Lapping rings and mounts is dead! Area 419’s mounting systems are precisely machined for optimal fit. As a demonstration, I used a bit and two fingers to tighten each cap. This minimal amount of torque locked in the Telson scope! Read on to learn more about their system.
Disclaimer
Ultimate Reloader LLC / Making with Metal Disclaimer: (by reading this article and/or watching video content you accept these terms). The content on this website (including videos, articles, ammunition reloading data, technical articles, gunsmithing and other information) is for demonstration purposes only. Do not attempt any of the processes or procedures shown or described on this website. All gunsmithing procedures should be carried out by a qualified and licensed gunsmith at their own risk. Do not attempt to repair or modify any firearms based on information on this website. Ultimate Reloader, LLC and Making With Metal can not be held liable for property or personal damage due to viewers/readers of this website performing activities, procedures, techniques, or practices described in whole or part on this website. By accepting these terms, you agree that you alone are solely responsible for your own safety and property as it pertains to activities, procedures, techniques, or practices described in whole or part on this website.
About the Area 419 Scope Mount System
The Area 419 scope mount system starts with mounts. They offer one-piece cantilever and non-cantilevered mounts as well as MATCH and HUNT ring options. These pair with a variety of Area 419 accessories and adapters that allow the user to mount practically anything they could want on their optic.
From Area 419:
Creating an all-in-one solution for you to mount any optic on any rifle. Created to remove any optic movement under fire, reduce weight of your build, and have a sleek look. This is the best way to mount your optic.
Craig Arnzen from Area 419 previously joined us to explain what all goes into their MATCH rings.
Scope rings exist to hold an optic in a straight line with an appropriate amount of grip and force. While this is a simple idea, manufacturing lends itself to the production of disparate parts that will hopefully be square and true when put together. Craig explained that to get a very round and very true hole, the best method is to bore it all in one piece.
Area 419 makes parts in different machines in different operations, but rather than just assembling and sending them out after anodizing, they use custom shims so they can get gaps between the upper and lower caps and clamping force before final boring them. This process gives the rings a raw aluminum internal for additional grip with ring grooves. Each fully-assembled scope ring is final bored as a set then serialized on a laser engraver. This results in rings as true to one another as modern manufacturing will allow.
HUNT scope rings are made in the same way, but are lighter with no ability to attach accessories.
Both MATCH and HUNT rings are offered in a variety of diameters and heights. Note that while both are offered in medium and high heights, these heights are different!!!!
HUNT rings are also available for 1” and 40mm diameter tubes and with an extra low height option.
Area 419 also offers two varieties of one-piece mounts: tactical and cantilevered tactical. Both have the same diameter options as well as 0 MOA and 20 MOA cant options. They both come in medium and high heights, but the medium heights differ.
If you examine all of the combinations of rings and mounts Area 419 offers you’ll come to a whopping 84!
Area 419 Accessories
Designed to enhance the functionality of your rig, Area 419 offers accessories including data holders, diving boards, Picatinny rails, and levels/level mounts.
Data holders offer a very convenient way to store your DOPE for easy access while shooting. DOPE cards are especially popular among precision rifle shooters.
Diving boards allow for the addition of a laser range finder to the top of the scope and Picatinny rails allow for even more rifle customization. Levels and level mounts offer another data point, allowing the shooter to make sure the rifle is level before taking a shot.
The MATCH Offset Mount kits are available in both low or high options with either a 35 degree or 45 degree offset. The 35 degree version fits better on LPVO optics and is better for carbines. The 45 degree version works best on larger magnified optics and is better for bolt guns. The mounts allow for the adjacent mounting of a red dot sight for fast target acquisition.
Scope Install
What would a mounting video be without a demonstration? I applied a light film of grease to the underside of the rail and rocked the one-piece mount into place, pushing it forward to pre-seat the surfaces that will contact under recoil.
Next, I tightened the clamp screws to secure it on the rifle and torqued them to 45 inch-pounds. I removed the scope caps and placed the Telson Target Master inside the rings, taking care to max out the magnification before determining proper eye relief.
When this was set, I replaced the caps, tightened them finger-tight, and slightly backed off the screws.
At this point the scope should be able to spin freely. I leveled the scope and tightened down the ring caps in a criss-cross fashion to their appropriate torque.
For more-detailed scope mounting instructions, reference our video covering best practices!
Conclusion
While there are many rifle accessories, it’s refreshing to see some that optimize scope use. Some find scope mounting intimidating but Area 419’s Scope Mounting System makes it easy.
Get the Gear
Shop all Area 419 scope bases and accessories here!
Area 419 Orange Bench Vise Jaw Kit (Vise not included)
Don’t miss out on Ultimate Reloader updates, make sure you’re subscribed!
Thanks,
Gavin Gear
