One-piece vs. two-piece bases?

G

Gary O

Guest
I was taught years ago that a one-piece scope base caused unwanted tension on a bolt gun unless you got lucky and your action was perfectly forged and drilled. Over on another forum the one piece guys think that is the only way to go. What say you? Is my understanding correct? Thanks...
 
Anytime you bolt two pieces of steel, or any material, together you create stress in both parts. The question becomes whether you have created any meaningful stress. With two piece bases you are bolting the scope to the receiver so this creates stress in scope and receiver. Again the question is, have you created any significant stress in the parts. If either case is analyzed I believe unless you have some very stiff parts badly misaligned you would find there is essentially no stress to worry about with either one piece or two piece base.
 
I prefer 2 piece for diff reasons, such as easyier to load, easyier to clean plus on most you are using 4 screws as opposed to 3 screws in a 1 piece base. That being said you can use " plastic gauge" to check for uneveness and stress in a 1 piece base.........My new 40x the "Grasshopper" will have a handlapped set on 2 piece mounted on it.......Ernie
 
What if you didn't NEED to...........

lap the rings? Suppose there WAS a one-piece base w/four screws? Suppose you COULD get the rough windage w/BOTH rings? NAH!! Guys'd still buy Chink-o aluminum; what was I THINKing??? :D:D;)
 
pretty simple way to determine any stresses or alignment problems and wether to lap or not. measure the distance between bases at the base of the rings and compare to the measurements at the top. you would be suprised at how many rings are pulled or pushed one way or the other. and if you don't think that causes stress think again.
 
To Martin...

A difference in spacing at top of rings as compared to bottom is a slight stress causing condition. Normally however, it would be of no consequence. The effect would be similar to a small temperature difference between scope and receiver. So you have to have either a big temperature difference , or a big misalignment for this to cause a problem.
 
I always figured a one piece would add support for the action with the weight of the barrel possibly distorting it ?
 
pacecil, when the rifle is sitting there being happy isn't the problem with the stress. once the trigger is pulled that's where the real stress that affects accuracy. guys can use whatever bridges, risers, plastic inserts, one peice bases all they want it's their rifle their targets their scores. I just will keep on lapping and if neccesary using jb weld to bed. but I will never use a bridge, plastic insert or one peice base on a bench rest rifle for plinking yes but bench no. to each their own.
 
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