What Is a Tip-Off Scope Mount: Best Torque Recommendation
If you’re searching for what is a tip-off scope mount, we have the answer. It is a tool with which you can easily attach a rear sight to your weapon without needing to drill or screw anything to the receiver.
The biggest gripe that most people have with these mounts is getting the torque right which directly affects the accuracy and precision. That is why we are going to provide you with the best torque recommendations so that you always have the best accuracy and never miss a shot.
We are also weighing the pros and cons of the Era-Tac Tip-Off mounts, sharing everything there is to know about tip-off rings for 22s. Let’s get started!
Overview of Tip-Off Scope Mounts
This is a kind of mount that allows you to attach the sight to a firearm. What makes it special is that you don’t need any drilling or screwing to get it in place.
- You can easily install the tip-off rings to the top of the grooved receiver without any tools.
- Install a rifle scope or different optics on the rings.
- There is a clamp that you use to secure it to the weapon.
- It will hold the optic on top of the weapon very firmly.
If you are the type of person that is always switching between iron sights and scope then a tip-off mount is the best thing for you. This is a very fast way of attaching a sight to your gun without needing to screw holes. These mounts are generally less expensive than the weaver rings and are well-regarded in the shooting community.
Attachment Principle
The attachment principle of the tip-off rings is very simple and straightforward. You can either use them vertically or horizontally. If there is a dovetail rail then the tip-off mount can be easily pulled by moving the claws to the widest position. This is really good because it allows you to remove the rings even when the sight is already mounted on the rifle.
Era-Tac Tip-Off Mounts
These mounts have the similar build quality and features. The main difference is between mount type and mounting fashion. Let’s look at the specs parallel here:
1. ERA-TAC Tip-Off One Piece Mount 30mm
This ERA-Tac product is amazing and has really good build quality. It is totally made from aluminum, so it is sturdy and holds the optic really well. It is detachable so you can easily mount and dismount it. This is a great choice for beginners as you don’t need any screwing or drilling.
As it is a tip-off, you can easily switch between iron sights for short-range shooting and scope for longer ranges. Due to the versatility that you get with this one, it becomes a more obvious choice than the weaver rings. It is also a really good option for rimfire rifles as well. Overall, it is a pretty good mount and best suited for .22 rifles.
Specifications:
- Aluminum Body
- 20 MOA Inclination
- Detachable Mount
- One-Piece Design
- 30mm Sight
- Good build quality
- Easy mounting experience
- Superb rings
- Affordable
- A bit heavy
2. ERA-TAC Two Piece Ring Mount 30mm
The two-piece ring mount method is one of the most commonly used methods for attaching a sight. So, having a tip-off makes the experience much better. This is a very flexible design that just works really well. Moreover, with a solid aluminum construction, it isn’t going anywhere.
This is arguably the best tip-off mount in the market. You can easily attach it to your weapon and use any optic of your choice. The tip-off rings are really handy as you can easily put them on and off. Overall, it is a really good product that is built and designed exceptionally well.
Specifications:
- Aluminum Body
- 20 MOA Inclination
- Fixed Mount
- Two-Piece Mount
- 30mm Sight
- Solid metal construction
- Intuitive design
- Easy installation and removal
- Sturdy mount
- Can exert a large amount of force on one side if not properly tightened
Screw Tightening Torque Values
When mounting a riflescope, it is important to use the correct screw torque values to ensure a secure and accurate hold on the optic. These values are usually provided by the manufacturer and vary depending on the type of mount and the screw size.
Using too little torque can result in the scopes shifting or becoming loose over time, affecting the accuracy of your shots. On the other hand, using too much torque damages the tip mounts, or even strips the threads.
What are the Recommended Values?
The recommended values for torque in riflescope mounts vary depending on the manufacturers and the type of mount being used. However, as a general rule, the torque ranges from:
- 10 to 15 in-lbs for the base
- 15 to 20 in-lbs for the ring
It is important to note that these values are just a general guideline and it is always best to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions or specifications for the exact torque values on the clamp. The instructions usually include the recommended torque values for the mounts.
Common Problems Due to Inappropriate Tools
There are a number of problems that can occur due to the use of inappropriate tools. Some of these problems of a tip mount are:
1. Shifting
If the rings are not tightened to their required value then the sight can shift and become loose over time
2. Resulting Damage
Similarly, overtightening the rings can damage the scopes.
3. Stripping Threads
There is also the possibility of stripping the threads if the screws are too tightened.
4. Difficult adjustments
When the optic is not tightened properly, it will be more difficult to make adjustments for wind and elevation.
5. Zeroing is Difficult
It is also difficult to zero in properly when the sight is loose.
Tip-Off Rings for .22s
Due to the quick and easy removal process, tip-off mounts are a popular choice for .22s. Make sure to tighten the tip-off rings correctly so that the optic firmly holds on top of the rifle.
Origin of Tip-Off
The grooved receivers and the tip-off rings were first seen in 1946 as a concept. Later on, they started releasing the new Mossberg rifles with grooved receivers. This allowed for much easier mounting of the sight.
The biggest plus of these grooved receivers was that you could easily add a sight on top of the rifle. This further simplified the whole process of mounting scopes as there was no need for drilling anymore. The grooved receivers and tip-off mounting were a huge success back in the time as it was very intuitive.
Adapting
Making a grooved receiver is difficult as it involves making grooves down the receiver. So, if your .22 rifle didn’t come with a groove, then you can do the following:
- Attach a dovetail rail to the gun.
- Mount the rail to the receiver with screws.
- You get a tip-off system.
Problems
Due to such an easy solution, the reviews of these mounts are really positive. But the dovetail rail introduced problems of its own such as:
- It totally disembarked the actual objective of using tip-off mounts which was the ease of sight removal.
- The rail blocked the iron sights and removing the screws of the rail was another thing that you needed to do.
Pesky Metrics
The 3/8-inch groove is considered the standard for tip-off mounts but this isn’t entirely true. This is because some rings don’t fit well on such grooves. It is mainly due to the tolerance differences between the different manufacturers. If the rings are very wide then you won’t be able to fit them on a 3/8-inch receiver.
Recoil Shy
When you are using the tip-off rings on a rifle like the .22 then there is no issue with the recoil. But if used on a bigger caliber rifle then there might be an issue. There are a lot of people who still prefer using tip-off mounts over any other system. Due to the simplistic nature of the system, it is still quite prevalent and used a lot.
What Is a Tip-Off Scope Mount – FAQ
What are tip-off mounts?
It is a type of sight mount that is positioned to the top length of the receiver and allows for quick scope attachment.
What are the different types of scope mounts?
Some other types of scope mounts are Ring, One-piece, Dovetail, Picatinny, Weaver, Tip off mounts, etc.
What is a 2-offset scope mount?
It provides a 2-inch offset from the centerline of the receiver to the scope. This allows for a much more natural position for the eye.
Should scope rings have a gap?
If there is a gap between the rings then it will allow you to make proper alignment and make room for expansion, and contraction.
Will a weaver mount fit on Picatinny?
Due to the different dimensions, a weaver does physically fit on a Picatinny but it is not very secure.
Conclusion
If you are using a rimfire rifle, then using a tip-off mount is a no-brainer and should be used over a weaver mount. The positives heavily outweigh the drawbacks. Just be careful of the torque values when tightening the screws of the tip-off rings.
Using a torque driver or a hex wrench will make things much easier for you. You will be absolutely fine with any of the 2 tip-off mounts mentioned above but in the end, choose the ones that suit your needs.
Which mounting system are you using on your rifle? Let us know in the comments.