i'm probably stupid

T

terryhawk

Guest
but, today i bought a cooper model 21 chambered in 223 at a gun show.as i was looking over the condition of the gun itself which by the way is near perfect i didnt pay much attention to the scope bases .hence my ? the bases are 2pc the front base looks like a typical dovetail base the rear base however looks similar except no hole just two large adjustment screws on the right and left of the base what have i got? thanks to all for any info
 
You have Leupold bases - any sporting goods store should have the rings for them. The rear bases have the screws so that you can have the scope optically centered and make the rough windage adjustment with the screws and do the final adjustment with the windage adjustment on the scope.

CAUTION - When turning the front ring into the dovetail - DO NOT use the scope as a lever to do this, turn it in using a dowel or something similar. Using the scope to turn the ring in can bend the scope tube.
 
Windage adjustable bases.

That's what you have by your description. Now, depending on what you decide for a scope, you have to decide on ring height.
If you're gonna put a scope with a large "objective" bell dia. you will probably need HIGH rings. Medium height rings for up to 44mm dia. Scopes with less than 44mm dia. objective lense will usually take low rings.

Calumet
 
Windage adjustable bases.

That's what you have by your description. Now, depending on what you decide for a scope, you have to decide on ring height.
If you're gonna put a scope with a large "objective" bell dia. you will probably need HIGH rings. Medium height rings for up to 44mm dia. Scopes with less than 44mm dia. objective lense will usually take low rings.

Calumet
 
You might think about replacing those windage bases, particularly if you're planning on using the rifle a lot. They're the least "reliable" type of bases available, and in my opinion, a poor design that is almost guaranteed to let you down if used long enough. There are many low cost alternatives that would serve you better.
 
Leupold base

drover said:
You have Leupold bases - any sporting goods store should have the rings for them. The rear bases have the screws so that you can have the scope optically centered and make the rough windage adjustment with the screws and do the final adjustment with the windage adjustment on the scope.

CAUTION - When turning the front ring into the dovetail - DO NOT use the scope as a lever to do this, turn it in using a dowel or something similar. Using the scope to turn the ring in can bend the scope tube.
Click to expand...

That is a feature that has always bothered me with these rings; using the rear windage screws for rough adjustment. That is going to produce a considerable amount of unwanted torque to the scope tube. I wonder how many scopes have been damaged by using those windage screws?

Lou Baccino
Chino69
 
The front ring pivots with the adjustment. These are the best. I have gone to this system exclusively for my own stuff. There is nothing but good news with this system.
 
As an alternative base Warne makes a base for the Cooper, it is similar to a Weaver base except it is made from steel rather than aluminum, and of course it accepts any Weaver style ring. I use these on my Coopers because I also am not a fan of the Leupold style bases, I believe they are available from Midway, and I am sure that they are available from Lock, Stock, and Barrel.
 
Proper instalation is the key to long term reliability with the Leupold system.

TIP; rather than adjusting windage screws with the scope mounted, I use a 1" diameter alluminum rod 30" long. I place the rod in the ring bottoms and adjust the screws so the rod is centered above the barrel at the muzzle. I then tighten the rear ring screws, don't overdue it or the bottom of the ring "burs up". Lap the ring bottom halves, and mount the glass. no more windage adjustments are needed with the 2 screws.
 
Ring mounts

Consider using the Burris Signature rings, for the "standard", not Weaver base, and you have additional windage and elevation adjustments available, using the off-set ring inserts, and the additional benefit of no ring marks on the scope tube, even when properly lapping.
 
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Several of the guys have brought up some great points of the draw backs of the Leupold system.
You should switch them out for some Warne rings and bases.
I had two Leupold rear rings shear off from the windage screws. I had a Nightforce 8x32 on a lightweight 300 win mag and I think the recoil was too much for the Leupold set up. I changed to Warne and have never had another problem. I like the idea that they are steel and not aluminum.
I would also recommend a 1 piece base if you can find one for your rifle. The less stuff to move around the better in my opinion.
 
erratum

drover said:
You have Leupold bases
Click to expand...

Actually, these are 'Redfield' style bases, as compared to the original 'Weaver' style base with the cross-slot feature.

Leupold makes Redfield and Weaver style bases, as do lots of companies. But Leupold didn't originate this design.

As to which specific brand of bases you have, don't know, biut it doesn't really matter... :)
 
You will be fine with that base. I have seen these setups fail, but that's due to heavy recoil. The ears usually shear off. You won't have that problem with 223.
 
what i do

Bill you are correct in calling that system the redfield type.
next, how i mount this system is to place a really light coating of rig on the dovetail. i use an old tooth brush and just brush it with a light coat of the rig in the brush bristles. next i spin on the front ring first with a 3/4 in hardwood dowel. next i place the rearon the base and finger tighten the base screws till they contact the notches in the bottom of the ring. now i check the alignment with aluminum scope alignment bars. next i lap rings if needed. then install scope into rings. last bore sight scope, use the windage screws for rough windage. dont forget to use lock tight ( blue or purple) on the screw threads and torque to proper tightness. if there is any sort of weakness in this system it is probably because of improper mounting or some kind of pseudo-techno thinking not practical usage. Fred
 
I have rings as described on a 03 and it works just fine. The screws in the rings have an odd size on mine 5/44 and that makes them REDFIELD.
 
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