Best mount?

[sunborder]

I do not know where you get your information, but you should expand your horizon.

http://swfa.com/Burris-AR-PEPR-QD-30...nt-P48180.aspx

95 bucks, and it'll do just fine.

Um, that's not the "$50 burris" mount that was referenced in the post above. Also, as has been mentioned, don't expect it to return to zero. Apples & oranges & bananas.

The 200 number I was getting was me thinking of the "best" qd mounts. The ones that come to mind are bobro, gdi, larue and adm. With the adm is the cheapest of the bunch (price, not quality) at 180ish for their cantilever mount it will probably get to close to 200 with shipping.

As for the qd... If this is a range rifle, well let's be real. it take a whole minute to remove a non qd mount/rings. this can easily be done during a cease fire with time to spare. If someone wants to be extra anal on their group size and return to zero, bring a torque screwdriver to the range and it will return to zero just as good as any qd mount will. qd is nice, but not needed unless you are changing optics multiple times a day every time you go out. now that is my opinion and others will differ which is fine.

the main reason I say don't waste the money on a mount with that scope is because you are right about it being a hassle selling a mount you no longer need. hell I'm trying to sell one right (weirdly enough is because I'm trying to get away from qd mounts). all my point is that the trend for optics seems to be moving to a 34mm main tube right now, and if the op decides to upgrade to a scope with this diameter, this new mount will be pointless (unless it is the adm which had the ability to change tube diameters). so why limit your choices for an optic based on a mount size you have.

now if the op has an extra 30mm optic that has a mount that could use it in case this one no longer can be used for a new setup, then I say go for the one that gets you everything you want. i could justify that to myself. And even if there isn't one that can use if and he wants if well I say go for it, it never hurts to have quality parts on your rig. Just because I wouldn't do it doesn't mean is a wrong choice.

If he wants the dual mounts, then yes, he's probably looking at $179, but if he goes for the single lever (since he doesn't want the bigger scopes), he could get away with $149. If you want to throw shipping in there, then you have to do it for all the others, as well. Apples & oranges, and all that.

The 34mm main tubes are becoming popular with the higher-magnification scopes. I'm not seeing much of that with the 1-6x right now, which is what the OP said he wants to replace the PA scope with. He just wants better glass, not bigger mag, so 34mm unlikely to be needed. As for changing the ring size, I guess you could, but it's probably more trouble than it's worth. At that point, if it came to it, repurpose the mount or sell it, and get the factory 34mm mount.

The weird thing about the mounts is that they may hold zero, but they don't tend to hold value the way the actual glass does. Nobody seems to want to pay for used mounts, since they are an "accessory."

[thenotoriousmo]

i not sure what we are debating about anymore, but I think we are trying to say the same thing. I was only using the 200 dollar number because with other 3 mounts I listed, the next cheapest to get world be the larue, and those typically start at around 200 from what I remember and then they just go up from there. The gdi mounts which, I feel are the best of the best for qd mounts, go for around what, 500? so the 200 dollar price was just a quick number of the top of my head to give an estimate as to what to elect for a quality mount.

I've just noticed that as soon as you get slightly above the 1x power but still below 10, then every seems everything new seems to now 34mm. with leupold being and industry leader with plenty of military contacts for their optics, their low power mark 6/8 series are all 34mm. While they may be out of the price range for most, including me, I only see other manufactures continuing the trend. off topic, i am personally glad that vortex decided to stay with a 30mm tube as I will be replacing their 1-4 pst with the 1-6 razor. These low power optics are already getting heavier and heavier with every new generation. Why add more weight with a 34mm tube. but that is a completely different topic and I do hope I am wrong with this trend for 1x variable scopes.

And I competently agree that scope mounts, while they do a very important job, are just accessories. And no matter what with anything, if you sell it used you will take a loss. If you don't think you will be able to re purpose the mount and the current setup will only be used for a short time, why go big on something that may just be sitting in a cabinet unto you sell or reuse it

[SuperSet]

You can definitely save on weight, if you decide to go with the non-QD Aero mount. Supposedly, they're also working on a QD version.

Also, if you want a light 1-6x, you're going to have to spend more money. Both the Swarovski Z6i BRT and Kahles K16i are 17oz so significantly lighter than anything USO or Vortex-produced.