The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best One Piece Scope Mount

Table of Contents

Why a Rock-Solid Scope Mount Matters

A scope mount serves a vital function: securely attaching your optical sight to your firearm. It provides the foundation for accurate shot placement. Without a trustworthy mount, your expensive scope becomes practically useless. Imagine a scenario where your scope shifts slightly with each shot. This subtle movement, almost imperceptible to the naked eye, can throw your shots off target, leading to frustration and wasted ammunition.

Beyond simply holding the scope, the best one piece scope mount contributes to overall rifle performance in several key ways:

Accuracy Enhancement: A stable platform ensures consistent scope alignment, leading to improved accuracy. Less movement equals tighter groupings.
Durability and Longevity: A robust mount protects your scope from damage due to recoil and impacts.
Ease of Adjustment: Many mounts provide built-in cant or incline adjustments to compensate for bullet drop at longer ranges, making the process of zeroing your scope much simpler.
Ergonomics and Comfort: The correct mount height allows for proper cheek weld and a comfortable shooting position, vital for reducing fatigue and improving accuracy.

Understanding the One-Piece Advantage

In the world of scope mounts, there are generally two types: two-piece and one-piece. The one-piece scope mount design, as the name suggests, is crafted from a single piece of material, creating a unified and exceptionally stable platform for your scope. But how does it compare to its two-piece counterpart?

The best one piece scope mount often outshines two-piece setups in several important areas:

Superior Rigidity: The single-piece construction minimizes the potential for flex and movement. The scope becomes a more integral part of the rifle, contributing to enhanced accuracy.
Simplified Alignment: With a single base, aligning the scope with the bore of the rifle is usually straightforward. This often means less time spent zeroing your scope at the range.
Reduced Failure Points: A one-piece mount features fewer components compared to a two-piece design. This means there are fewer screws, bolts, and interfaces, reducing the risk of failure under the stress of recoil and repeated use.
Potential Weight Savings: While not always the case, some high-quality one-piece mounts are designed to be lightweight, making them suitable for rifles where minimizing overall weight is critical.
Improved Scope Protection: The design often provides better protection for your scope against impacts, particularly in the event of accidental drops or rough handling.

Essential Features to Scrutinize Before You Buy

Selecting the best one piece scope mount involves careful consideration of several key features. Ignoring these factors can lead to purchasing a mount that’s incompatible with your scope, your rifle, or your shooting needs. Here are the critical elements to evaluate:

Material Matters: Aluminum, Steel, or Something Else?

The material the mount is made from is crucial for durability, weight, and overall performance.

Aluminum Alloys: The best one piece scope mount is often constructed from high-quality aluminum alloys like 6061-T6 or 7075-T6. These materials strike a good balance between strength, weight, and corrosion resistance. They are typically lightweight, making them suitable for hunting rifles and other applications where minimizing weight is important.
Steel: Steel mounts are exceptionally strong and durable, capable of withstanding substantial recoil forces. However, they are typically heavier than aluminum options. If weight isn’t a primary concern, a steel mount can be a reliable choice, especially for high-recoil firearms.
Titanium: Titanium mounts offer an excellent combination of strength, lightness, and corrosion resistance. While the most expensive option, titanium can be a fantastic choice for high-performance rifles where every ounce counts.

Ensuring a Proper Fit: Scope Tube Diameter Compatibility

Your scope’s tube diameter is the first thing to consider. This refers to the diameter of the main tube of your scope. Common sizes include:

One-inch (25.4mm): Found on many older or more budget-friendly scopes.
30mm: The most common size, used on a wide variety of scopes, especially those with larger objective lenses.
34mm: Typically used on high-end scopes, especially those with larger objectives or those designed for long-range shooting.
Other sizes: Some scopes use other diameters, so always check your scope’s specifications.

Choosing a mount with the correct tube diameter ensures a secure and proper fit, allowing the scope to be properly clamped.

The Right Foundation: Mounting System Considerations

The mounting system refers to how the scope mount attaches to your rifle’s receiver. The most common system is the Picatinny rail.

Picatinny/Weaver Rails: These are standard, slotted rails found on the vast majority of modern rifles. The Picatinny rail is slightly more precise than the older Weaver rail but is fully compatible with Weaver accessories.
Proprietary Mounting Systems: Some rifles, particularly certain models from specific manufacturers, may feature proprietary mounting systems. It’s crucial to identify your rifle’s mounting configuration and select a mount designed to fit that system.

Make sure the mount is compatible with your rail type. A mount that doesn’t fit won’t work.

Height Assessment: Achieving the Perfect Cheek Weld

The height of the scope mount is a critical factor in achieving a comfortable and accurate shooting position. The correct height allows for proper cheek weld—the contact between your cheek and the stock—allowing you to quickly acquire the sight picture.

Objective Lens Size: The larger the objective lens (the front lens) of your scope, the higher the mount you’ll generally need to clear the barrel.
Rifle’s Action: The design of your rifle’s action (bolt-action, semi-automatic, etc.) can affect the required mount height.
Ergonomics: A mount that is too low forces you to strain your neck, while a mount that is too high can make it difficult to achieve a consistent cheek weld. Experimentation might be required.

Incorporating Cant: Thinking About MOA

MOA, or Minutes of Angle, refers to the amount of built-in incline or cant the mount provides. This is particularly relevant for long-range shooting.

Zero MOA: Provides no cant.
20 MOA: The most common incline, used to compensate for bullet drop at longer distances, giving you more adjustment range in your scope’s elevation turret.
Higher MOA Options: Some mounts offer even more cant for extremely long-range applications.

Choosing the correct MOA cant depends on your intended shooting distance and the ballistics of your ammunition.

Durability and Finish: Guarding Against the Elements

The best one piece scope mount should be built to withstand the rigors of use, and that includes its finish.

Anodizing: A common finish for aluminum mounts that creates a hard, protective layer that resists scratches and corrosion.
Cerakote: A durable, ceramic-based coating that offers excellent resistance to wear, abrasion, and corrosion.

Prioritize Proven Performance: Brand Reputation and User Reviews

The quality of a scope mount can vary considerably between brands. It’s wise to choose a reputable manufacturer known for producing high-quality, reliable products. Before making a purchase, research the brand and read user reviews. This will provide valuable insights into the mount’s performance, durability, and overall satisfaction.

Recommendations: Choosing Your Best One Piece Scope Mount

Finding the exact best one piece scope mount depends on your needs. However, here are some examples to guide you, bearing in mind that product availability and specifications can change:

For the All-Around Shooter: [Name of Mount], [Brand] This mount typically offers a robust design, a common tube diameter, and a solid build, making it perfect for a wide variety of rifles and shooting applications. It usually provides excellent value and great all-around performance.
When Precision Matters: Best for Long-Range: [Name of Mount], [Brand]. Designed for long-range shooters, this mount often features high-quality materials, precise machining, and built-in MOA cant, giving you the features needed to reach out and touch targets at extended distances.
Keeping Things Light: Best Lightweight Option: [Name of Mount], [Brand]. Built for shooters where overall weight is critical, perhaps for carrying the rifle over long distances or for building the lightest competition rifle.
Built for the AR Platform: [Name of Mount], [Brand]. These are designed specifically for the AR-15 and similar platforms. They often offer the correct height for optimal ergonomics and potentially have a forward offset to provide more eye relief on some scopes.

Setting Up Your One-Piece Scope Mount: A Quick Guide

Once you’ve selected the best one piece scope mount, proper installation is key to its functionality and performance. Here is a basic guide:

Preparation is Key: First, ensure your firearm is unloaded and that the area is safe for handling. Clean the receiver and mounting rails on your rifle to remove any dirt or debris.
Mounting the Mount: Securely attach the scope mount to the rifle’s rail. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, tightening the screws to the recommended torque specifications.
Scope Placement: Place your scope in the mount, carefully aligning it with the rifle’s bore.
Eye Relief Adjustment: Adjust the scope’s position forward or backward until you achieve the optimal eye relief. This is the distance between your eye and the scope’s eyepiece that provides a full, clear sight picture.
Ring Tightening: Secure the scope rings by tightening the screws according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use a torque wrench to ensure precise and even tightening, preventing damage to your scope.
Reticle Leveling: Level the reticle (crosshairs) in your scope with a level tool. This ensures your shots will be accurate.
Double Check: Final checks.

Caring for Your Scope Mount

To ensure the long-term performance of your best one piece scope mount, proper maintenance is essential.

Regular Cleaning: Regularly clean your mount with a soft cloth and a mild cleaning solution to remove any dirt, debris, or fingerprints.
Torque Checks: Periodically check the torque on the screws and bolts that secure the mount to the rifle and the scope rings. This will ensure a stable and reliable setup.
Safe Storage: Store your rifle and scope mount in a clean, dry environment to protect them from moisture and other environmental factors.

The Best Choice for You

Choosing the best one piece scope mount is an investment in your shooting accuracy. By carefully considering your needs, researching different options, and understanding the features discussed in this guide, you can select a mount that will provide years of reliable service and help you achieve your shooting goals. Your ideal mount is waiting, so take the time to investigate the many excellent options available, and prepare yourself to take your shooting to the next level!