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A couple of the items that I "discovered" at the SHOT Show in New Orleans in January, 2001 have to do with riflescopes. The Spot Sight is a laser device intended to help with checking the zero on your scopes, and it works equally well for boresighting scopes. Warne's Maxima series quick detachable scope mounts are all-steel, compatible with Weaver mounts, well-designed, and competitively priced.
Previous Page - The Spot Sight
Warne Maxima Scope Mounts
Every now and then, something not entirely new, though well-designed, shows up that makes an impression on a shooter -- at least, that's how it sometimes happens with me. More precisely, that's how it happened when I got a chance to try out the newly redesigned Maxima line of scope mounts from Warne.
Designed to be compatible with the ever-popular Weaver-style scope mount bases as well as "picatinny" scope bases, Warne's Maxima all steel scope rings are a step -- no, make that a leap -- above Weaver's own rings. Likewise, their steel bases, designed to accept Weaver-style rings or mounts, beat out the old Weaver standard.
The
cold drawn steel bases are of excellent workmanship -- but what can you mess
up on bases? Not a lot, but their steel bases are much stronger than Weaver's
aluminum bases, and will not allow ring crossbolts to "wallow out"
the crosswise engagement groove in the base, as I've seen happen with Weaver
bases. Warne's nicely machined bases worked equally well with a scope I've been
testing, which uses a Weaver- and picatinny-compatible mount which is integral
with the operation of the scope itself.
The rings are where these new sintered steel Warne mounts really shine. Depending on one's taste, they may appear to be sort of "blonky" when compared with other rings, but I like 'em. They assemble in right and left halves using four screws each. These rings are much stronger than Weaver rings, and there's little worry about stripping threads, unlike when dealing with Weaver's aluminum-and-sheet-metal rings. In fact, the only screw-related warning in the Warne instructions warns against over-torquing the screws, which could break them (always a concern when working with tempered steel screws).
Engagement between ring and base is pretty much rock-solid, and I have had no trouble at all with scope movement. The rings I have are the quick-detachable models -- something which I had never tried before, but have now learned to love. Repeated removal and reinstallation of the scope for cleaning, etc., has not affected its zero in the least. To prevent the scope from "walking" forward or backward during firing, a rectangular steel key engages in the crosswise slot in the base.
There are only two complaints which I have about these rings. First and foremost, in step 1 of the instructions, one is directed to "use the TORX #15 key which you will find in your ring package." My package contained no such key/wrench, and so I used my folding set of TORX wrenches to do the job. Secondly, there is a trade-off when using these mounts and rings, vs. Weaver mounts and rings -- the Warnes are noticeably heavier. One reason for this is that mine are high rings; lower rings will certainly be lighter.
In my case, the added weight is of minor concern, as most of my use of this rifle (Remington M700 in .222 Remington) occurs at the range. For hunting use, I personally feel that the extra few ounces of steel vs. aluminum are acceptable, considering the increased strength of the Warne Maxima mounts.
Truth be told, I don't believe the Warne Maxima system weighs much, if any, more than the popular Redfield or Leupold mounts, and the Warnes allow easy and reliable removal and replacement of the scope where those others do not. Warnes calls for pricing that's "very competitive with standard Redfield and Leupold mounts."
The only other problem I had was with the levers (which are really nifty little boxed-end wrenches) - they like to hang up on stuff. One could easily solve that problem by using a pair of the so-called "permanent" rings and using a TORX wrench to install & remove them.
Warne's Maxima Steel Bases and Rings are a line of product which I can recommend without hesitation. If you feel that the much greater strength and good looks make up for the few ounces of extra weight over aluminum Weaver and Weaver-style mounts make it worth your while, then try a set of Warne's Maxima mounts for yourself. I don't think you'll regret it.
Previous Page - The Spot Sight
-Russ Chastain
