stith mounts this week around here. Here's some photos of a different style mount that I picked up from 300Jimmy last month. It's a Miller Kodiak Dream Mount from the 50s.


The mount was advertised as being almost universal in its application, and this is almost true. It seems to fit just about any rifle that has a rear sight dovetail and side ejection. It uses a dovetail block in the rear sight dovetail (similar to a Stith) and tension from a spring steel bar to force the rear saddle down onto the receiver. Like a Stith, it requires no extra holes.

After a lot of hemming and hawing, I decided to try it on my 1930s Savage 45 Super Sporter in 30-30. Installation was pretty simple (thanks to the instructions provided by Mike and Steve). I removed the existing rear sight and tapped in the dovetail block:


Then I slid the spring steel mount over the dovetail block and pivoted the mount up and over the receiver, letting the spring tension settle the rear saddle in place:

When it's in place, the mount seems really rigid, and it sits nice and square. I feared that there wouldn't be enough eye relief with the old Weaver K2.5, but even though it sits further ahead than I would prefer, it still works fine.


I just mounted this today and haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, but I'm pleased with the way it looks and handles with the scope in place. I may have to take it out to the woods this season.


Rod

Good writeup, and thanks for the info. I've seen a couple on 99's but never examined one up close.

Rod, Do you have a laser bore sighter. If so, it would let you see, while looking through the scope, how well zero is held while pushing the rig around a bit.

Its a neat looking setup.

Those are great pics! Beautiful old rifle! I'm sure it works well but it sure looks like it would wiggle around.

A couple more close-ups of front and rear mounts:




Rod

In the above picture, what is the function of the socket head cap screw on the rear base? Thanks.

Steve--

If I understand this correctly, this is an elevation adjustment. It probably also provides some added adjustment for use on all the various rifles the mount supposedly fits, including the Savage 99, Winchester 70 & 54, Remington 721, 14, 141, and many others.

Rod

Interesting, thanks.

That turned out nice Rod. A real low mount. Didn't need the sub-base for this application right?

I would think with the amount of down pressure generated, the .30-30 won't buck that mount.

Thanks for posting the pics.

Rod, you can move the scope back by using that spacer that slides into the spring base ahead of the mount ring. Kapish?

Very neat! Thanks for sharing Rod. I can't say that I ever saw one of those in the flesh.

Thanks Mike. I can't believe I didn't see that!

Rod

very cool... I actually really dig the 40/45 guns especially the 45s like yours with the extra checkering and the long prince of wales style p/g. The Kodiak looks great on their and I will be interested to hear how well it shoots.

Rod
Dammit! That sure looks Great. I Have the Same Rifle in 300 Sav and 250! Hmmmmm,,gave me hankering to switch were i have mine on. Looks Super. Glad all worked well for ya and the rifle is even nicer looking all dressed up. Hopefully you have a date to take it now.
Steve

Great looking rig Rod. Please do let us know how it works at the range, shot to shot. Even the thuty thuty generates some recoil and it doesn't take much to knock scopes around.

Ah krap Rod, thanks to you another one of those Savage rifle/mounts that I can't live without. GW Nice rig!