Thread: Baikal 223

Hey all

Having problems getting the right rings/rail for my old 223 baikal.

Came with rings to fit the dovetailing, but this causes the scope to hang to far back when I break it downto go in the pack, (damn scope got a scratch). Brought quick release rings but they are pictanny so bought an adapter, this couldnt be fitted as r hangs way to far back and cant close action. Out comes the dremel and shortened it. Went to mount quick release rings again, they wont fit the adapter!

Anyone got any ideas?

Compact scope ?
My scope overhangs the action, when I break down mine too.

@223nut

Check out the mounting system on my Baikals

Work great with standard scopes.


Cheers
Pete

Originally Posted by P38

@223nut

Check out the mounting system on my Baikals

Work great with standard scopes.
Attachment 46111

Cheers
Pete

That ones of the options I PM'd the OP about. The Airgun type mounts very work well and provide more support for the scope. Still not ideal having so much scope off the back so I see why he looked into QR mounts.

A long eye relief (pistol) scope is sometimes an option but mounting these also provides its own challenges. The mounts can use he back sight point for stability and add some barrel clamps for support but it involves a lot of work. Another option is re dots but we generally use these for the 7.62x39 as the shots tend to be closer range ones.

Finally another option is Skinners peep sights (or similar) not a scope but very smart and effective and ideal for back packs.

get a gunsmith to drill and tap the action and mill a blank piccatinny rail to fit it. SSRNZ did mine

P38 we use the same thing...works great.

skinner peep sights

The "rimfire" model fits straight onto the Baikal's dovetail

Originally Posted by Mauser308

Yep.

Those things are an arse due to the short rail...

Try the fixed mount, but be aware of the front of the built in dovetail on those having variable length recoil stops machined in (or maybe none at all). Basically the lazy bastards stopped the dovetail cutter short of the front end of the receiver near the barrel, so they can be variable in length from the examples I have seen. The worst one was about 3mm different, but clamp the rail on loosely, slide it forward until it stops and see if you can lock the action closed. If not, relieve a bit from the bacl of the rail where it fouls the lump on the receiver and you should be good to go. Don't clamp the rail over the recoil stop, just don't...

When using the one piece mounts as pictured above, we machine out a notch in the mount to fir over the recoil stop. This way it is properly clamped to the rifle and does not protrude past the breech allowing for larger (or gloved) fingers to get access to the used shell. It also prevents movement of the scope under recoil. (Not that this is a large issue in 223.) The other method we use when a more rearward support is needed is to machine the rear third of the base off that overhangs the breech.

Off set mounts are an option as well but these usually have less "end support" for scopes with the scope clamps (ring tops) being relatively close together when compared to the usual one piece mount.

The option of drilling and tapping a weaver rail can be another solution but it too has its pro's and cons. Rings can be mounted further back but they make access to the breech smaller and they require the rear ramp on the rifle to be flattened off rather than the base as there is less depth to the metal. However this option is probably best for the intended use of Quick detach mounts.

There are a number of ways to address the issue, and it depends on the precise requirements of the user as to which option will work best in their situation.

Originally Posted by ebf

skinner peep sights

The "rimfire" model fits straight onto the Baikal's dovetail

This is often the best solution for a light weight back pack rig that takes down. Very little bulk and works well, as long as your eye can cope with an aperture sight. Its what I want for my Baikal......

Originally Posted by P38

@223nut

Check out the mounting system on my Baikals

Work great with standard scopes.
Attachment 46111

Cheers
Pete

Do you use a ladder to see through the bottom one?

Thanks for the input, think i'll just use t as an excuse to buy a new pack that it will fit in when broken dowm!

Rim fire rings from Gunworks,Goldcrown compact.4x32
You can't get away from the overhang

Or go for a shorter (compact) scope. though some shorter scopes need to be further back so check the eye relief. If they need to be further back they make thinks harder rather than easier.

Originally Posted by P38

@223nut

Check out the mounting system on my Baikals

Work great with standard scopes.
Attachment 46111

Cheers
Pete

@ p38 the upper one, did u take the front screw out of the forestock to get the bipod on?

With the one I had dad milled off the factory dovetail (using the milling machine at the school he taught at - after hours) and then attached a new longer one by tapping and drilling the receiver. The advantage to this approach is that the scope ended up lower than it would have with an adaptor.