I am planning to get a M70 Featherweight in 7mm 08. I plan to mount a 1" 3x9. I have two other similar rifles and I have always defaulted to steel rings. I remember while I was shopping for my last set of rings a salesman tried to convince me to to go with lightweight aluminum rings (he did not have steel). I went and found some steel rings elsewhere. He tried to convince me that the cheaper aluminum rings were just as good but better.
I am much more concerned with maintaining a zero then the additional weight of the steel rings. However, if I could be convinced that aluminum rings would maintain a zero as well as steel rings then it would be great to save some weight.
I am not very worried about cost (but let's stay below 80 bucks)
I have always used steel rings. Never tried aluminum. I have 4 scoped guns now. All have Warne rings on them. I have used Warne rings exclusively for decades. Three of the guns have Warne QD rings and one Warne fixed rings. And I have tried a lot of different scope rings.
I've been using the same sets of Mark 4s for years but wouldn't hesitate to use aluminum rings from a quality manufacturer. I know a couple of guys using Nightforce Ultralights on .338, 300WM, and .308s that swear by them.
I have no issue with aluminum scope rings. I have a few different sets and no problems. I haven't knocked a set out of zero yet, and I don't baby my firearms. The scope is aluminum, so what would it hurt to have the rings be aluminum as well? A proper mounting job is more of a concern to me than the material of the rings.
So I have ended up with a mixed lot. Some guns can be difficult. I was pulling my hair out trying to find a good set up for my two new Production Miroku High Walls. It turns out that they do not always use the same barrel taper. These guns are run in small batches and even within the same caliber. The taper can change from year to year. Finally got fixed up by S&K.
But as to your original subject. I see no difference in performance between steel and aluminum.
I have an aluminum cantilever mount on my LAR. The scope is aluminum, the mount is aluminum, the rail is aluminum. Damn near the whole gun is aluminum. No wandering zero whatsoever.
I've always just ordered a set of Talley rings for my rifles, absolutely nothing wrong with a high quality aluminum set of rings. If they are designed properly and installed properly they shouldn't have any more chance of moving than a steel ring.
I tend to use steel rings when the mount or base is steel, aluminum when the mount or base is aluminum if the set up is a Weaver rail type. I suppose when everything's torqued down tight it doesn't matter, but if something slips I suppose I like "steel against steel" and not the softer aluminum.
Probably just getting old and stuck in my ways - I still call the fridge an "icebox" .....
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