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Please explain this to me like I'm an idiot (scope ring/rail related)

Posted on 12/31/25 at 7:37 am
Posted by Loup
Ferriday
Member since Apr 2019
15774 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 7:37 am
Because I am an idiot.

Recently purchased a Bergara Wilderness Sierra in 308 and a Leupold Mark 4 (30 mil of adjustment range) scope. I'm trying to decide if I need a 20 MOA rail or not.

As far as hunting goes I can't see myself taking shots over 300 yards. We do have a powerline set up with targets/steel and often play around with 800+ yard shots for shits and giggles. I'd like to start target shooting more since I enjoy the hell out of it.

I was browsing Hawkins Precision's website and noticed that they have 25 MOA rings that don't require using a rail. Would this mess me up at closer ranges or not be as reliable as a one piece rail set up? If 25 MOA is 7.27 mils, should have enough adjustment with the scope to zero at 100 yards no problem, right?

https://hawkinsprecision.com/product/long-range-hybrid-rings/

If I go with the 0 or 20 MOA rail I'll probably go with these rings.
rpmflg.com

I don't want to cheap out on my scope mount but I also don't want to spend Spuhr money on it if I can avoid it. I figure there are probably a lot of damn good rings/bases in between Monstrum and Spuhr.

Posted by TheBoo
South to Louisiana
Member since Aug 2012
5403 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 8:09 am to
quote:

Bergara Wilderness Sierra in 308

quote:

Leupold Mark 4 (30 mil of adjustment range) scope

quote:

decide if I need a 20 MOA rail

quote:

I can't see myself taking shots over 300 yards

No
Minute of Angle is 1 inch at 100 yards. At 300 yards it's 3 inches. You don't need an extra 20 MOA.
Posted by Loup
Ferriday
Member since Apr 2019
15774 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 8:18 am to
quote:

Minute of Angle is 1 inch at 100 yards. At 300 yards it's 3 inches. You don't need an extra 20 MOA.


even when target shooting a close to 1k? I know I don't need it for hunting, was just wondering if it'd limit me when I'm having fun with it.
Posted by kengel2
Team Gun
Member since Mar 2004
33553 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 8:23 am to
quote:

As far as hunting goes I can't see myself taking shots over 300 yards. We do have a powerline set up with targets/steel and often play around with 800+ yard shots for shits and giggles. I'd like to start target shooting more since I enjoy the hell out of it.



You likely would never realize the benefit for your hunting purposes.

For target shooting, it will keep your adjustments in the middle and not at the extremes.

For all intents and purposes, there is no reason not to do a 20moa base and regular rings. I dont think the 25moa rings are necessary for your purpose unless you already own a 0 moa base.
Posted by TheBoo
South to Louisiana
Member since Aug 2012
5403 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 8:27 am to
If you are shooting 1000 yards with a .308 you'll probably need more.
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
71136 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 8:28 am to
You need to get a good ballistic app and learn how to use it anyway so start there.



Etaa: dont use those numbers. Hornady 4dof sucks. I use strelock but its on my old phone which isnt with me. fricking thing had the bullet weight at 65 grains.

You need 11-ish mils.
This post was edited on 12/31/25 at 8:41 am
Posted by kengel2
Team Gun
Member since Mar 2004
33553 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 8:31 am to
quote:

Leupold Mark 4


Which scope and reticle do you have?
Posted by Loup
Ferriday
Member since Apr 2019
15774 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 8:36 am to
quote:

Which scope and reticle do you have?


Leupold MK4-HD 6-24x52 PR3 Mil Reticle. I wanted the 4.5x18 but got a deal on this one (used) that I couldn't pass up.

Posted by kengel2
Team Gun
Member since Mar 2004
33553 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 8:50 am to
No worries, I just wanted to see the reticle. You also have 14 mils of elevation in your reticle, so you can hold that extra elevation if you want. Only problem would be with the windage at that point, theres no reference for windage in that reticle, if you are holding elevation. Thats where a Christmas tree type helps.
Posted by Loup
Ferriday
Member since Apr 2019
15774 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 8:58 am to
quote:

You need to get a good ballistic app and learn how to use it anyway so start there.


I use the applied ballistics app for my muzzleloader. Just haven't plugged a 308 into it yet. I'll do that now. I know a big reason a lot of folks use the 20/25 moa rails is so that they're crosshair is closer to the center of the scope at range and a clearer picture. Didn't know if it'd be noticeable at close range or not if I go that route.

This post was edited on 12/31/25 at 9:03 am
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
71136 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 9:30 am to
Id get a 0 rail and just crank it for long range. Set it up for your normal hunting situation. Playing around at 800 yards it won't really matter if you lose a little clarity or whatever. Itll easily get there with a 0 rail.

AB is a good one. Repeat: hirnady 4dof sucks.
This post was edited on 12/31/25 at 9:31 am
Posted by Ol boy
Member since Oct 2018
4011 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 9:39 am to
quote:

AB is a good one. Repeat: hirnady 4dof sucks

Was it a glitch in the app?
I have the hornady app and have all my rifles profiles set up in it and never have had an issue.
Helped a buddy set up at rifle for a trip out west and we used hornady for his and one of his buddies swore the hornady was junk so he bought AB. At 700 yards it was like a .25 MOA difference or something like that
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
71136 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 9:45 am to
No, the user interface just sucks.
Posted by hophead
Member since Nov 2007
2030 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 3:14 pm to
With a x52, I think you would want the extra moa because you will have to mount the scope with very high mounts
Posted by btforlsu
Member since Jan 2006
239 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 4:04 pm to
No disadvantage in having the 20 moa rail.
Posted by civiltiger07
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2011
15017 posts
Posted on 12/31/25 at 5:53 pm to
quote:

At 700 yards it was like a .25 MOA difference or something like that


That is an insignificant difference for dope at 700yds.
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