Tikka shooters- Mount the scope to the factory dovetail, or add a picatinny rail?

[TexanSam]

torque the clamp screws to 55in/lbs

With a little bitty torque wrench, I'll need to eat my wheaties lol

 

[Kauaihunter]

With a little bitty torque wrench, I'll need to eat my wheaties lol

Get your Wheaties and lock it down on that Win Mag.

 

[Chingon]

I understand that having quality rings is good in this situation, but what exactly do those scope brands provide in this scenario that Leupold, Vortex, or other common scope manufacturers don't? (for the record, I am in fact mounting a NF)

Two things here - some scopes have thicker/more robust main tubes that allow increased ring torque. Not all brands or even models within a brand are created equal.

Separately, and independent of main tube thickness, is the demonstrated ability of those scopes to actually hold zero after repeated drops and even just riding in the back of vehicles. Sadly, Leupold and Vortex and MOST other scopes don't tend to hold zero. I think these viral drop tests are causing the industry to take notice and my hope is that one day most manufacturers will produce scopes that reliably track and hold zero in hunting conditions.

Queue the gold ring fanboy backlash

 

[MThuntr]

UM Rings are bulky. SWFA turrets are massive. That's especially my complaint about UM rings. I'm not sure either will stay on the rifle when I get a new barrel spun on.

 

[noharleyyet]

Never had issue with Sako's proprietary mounts...

 

[Lasiocarpa]

Another vote for the Sportsmatch rings. They are solid

 

[Wild Bill]

UM Rings are bulky. SWFA turrets are massive. That's especially my complaint about UM rings. I'm not sure either will stay on the rifle when I get a new barrel spun on.
View attachment 400559

Which stock is that?

 

[MThuntr]

Which stock is that?

KRG Echo

 

[MTLabrador]

UM Rings are bulky. SWFA turrets are massive. That's especially my complaint about UM rings. I'm not sure either will stay on the rifle when I get a new barrel spun on.
View attachment 400559

They’re very good scopes, but I agree with the turrets. Way too bulky for what I prefer in a hunting rifle. I know there’s many who disagree, and that’s fine too.

I do like the rings even if they are a little bulky, especially the 1” micro height.

 

[Islander]

UM Rings are bulky. SWFA turrets are massive. That's especially my complaint about UM rings. I'm not sure either will stay on the rifle when I get a new barrel spun on.
View attachment 400559

I've carried mine a good bit. Didn't notice rings or turrets in the field. Like the new caps.

 

[mtmuley]

UM Rings are bulky. SWFA turrets are massive. That's especially my complaint about UM rings. I'm not sure either will stay on the rifle when I get a new barrel spun on.
View attachment 400559

Yikes. mtmuley

 

[Chingon]

Also, not sure they have fixed it, but despite the bulk Unknown Munitions has stated their rings are only appropriate for 7PRC and lower cartridges. Apparently their recoil pins were bending with 30 cal magnums. Surprising to hear for me as I have several pair and they seem rock solid.

Given that info, I see no reason to not go with Sportsmatch at half the price and less weight.

 

[Islander]

Also, not sure they have fixed it, but despite the bulk Unknown Munitions has stated their rings are only appropriate for 7PRC and lower cartridges. Apparently their recoil pins were bending with 30 cal magnums. Surprising to hear for me as I have several pair and they seem rock solid.

Given that info, I see no reason to not go with Sportsmatch at half the price and less weight.

Torque to UM new torque spec of 55 IP and done. Nothing to do with the design or limitation of UM rings, only torque setting. Sportsmatch are slipping at 38 on some calibers.

For the Tikka dovetail, you need enough (more) torque to prevent slipping. UM hardware is strong enough for that torque.

 

[Chingon]

Torque to UM new torque spec of 55 IP and done. Nothing to do with the design or limitation of UM rings, only torque setting. Sportsmatch are slipping at 38 on some calibers.

For the Tikka dovetail, you need enough (more) torque to prevent slipping. UM hardware is strong enough for that torque.

Did they test that as the solution? I lost that thread but they were even talking about a new design with a different mounting mechanism.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

I was a long time sportsmatch/UM direct mount to rail guy. I'm leaning more towards a pic rail with good pic rings these days. Never had an issue attributed to direct mount rings but the hardware on sportsmatch is kind of lousy and strips easy. And I just like being able to swap scopes on off rifles easier with pic rings.