I had posted this question as a PM to a member here, but figured I would post it to the forum and see what people had for suggestions.

 

I put together a precision AR fairly cheaply and am now at the point where I am trying to figure out optics mounting options. I already have EGW heavy duty 30mm scope rings. But I need a scope mount/riser. I don't want to break the bank, but would like a decent mount for it. I am even open to not using my EGW rings, and getting a one piece mount (integrated rings and mount) if that is the better solution. 
Any thoughts? By the way, the scope is a SWFA SS 10x42. 

Don't use a riser. There is no point in adding more stacking tolerances and more screws and more joints to a precision setup (or any setup really). Buy a scope mount of the correct height. In the "huh, but actually, this is really good for the money" range I have to say I'm really digging the new Aero Precision mount I recently got, and its like $100 or so.

Don't use a riser. There is no point in adding more stacking tolerances and more screws and more joints to a precision setup (or any setup really). Buy a scope mount of the correct height. In the "huh, but actually, this is really good for the money" range I have to say I'm really digging the new Aero Precision mount I recently got, and its like $100 or so.

 

Thanks Vlad. The EGW rings I have are leftovers from a bolt gun where I was using a 20 MOA rail. They aren't tall enough on their own, but I can see how stacking up screwed together objects might not lend itself to good repeatability. 

I use a Primary Arms brand extended mount, ($59.) it will put the centerline of the scope 1 1/2" above the rail.

Don't use a riser. There is no point in adding more stacking tolerances and more screws and more joints to a precision setup (or any setup really). Buy a scope mount of the correct height. In the "huh, but actually, this is really good for the money" range I have to say I'm really digging the new Aero Precision mount I recently got, and its like $100 or so.

 

Vlad, which version did you get? My scope has a 4" eye relief an I am almost a "nose to charging handle" shooter. Is there an advantage to using the extended or SPR version with the forward bias, when you could simply move the mount up further forward instead? Is it to avoid having the mount bridge the receiver/rail gap for long scopes? 

The Aero Precision would be a great choice for the AR and the SWFA and keep weight down on your basic carbine concept at the same time. With the 10x42 scope and your shooting style, you'd want the extended mount to push the scope as far forward as possible. The regular mount is fine for a shorter 1x4, but a larger 6x and up would need an extended mount.

 

https://www.primaryarms.com/AERO_PRECISION_ULTRALIGHT_30MM_SCOPE_MOUNT_p/ap210500.htm

 

only $85 but out of stock from this vendor

You can only move the mount so far forward. You shouldn't mount your scope to the handguard rail (they flex) so there is only so much space to use. I have a Vortex 1-6 Razor II mounted in a SPR version , which is a fairly long scope for its size and has about 4" of eye relief and I wish the scope mount was MORE extended then it is, but just a bit. No way I could shoot it NTCH. 

Chris - You should be able to do this with just rings.

 

AR stocks, being low, a 42mm scope is nice.  I would try and do it with just the right height rings.

 

Now it also depends on your scope.  If you can slide it forward enough.

 

Play with you existing rings even if they may not be high enough and see if you can position you scope with the rings on the rail.

I've been very happy w. my Burris PEPR mount on a scoped AR.  http://www.opticsplanet.com/burris-ar-tactical-mounts.html

 

Nice quality w/o breaking the bank.

I've been very happy w. my Burris PEPR mount on a scoped AR. http://www.opticsplanet.com/burris-ar-tactical-mounts.html

 

Nice quality w/o breaking the bank.

I have the qd version too

I have the qd version too

 

PERPs are great if you're shooting heads up (low power) but too high for cheek weld.

 

I actually pad my stocks for high power scopes.

Here is the question. Is the riser one that has real estate over the handrail? Is your front ring forward of the receiver? If the answer is yes, then you will need an extended 1 piece mount. If the answer is no, then you may be able to use med high or high rings. How much height does your current riser add and what is the hight of your current rings? Does that height work for you? Does the bell of your optic clear your handguard? In addition, make sure your eye relief works in all positions. It might be ok from the bench but go prone and make sure eye relief is good their too.

 

 

edited to add a lot of posts have transpired since I forgot to hit submit . Ill catch up as soon as possible...

Chris - You should be able to do this with just rings.

 

AR stocks, being low, a 42mm scope is nice.  I would try and do it with just the right height rings.

 

Now it also depends on your scope.  If you can slide it forward enough.

 

Play with you existing rings even if they may not be high enough and see if you can position you scope with the rings on the rail.

 

 

Thanks Frank. I did actually attempt this just to get a feel for how much more lift I would want and front-to-back positioning. With my current rings, the objective just barely clears the handrail. I was thinking about how high the rings would need to be to get the correct height. I would think at some point, as you increase the ring height you are also increasing the flex and wobble (i.e. decreasing the force needed to apply a given amount of torque).

Thanks Frank. I did actually attempt this just to get a feel for how much more lift I would want and front-to-back positioning. With my current rings, the objective just barely clears the handrail. I was thinking about how high the rings would need to be to get the correct height. I would think at some point, as you increase the ring height you are also increasing the flex and wobble (i.e. decreasing the force needed to apply a given amount of torque).

 

Don't worry about ring height and wobble. You're not going to use the scope for a carry handle.

If your rings clear the handguard by .015" you're fine. (an arbitrary number)

Two things I consider a concern.

Excessive ring height and getting cheek weld.  And getting proper eye relief.

Well that will also depend from person to person. For example to get my eye low enough without having some form of rise, I'm touching the stock with orbital cavity, not my cheek. Specially if he wants to shoot nose to charging handle, and he is shaped like most humans, his eye kind has to be about 1.5 inches above the his nose so .... 

Which causes me to lean towards one piece mounts. High rings tend to be in the 1.25 range and mounts are in the 1.5 range and of course give you forward extension. So then the question becomes QD or non QD?

Which causes me to lean towards one piece mounts. High rings tend to be in the 1.25 range and mounts are in the 1.5 range and of course give you forward extension. So then the question becomes QD or non QD?

 

That was the only thing I knew for sure when I started this thread. No need for QD!   

I have never used this mount but I do know they make quality stuff. So for your consideration:

 

http://www.jprifles.com/buy.php?item=JPFTSM-30/1E