The Legacy and the Limitation of the Lever Action
The venerable lever action rifle, a symbol of the American West and a favorite among hunters and shooting enthusiasts, offers a unique blend of classic design and modern functionality. While known for its reliability and rapid-fire capabilities, the lever action rifle’s design presents a challenge when it comes to mounting optics. This article delves into the world of lever action scope mounts, providing a comprehensive guide to selecting the perfect mount to enhance your rifle’s accuracy and performance.
The enduring popularity of the lever action rifle stems from its historical significance, its smooth action, and its inherent suitability for various shooting disciplines. From the Winchester Model 1873, that legendary rifle of the American frontier, to modern iterations chambered for powerful cartridges, lever actions have a storied past. Their enduring appeal stems from a combination of rugged reliability, simple operation, and a certain romanticism that appeals to shooters of all levels.
However, the design of the lever action rifle poses unique challenges to the process of mounting optics. The primary obstacle is the position of the ejection port, typically located on the top or side of the receiver. This design feature, crucial for the rifle’s smooth operation, restricts the space available for scope mounting. The top of the receiver, where a scope would normally be mounted on other rifle types, is often partially occupied or completely inaccessible.
Furthermore, the limited real estate available for mounting means that the scope must be positioned carefully to ensure proper eye relief, allowing the shooter to quickly acquire the target and maintain a comfortable shooting posture.
Navigating the World of Lever Action Scope Mounts
The good news is that several specialized lever action scope mounts are available to address these challenges, allowing you to equip your rifle with the optics it deserves. These mounts vary significantly in design, features, and functionality. Selecting the right one requires careful consideration of your rifle model, intended use, the type of optic you plan to mount, and your personal preferences.
Understanding Different Mount Types
Top Mounts: A Familiar Approach
Top mounts, often the most common type of lever action scope mount, attach to the top of the rifle’s receiver. These mounts usually utilize either one-piece or two-piece designs. One-piece mounts offer a more rigid and stable platform, often preferred for heavier scopes or situations demanding greater accuracy. Two-piece mounts, on the other hand, provide more flexibility in terms of scope positioning and can sometimes accommodate longer scopes. When choosing a top mount, the material is an important consideration, with aluminum mounts often favored for their weight and price and steel mounts offering superior durability but adding weight to the system. The finish also matters; a matte black finish is a popular choice to minimize glare.
Side Mounts: A Traditional Alternative
Side mounts represent a more traditional approach to mounting optics on lever action rifles. These mounts attach to the side of the receiver, typically utilizing a bracket that clamps onto the receiver’s surface. Side mounts can offer a low-profile mounting solution and can often clear the ejection port effectively. However, the side-mounted design might necessitate a scope with a specific offset to allow for proper aiming. The aesthetic aspect is another consideration here. Some prefer the classic look of a side mount.
Scout Mounts: The Forward-Mounted Solution
Scout mounts are designed to be mounted forward of the action, typically on the barrel or a specially designed handguard. This configuration places the scope further away from the shooter’s eye, enabling a wider field of view, which is often desired for rapid target acquisition in hunting situations. Scout mounts require a scope with extended eye relief.
The advantage of a scout scope setup includes quicker target acquisition due to the wider field of view. The scout setup is often favored for hunting in dense brush or for tactical applications where situational awareness is paramount. Scout scopes also tend to minimize the risk of hitting the shooter’s eye with the scope during recoil.
Rail Options: Versatility and Customization
Picatinny and Weaver rails provide an adaptable mounting platform for scopes and various accessories. These rails can be attached to the receiver of your lever action rifle using screws. This provides maximum flexibility as users can utilize many different scope rings and opt for different mounting heights. They are compatible with a wide range of scopes and accessories, but the mounting system may impact the aesthetics of your lever action rifle. The profile of the rail, such as low-profile, should be considered to maintain the rifle’s original appearance.
Essential Features to Consider
Material Matters: Strength, Weight, and Longevity
The materials used in constructing a lever action scope mount have a direct impact on its performance. Aluminum mounts are lightweight and cost-effective, making them a popular choice. Steel mounts, while heavier, offer increased strength and durability, making them ideal for rifles that experience significant recoil or those that will be subject to harsh conditions. The choice of material should be based on the scope’s weight, the cartridge fired by the rifle, and the intended use. The finish is equally important. A matte finish minimizes glare, and the coating must resist corrosion.
Ease of Installation: Simplicity is Key
The ease of installation is an important consideration. Some mounts require minimal tools and a straightforward process, which makes them suitable for a do-it-yourself approach. Others might require more complex procedures or professional installation. Evaluate your mechanical skills and available tools before choosing a mount. Carefully following the manufacturer’s instructions is always critical.
Scope Compatibility: Finding the Right Fit
Before purchasing a lever action scope mount, make sure it is compatible with your scope. Pay attention to the tube size and the objective lens diameter of the scope. The height of the mount is a critical factor here. The mount’s height will determine the clearance between the scope’s objective lens and the rifle’s barrel and ensure that the scope is correctly aligned with the shooter’s eye.
Eye Relief and Field of View: Optimizing the Viewing Experience
Proper eye relief is critical for comfortable and accurate shooting. The mount must allow for the scope to be positioned to provide sufficient eye relief for your scope. The chosen lever action scope mount should provide a wide field of view to give a clear picture, especially for hunters or shooters who need to acquire targets quickly. This ensures that you can quickly acquire a target and maintain a comfortable shooting posture.
Secure Securement: The Foundation of Accuracy
The mounting system, whether screws, clamps, or a combination, must provide a secure and stable platform. The scope mount must be reliably attached to the receiver to withstand the recoil generated by the rifle. A loose mount will cause the scope to shift, impacting accuracy and making it frustrating to zero.
Making the Right Choice
Your Rifle and the Mount: Compatibility Check
Choosing the right lever action scope mount begins with a careful review of your rifle model. Researching mounting options designed specifically for your lever action is crucial. Verify that the mount will properly fit your particular receiver. Manufacturer specifications are essential when choosing a mount, as the fit can vary considerably.
Intended Use: The Driving Factor
Consider how you plan to use your lever action. Is it for hunting, target shooting, or some other purpose? The intended use dictates the features you need. For hunting, a lightweight, durable mount that provides quick target acquisition may be prioritized. For precision shooting, a robust mount with a secure base that offers a more stable platform is preferable.
Scope Specs: The Data You Need
The weight, size, and magnification of the scope are key factors in choosing the right mount. Heavier scopes might demand a stronger mount. Knowing your scope’s dimensions and weight will make it easier to pick a mount that is the correct height.
Budget: Finding the Sweet Spot
The cost of lever action scope mounts varies widely. Establish a realistic budget and explore your options within that range. Consider the features you need, balance the need for quality and affordability, and don’t sacrifice quality for price.
Care and Maintenance
Cleaning is Key: Keep Your Mount Clean
Regularly clean your lever action scope mount to remove dirt, debris, and any other build-up.
Look for Wear: Inspect Your Mount Regularly
Regularly inspect the mount for wear and tear. Check screws for tightness and ensure that all components are secure.
Conclusion
Selecting the correct lever action scope mount is a crucial step in optimizing the performance of your rifle and enhancing your shooting experience. By considering the types of mounts, key features, and your shooting requirements, you can confidently select a mount that seamlessly integrates with your rifle and scope, elevating your accuracy and enjoyment.
Now you can confidently enhance your lever action rifle with the proper optic setup. By investing a bit of time and research, you will be shooting better than ever. Enjoy your time at the range or in the field.
