So picked up a new Winchester 70 Extreme Weather in 6.5 Creedmoor yesterday. Haven't decided on a scope yet, but while my bank account is still recovering I do have a Nikon 6.5-20X target scope that I can mount on it just to get it out to the range and see how it does. Too much scope for a sporter rifle, but it gets me out on the range with it.

The scope already has Warne quick detach steel rings on it so I would just need to get bases on the rifle for now. Debating to go with steel or aluminum bases. On one hand I like the durability of steel. On the other it is a relatively light rifle at 6 pounds 12 ounces, so thinking of making it a lightweight mountain hunting rig and eventually going with aluminum rings when I decide on a scope.

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It seems to me that aluminum rings are very common these days and if there was a problem with them, we’d know about it considering how long they’ve been around. And I can’t help but believe that if aluminum is okay for rings, especially on a rifle chambered for a cartridge known for its moderate recoil, then aluminum should be fine for the base. If you drop the rifle and the scope does not get ripped off only because of a steel base, I believe you would have other concerns as well.

On the other hand, I don’t know what type of base you’ll be getting, but if it’s something like a Picatinny rail or Weaver plates, how much actual difference in weight would there be between aluminum or steel for such relatively small parts? If it’s only a few ounces and you’d be more comfortable with steel, I’d get steel.

So, how’s that for waffling?

You could go to Cabela’s and ask the guy at the gun counter.

Sorry, just read your other post about your purchase experience of this rifle.

Just ordered the aluminum bases from Warner’s website. It’s a sporter weight rifle and current thinking is that it will be a range toy and a lightweight mountain rifle if needed. Looking at scopes I was really surprised at the weight difference between the Leupold VX-3 and VX-5 scopes, 14 vs. 20 ounces. So thinking I’m going to stay with the lightweight theme and go with aluminum rings and bases and the VX-3HD 3.5-10X 40mm scope. So bases are on order, I’ll mount the Nikon scope I already own and take it to the range to see what the rifle is capable of before buying a new scope.

I’m no optics expert, but my immediate thought was that a scope with a higher magnification range, e.g., 1-5×, will have more lenses and perhaps other components than one with a smaller magnification range such as 1-3×. A scope with “side focus” (as Leupold calls it, or parallax adjustment as it’s also termed) will also be more complex mechanically.

According to AI Copilot, all that’s true, so more stuff inside the scope, the more it will weigh.

It would be interesting to know how accurately/precisely the rifle performs with good ammunition. I haven’t paid any attention to rifles intended strictly for hunting in a very long time, but in general rifles and ammunition have improved so much in recent decades that I would expect it to do well. Keep us posted.

As a further thought about bases, the strength of the mounting of a scope base to a rifle is almost entirely due to the mounting screws, and they’re going to be the same regardless of whether the base is aluminum or steel.

Often for rings I start with a look at Warne, there are a handful of others in the $35-$50 range. The same with bases, if not included.

Over the years I’ve accumulated some mid level, Zeiss, Leupold, Burris & others.

I bought a new rifle last Spring & put a Leopold 4.5-14 pwr scope I had laying around. It’s a little ‘overscoped’ for shooting under 140 yards, but working well.

In general, with a little age, I prefer more magnification. I’m not big on taking fleeting shots at game anyway.

I was just texting with a friend that is trying to set up a new rifle, not sure where to start. I may offer him a budget setup to try. Over the years I’ve collected a few scopes that came on used rifles, budget lines. I think I’ll look over one of the better ones and offer it up. Truth be known, for the average 50 shot at a deer, likely work just fine. I won’t let him look through one of my better Zeiss scopes to compare.