Henry Rifle Forums

I'm considering the addition of a Leupold VX-3i 2.5 - 8 x 36 to my .45-70
I really like the Leupold bases and their dove tail mounting rings.
The online Henry store has a Leupold standard base LSBH009/H010 which appears to have a dove tail
hole for the front ring, but has a couple of screws for the rear ring.

Can anyone help me with what mounting ring is used for the rear on that base? A picture would
be helpful. I've also seen that a Weaver 63B style mount will fit the H010, I'm not familiar
with this style of base or the rings used with it. Any input will be welcomed.

.
Sorry not a base I'm familiar with.

Stray Cat wrote: ↑

Fri Dec 20, 2019 7:28 pm

...

Have you thought about using the Talley mounts. There simple and work great

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 21, 2019 11:56 am

Have you thought about using the Talley mounts. There simple and work great

Hadn't thought of them until you mentioned it...sort of thinking of a Skinner Express Peep with Talley QD rings.
I haven't used a QD style of scope mount, maybe they are better today than 10+ years ago.
My intent is to improve my accuracy (with my eyes) and still maintain a hunting platform made in the U.S.A.

I've decided to use a Warne base and their permanent Maxima horizontal rings. In doing all of this mounting research I also
popped for a Tipton gun vise, Wheeler alignment tools, level system, and torque tool. I'll post some pictures
once the job is complete.

Stray Cat wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 24, 2019 6:48 am

In doing all of this mounting research I also popped for a Tipton gun vise, Wheeler alignment tools, level system, and torque tool.

we have and use all of them and, used correctly, all of these specialty tools can really come in handy ....

That Leupold base described is the standard Redfield/Leupold/Burris design originally developed by Redfield. The dovetail front ring secures the scope, while the two screws on the rear base provided for some windage adjustment (remember that some early scopes had only vertical internal adjustment), but the rear ring therefore does not provide as secure of attachment as the front ring, so, with significant recoil, a scope can "walk" through the rear ring's base. Only happened to me once, sighting in a Remington 600 .308 (a light little rifle that kicked like a mule) for my brother. Using old school Weaver rings and bases cured it, as would Warne. Good decision for a 45-70 . Still, I like that design, and a double dovetail version, which is available for quite a few rifles, would be really strong.

Yornoc3 wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 26, 2019 11:48 am

That Leupold base described is the standard Redfield/Leupold/Burris design originally developed by Redfield. The dovetail front ring secures the scope, while the two screws on the rear base provided for some windage adjustment (remember that some early scopes had only vertical internal adjustment), but the rear ring therefore does not provide as secure of attachment as the front ring, so, with significant recoil, a scope can "walk" through the rear ring's base. Only happened to me once, sighting in a Remington 600 .308 (a light little rifle that kicked like a mule) for my brother. Using old school Weaver rings and bases cured it, as would Warne. Good decision for a 45-70 . Still, I like that design, and a double dovetail version, which is available for quite a few rifles, would be really strong.

I used the Leupold dovetail base and rings on my Thompson Triumph. I liked the look of it and seemed pretty stout when I mounted the scope.
Recently I learned more about the alignment and lapping of the rings before mounting the scope. I noted in one of the videos on
Warne's website that says lapping isn't necessary with their rings. I'm not sure how you can tell if it is necessary...I presume use the lapping bar for a minute or two and then check for contact inside the ring?

I think that the Warne rings are kind of "self aligning" in that they tighten horizontally, rather than vertically, to their bases, so would be less likely to stress the scope tube. But that's a wild guess on my part, because I've opted to use other rings that tighten vertically with Warne bases, because I prefer more compact types (Burris Zee, for example) than Warne's. Those I've lapped a bit, but they didn't need much. For one thing, I think modern manufacturing results in much closer tolerances for both rifle receivers and their rings/bases.; truing things up is still a really good idea, though.

Ive got a set of the Warne quick disconnect rings I like alot. Fit right onto any picatinnny rail. Yes there bigger than your standard zee rings but they sure give you some versatility.

good to see that you are giving serious consideration to optics and mounts that are designed to stand up to the forces of heavy recoil

JEBar wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 28, 2019 2:37 pm

good to see that you are giving serious consideration to optics and mounts that are designed to stand up to the forces of heavy recoil

There are so many good optics choices today, and price ranges. I was glad to see Talley and Warne are made in the U.S. to keep
the rifle "Made In America Or Not At All" mantra going.

I finally made the time to mate the scope up to my 45-70. The only challenge I had was removing the factory installed receiver screws. Two of them were WOW tight! I was glad that I ponied up for Wheeler's gunsmith screwdrivers, they payed for them self today.
The scope is a Leupold VX3i 2.5-8x 36 with the Duplex Reticle and their flip up lens covers. I used Warne's Maxima base and rings; true to their claim, they didn't require lapping. When I checked the alignment, my Wheeler alignment pointers were point to point. I checked the reticle against my Leupold bore sight tool, ten clicks of windage and 8 down clicks had it centered. I'm pretty confident it'll be on paper and I won't have to chase it to find zero. Overall I'm very pleased with how it all came together, using the proper tools made it even more enjoyable. Hope the pictures download ok should anyone else need a reference to what scoping a H010 looks like. Hope to get to the range soon.

NICE .... very nice indeed .... looking forward to following your range reports and use impressions

Yes, that came together nicely. I have a similar Leupold on my Henry .45 Colt. Big improvement in my shooting. That does look good.

It looks really good. Nice looking gun vise, too .

I may end up going a similar route later on. My original plan was a Holosun #512 sight. After I read the fine print, it said it was for small to medium bore guns. Doubt it could handle the 45/70.

BigAl52 wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 28, 2019 12:53 pm

Ive got a set of the Warne quick disconnect rings I like alot. Fit right onto any picatinnny rail. Yes there bigger than your standard zee rings but they sure give you some versatility.

Me too! I am a huge fan, but they have one glaring problem. The little mounting levers are SHARP!. I have had three sets over the years, and they still make them this way. I round the 90 degree corners and the straight edges with a fine file and sand them smooth with 400 wet or dry paper, then touch up with cold blue. I love the QD rings since I can safely store and transport the optic with little risk of damage to it, and the scope is out of the way when working on or cleaning the gun.

I have never needed to lap Warne rings when they are mounted onto a quality base. Cheapo off-brand aluminum rings, for sure.... some of those are scary out of alignment. You do not need to wreck the factory bluing or anodizing by testing with lapping compound on the Wheeler rod. Use some non-drying engineers blue dye to check for high spots and even contact.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineer%27s_blue

https://smile.amazon.com/Permatex-80038 ... r=8-1&th=1

It comes in other colors like yellow, but they are a little harder to source.

John Davies
Spokane WA

John E Davies wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 17, 2020 1:45 pm

I have never needed to lap Warne rings when they are mounted onto a quality base. Cheapo off-brand aluminum rings, for sure.... some of those are scary out of alignment. You do not need to wreck the factory bluing or anodizing by testing with lapping compound on the Wheeler rod. Use some non-drying engineers blue dye to check for high spots and even contact.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineer%27s_blue
John Davies
Spokane WA

I was quite impressed how the alignment of the mount and rings were spot on. When you think about it...the receiver is manufactured by Henry, the mount and rings by Warne, both of them held their tolerances during machining and the fit was perfect. American craftsmanship is alive and well, wish more people would appreciate it.

After I installed the scope I realized my thumb was going to have a challenge pulling the hammer back. I checked into a couple of different styles and decided on the Grovtec extension. I ordered it from the Henry Store before it closed for CV-19. It is a very nice fit, I will not have a problem with access to the hammer now. A simple little accessory that makes a big difference