SSK Industries T'SOB & Leupold 2.5-8x32mm Scope

Hi guys,

I'm considering ordering a T'SOB base for fitment to a FA 87, with an unusually long 18" barrel, chambered in .44 magnum. The two scopes that I've been looking at are the Leupold FX-II 4x28mm and the Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x32mm. As far as I can see, there should be no fitment issues with the 4x28mm - my concern is whether the objective and eyepiece diameter of the 2.5-8x32mm will cause any conflict with the base.

Does anyone know whether the 2.5-8x32mm is compatible with the T'SOB using the standard SSK rings? I'd like to use 4 rings to secure the scope if possible and run them in the second, third, fourth and fifth positions on the base.


Cheers,

Adam

I have a 2.5-8 Leopold with T'SOB and SSK rings on a .376 Steyr Encore. No problems with function or fit.
I have T'SOBs on FAs and Raging Bulls with 2-6 Bushnell Elites. No problems.
Have lots of Burris 3-12Xs on many Contenders and Encores with T'SOBs and SSK rings. No problems.

Thanks for your advice wvhitman. Is there any possibility that you could please post an image or two of your Steyr Encore so that I can see how you've set the scope up?

If anyone else has personal experience of this scope and base configuration I'd be very interested to hear what you've got to say about it.

I use it on FA 83 as do many others here with standard rings etc.

44mag dosent recoil enough to worry about with any setup.

Adam,

Wecome to the forum. I suspect the picture in your avatar is the beast in question. That is one wild looking critter.

I too have run the SSK base and rings with the Leupy scope on a M83. I do not remember whether I ran 3 or 4 SSK rings, but it was more than two. Not sure whether the 87 mount is dimensionally different as far as the weaver slots go, but you might not get all four depending on how you need to set it up for eye relief.

But, it is pretty easy to "mill" slots in the TSOB base if you feel the need for four rings. I can't imagine your rig would actually need more than two rings to hold the scope. Does that gun even torque and rise with full throttle loads? I bet you are hell on steel.....;^)

Craig

Just a thought, but high rings will give you more room for your thumb to reach hammer

Good point. I use high rings on all my scoped handguns, some are real high.

Adam,

Here's a pic of my 10" .454's with the Leupold 2.5x8 scopes. The Field Grade could only fit 3 rings using the SSK models, while I was able to use 4 Weigand rings on the Premier Grade.


Hope this helps!

Thank you very much for posting that image SChunter - it's really helpful. By the looks of it, both of your TSOB bases are identical in design (I've seen a couple of different variations), would I be correct in thinking then that it is the SSK Industries rings which would be the limiting factor if I wanted to mount the scope using 4? The clearance between scope objective and base on you Premier Grade looks very tight, I assume that it's adequate however - is this the case?

@Bearbait in NM - I haven't actually purchased the revolver as of yet, but have the option to do so via an importer here in the UK. I'm just trying to firm up a spec so I can have everything exported in one go - far simpler in the long run. As the revolver's barrel is so long, it should make close to rifle velocities so I would imagine it will behave in a slightly more lively manner than a standard length example. If I did decide to order, I'd most likely try to have it modified by Mag-Na-Port before it was shipped out to me. FYI, the 18"/19" barrel brings the OAL of the firearm up to just slightly over 24" - UK legal, if unorthodox!

A.,

Just to give some idea of the gripping power of the SSK rings, you can torque them down and dent/compress the scope tube before you will strip either screw out ;^) The wildest recoil rodeo I had with an SSK mount and rings was on a 375 JDJ Contender, and three rings were plenty. I eventually added the fourth more to keep the scope tube body more rigid. My 2.5-8 Leupy survived that gun aplumb, but at the time I had seen a few lesser type scopes fail at the eye-piece ring.

The eye relief on the Leupy is pretty generous, and as you noted it might be a case where you want to change the position more to accomodate getting your thumb on the hammer more comfortably. Given the difficulty of getting everything into your country, I would say the best approach would be to get the 4th ring, and try it out with your eyes, your arm length and your thumb.

Craig

I have modified the slots in 2 TSob bases, and have cut additional slots by hand. The bases hold up just fine.

You can fit 4 rings with the 2.5x8 and the SSK mount but I have taken a dremel and milled a channel in the top of the base to allow the bell of the objective to clear. It's quite easy and takes about 5 min.