Remington LTR - .223 - Mount and Ring Recommendation

[GregC]

I have read so many reviews about base mounts and rings that my head is spinning and I am getting into analysis paralysis.

I just bought a Remington 700 LTR in .223 because I sold an unfired one nearly a decade ago, and I figured it is time to add one back into the collection. I know if money is no object you can get an awesome setup, but there is obviously a point of diminishing returns.

After looking at multiple reviews the DNZ single piece 30mm seems intriguing and it appeals to my sensibilty because of the single piece rigidity. I do not recollect if it has a recoil lug. I will be mounting a Leupold Var X III 6.5x20x50 LR mil-dot with AO and a Premier mil dot reticle.

If I get the DNZ, what height would I need for the 50 mm objective to clear the barrel (with Butler Creek flip ups)? How is the fit, finish, and tolerances when mounted on a Remington receiver?

If I go with a one piece base and rings, what would you guys suggest outside the usual suspects such as Seekins or Badger? Would you get a 20 MOA base for a .223 with a 20 inch barrel or is that overkill?

Thanks in advance for your opinions and insights.

[sk8804]

i have a medium DNZ on my savage with a 40mm nikon buckmasters with butler creek caps and there is about 1/4 inch of space still maybe just a tadd less. Give them a call and see what they say. They will know for sure what height will be needed.

[mixicus]

Rough numbers without checking my book, my 69gr .223 load at ~3050fps drops below Mach 1 (generally when accuracy starts going south quickly) at ~800yds. I would be dialing in just under 30 MOA at that distance. The total elevation in the scope is ~90 MOA. So a 20 MOA base seems like over kill.

FYI: I don't run an elevated base on my 6.5x284 which was build for longer distances.

[GregC]

Thanks for the feedback. I am getting a headache reading all of the reviews deciding what type of mounts I am going to use on my LTR. I shoot from a bench at the range but I like the look and tacticool element of certain offerings like the TPS rings and base.

[sk8804]

if it helps I am never going to run any base/ring combo other than DNZ because they are strong, light and they dont move once theyre put on. I love them

[GregC]

Is this better than the Talley lightweight rings and base because it is a one piece?

[sk8804]

I have heard that talleys are good, but i have not used them due to my happiness with DNZ. They may be better but i dont see how. I will not settle for anything but one piece setups for sheer rigidity.

[r3dn3ck]

Rings: Burris signature series. THey have little eccentrics and concentrics you can put in them to correct for range. I have them.. super handy for dialing in 5-40MOA in just the rings. If you need to drop in some range, that's a fairly inexpensive way of doing it and when you're done you can drop in concentric liners for more modest ranges. I used them so I could get my scope close to bottomed out with a 100yrd dial-in and give myself plenty of up in the turret.

[GregC]

Originally Posted by sk8804

I have heard that talleys are good, but i have not used them due to my happiness with DNZ. They may be better but i dont see how. I will not settle for anything but one piece setups for sheer rigidity.

Does the one piece setup impact access to you ability to load ammo? The Engineer side of me loves the design of the DNZ mount.

[sk8804]

no, there is a cutout on the bottom that allows for nearly full chamber access to throw a shell in by hand if needed.
here is a pic to describe it.
http://www.treeclimber.com/reloads/Cobalt11.jpg

[GregC]

Thanks for the picture, that is a nice looking rig. I am heavily leaning towards the DNZ. I want an accurate, simple, and strong mount for mostly bench shooting. I just wonder why some people seem to snub the DNZ and only consider Badger or more expensive mounts.

I read one review where someone liked the DNZ and used it with a Nightforce. If the DNZ will cost me accuracy I am willing to look at other options.

I have not been into shooting for awhile but it seemed like the Leupold Mark 4 was the cat's meow when I used to be heavily into shooting a decade ago. Now the Mark 4 base seems like it will limit my ring options because it is Weaver style and not true 1913 picatinny.

[sk8804]

I dont see how the dnz will cost you accuracy, in my opinion any picatinny style mount has more ability to shift in the event of a drop, and screw up accuracy. A dab of blue locktite on the reciever screws and the dnz doesnt move. or at least mine hasnt.

[GregC]

I pulled the trigger (parden the pun) on the DNZ so I am looking forward to testing it out on my LTR.

[sk8804]

congrats, i know you will love it. Post back with your results.

[Bongos]

Sorry I'm late to this post, I am not familiar with the DNZ but I am familiar with TPS products and these are the Rings and Base lots of LE Agencies are using, get the steel ones, fairly reasonably affordable compared to leupold, nightforce and USO.

[CSTactical]

20moa on the base would be a good way to go and as for the rings for a 50mm you could go as low as 0.823" but just to stay safe 0.885" center height.

Mike @ CST

[GregC]

Nobody had the TPS bases in stock so I ended up deciding to try the DNZ one piece mount. A 20 MOA slope may be overkill for a .223 with a 20 inch barrel since accuracy drops off when the 20 MOA distance kicks in.

[GregC]

I have one last question before I mount my scope. Has anyone used a DNZ and found that it leaves ring marks on their scope?

[sk8804]

Originally Posted by GregC

I have one last question before I mount my scope. Has anyone used a DNZ and found that it leaves ring marks on their scope?

I have removed my nikon buckmasters from my dnz rings on my savage .243 and it did not leave a single mark. And the cap bolts were torqued to 25in lb. and also the rings were right out of the box. They did not need to be lapped.

[GregC]

Originally Posted by sk8804

I have removed my nikon buckmasters from my dnz rings on my savage .243 and it did not leave a single mark. And the cap bolts were torqued to 25in lb. and also the rings were right out of the box. They did not need to be lapped.

Thanks, that is awesome news. Is 25 pounds the recommended torque for both the ring caps and base?

[sk8804]

Originally Posted by GregC

Thanks, that is awesome news. Is 25 pounds the recommended torque for both the ring caps and base?

Yes, the box recommends 22-25 in. lb for caps and base screws. They say no locktite needed but I put a small dab on the base screws but not the cap screws.

[sk8804]

so what did you think?

[GregC]

I received the mount and it looks great. I did not have a chance to try it out before I left on vacation for 1 1/2 weeks. Now that I am back I plan to mount a scope and try my new toy at the range. I will reply on this thread after I try it out.

[GregC]

I got my scope mounted yesterday and I went out to the range today to try it out. I was very happy with the quality and fit and finish of the mount. I snapped some photos and also included some pictures of my best 5-shot groups from 100 yards.

[sk8804]

I told ya youd love em. Id never get rid of mine. awesome shootin and good lookin gun.