[JeepsAndGuns]

I really like my H&R M12. I bought it without any sights. It came with the EGW scope base that bolts to the rear scope block mounting holes on the barrel and hangs out over the receiver.
I can feel the whole scope/mount vibrate a little when fired, and can see movement if I push down on the rear of the scope. However that is not really the main issue.
My main issue is the scope base does not extend back far enough to get a good eye relief.
I have the scope rings back as much as I can, and the scope as far back in the rings as I can, and it is still not comfortable. I have to move my head forward to get a proper picture through the scope, to the point it is not natural.
It is not LOP issue, as that fits me perfectly. The original stock that came on it when I bought it had been cut down to a shorter LOP and it was too short and uncomfortable. And I still had the eye relief issue with it.
While some do not like the stock, I find it actually very comfortable.

With the current scope mount not extending over the rear receiver ring, I got thinking, how much would it be frowned upon to have the receiver drilled/tapped for a scope base (either one or two piece) on top of the receiver?

It is a shame they do not still make the Ken Viani mount, and no one has started reproducing it. Finding one is very hard and cost almost what I paid for the gun if you do find one.

Or, does anyone know of any other scope bases/mounts for the M12 that can put the scope over the receiver?

 

[Aerocolor]

I would do it as I wouldn't consider an M12 a collectible down the road.
I can usually find several for sale at the show so not rare. Great rifles, just heavy as heck.
More of a tool to be used for it's purpose.
Drill away.

 

[gcrank1]

If it is pretty much a 'target gun' and a min. 1" tube scope you dont really need to be seeing all the way out to the outer edges of the objective lens, ya aim and shoot with the center. The bigger obj. still 'gathers the light', etc.
Ive mounted a few scopes farther forward than 'normal' on purpose to no ill effect. It is wayyy good for hard kickers so you dont get slammed by the ocular bell and also good for prone. It is far easier to crowd the comb forward than to pull your head back too.

 

[langenc]

I like em mounted to see 'the whole thing'-why not??

 

[jnyork]

You might become happy with a set of offset mounts to move the scope back further.

 

[gcrank1]

Just a thought....are you sure that is the right EGW rail for that rifle?

 

[JeepsAndGuns]

I would do it as I wouldn't consider an M12 a collectible down the road.
I can usually find several for sale at the show so not rare. Great rifles, just heavy as heck.
More of a tool to be used for it's purpose.
Drill away.

Being somewhat new to owning one of these, I was not sure how these are viewed. I know they are very close to the same basic idea as a win 52D, and I know those seem to bring good money. But was not sure about the M12's.
This one was the only one I have ever seen locally, I got it at a gun show. It was the first one I have ever seen at one.
Anything 22 and heavy barrel always makes me stop and look.

You might become happy with a set of offset mounts to move the scope back further.

I thought about one of those cantilever scope mounts, but it would just add too much height.

Just a thought....are you sure that is the right EGW rail for that rifle?

It is the only style that EGW makes. It fits the win 52 and a couple others. It goes where the rear scope block would be.
The only differences in them are the 0 or 20 moa versions.

 

[Aerocolor]

Didn't mean to put down your M12. As I stated, they are definitely a great benchrest rifle. I've had one and shot several. All shot well.
I'm getting to the point that the heavy barrel rifles are a pain to carry from the truck. Lol.
M12's can still be found in unopened foil packs. I have seen a slight rise in price over the last couple of years but they are still very reasonable compared to 52's.
D&T the receiver and you'll open up a lot of options with modern scopes.
Good luck and enjoy your new tack driver.

 

[aslap]

I really like my H&R M12. I bought it without any sights. It came with the EGW scope base that bolts to the rear scope block mounting holes on the barrel and hangs out over the receiver.
I can feel the whole scope/mount vibrate a little when fired, and can see movement if I push down on the rear of the scope. However that is not really the main issue.
My main issue is the scope base does not extend back far enough to get a good eye relief.
I have the scope rings back as much as I can, and the scope as far back in the rings as I can, and it is still not comfortable. I have to move my head forward to get a proper picture through the scope, to the point it is not natural.
It is not LOP issue, as that fits me perfectly. The original stock that came on it when I bought it had been cut down to a shorter LOP and it was too short and uncomfortable. And I still had the eye relief issue with it.
While some do not like the stock, I find it actually very comfortable.

With the current scope mount not extending over the rear receiver ring, I got thinking, how much would it be frowned upon to have the receiver drilled/tapped for a scope base (either one or two piece) on top of the receiver?

It is a shame they do not still make the Ken Viani mount, and no one has started reproducing it. Finding one is very hard and cost almost what I paid for the gun if you do find one.

Or, does anyone know of any other scope bases/mounts for the M12 that can put the scope over the receiver?

The Viani mount is being made by S&K scope mounts. I received this message from them with a pic of the mount and it looks very nice.

Tony
<[email protected]> wrote

Good Morning,

I was just reaching out to let you know that we have the H&R M12 mounts done and ready to go! That was a great project! We may start making the Winchester 52 mount next as the H&R does not fit the 52! Ken Vanini has been great to us and we would love to keep his mounts going. As of now just the H&R is done. the price is $210.00 I attached a picture so you could take a look at it!


Thank you!
Nicole
S&K

 

[aslap]

The Viani mount is being made by S&K scope mounts. I received this message from them with a pic of the mount and it looks very nice.

Tony
<[email protected]> wrote

Good Morning,

I was just reaching out to let you know that we have the H&R M12 mounts done and ready to go! That was a great project! We may start making the Winchester 52 mount next as the H&R does not fit the 52! Ken Vanini has been great to us and we would love to keep his mounts going. As of now just the H&R is done. the price is $210.00 I attached a picture so you could take a look at it!


Thank you!
Nicole
S&K

And as a tip, I have the EGW mount on mine. At the very rear of the mount I drilled a hole on center and tapped it for a 10-24 set screw that was, I think, 5/16” long. I put a little piece of plastic that I cut out from a milk jug under the screw so it wouldn’t mar the receiver. Tightened the set screw so it just touches the receiver and the mount is as solid as can be. You could also buy a nylon tipped set screw but I had the regular one and an empty milk carton and I’m cheap so……

Tony

 

[JeepsAndGuns]

The Viani mount is being made by S&K scope mounts. I received this message from them with a pic of the mount and it looks very nice.

Tony
<[email protected]> wrote

Good Morning,

I was just reaching out to let you know that we have the H&R M12 mounts done and ready to go! That was a great project! We may start making the Winchester 52 mount next as the H&R does not fit the 52! Ken Vanini has been great to us and we would love to keep his mounts going. As of now just the H&R is done. the price is $210.00 I attached a picture so you could take a look at it!


Thank you!
Nicole
S&K

Oh wow really??
That is great news! How long ago was this email sent to you?
I have heard of S&K in the past but never bought anything from them. This may change soon!
I looked on their website but did not see it anywhere.
I will send them a email.

 

[gcrank1]

A lot of set screws have a fairly sharp edged 'cup' on the end, waayyy easy to mar up a contact point!
Grind/file it off smooth.
Btw, I used a cut down 22 case for a similar application; seemed appropriate

 

[aslap]

Oh wow really??
That is great news! How long ago was this email sent to you?
I have heard of S&K in the past but never bought anything from them. This may change soon!
I looked on their website but did not see it anywhere.
I will send them a email.

Jeep,

I got that about a month ago. Pricey but it looks really nice.

Tony

 

[aslap]

A lot of set screws have a fairly sharp edged 'cup' on the end, waayyy easy to mar up a contact point!
Grind/file it off smooth.
Btw, I used a cut down 22 case for a similar application; seemed appropriate

gcrank,

I had the HF 30" belt sander singing to round off that set screw! It was a cup head so it was pretty sharp. I just can't see having to buy 25 of the nylon head screws when I only needed the one!
.22 case would also be good and maybe better than my milk jug plastic. I may try that. Or just break down and buy the right kind of hardware!
Tony

 

[A square 10]

MHO is that most military trainer collectors would frown on the alteration , if you can mount your glass without defacing the rifle they would say nothing , ive used the mounts that came on my kimber M82 or the screws for those to do mine up with good glass , all parts are saved and the rifle can be returned to original , but ....

the rifle is yours , do as you please , later owners will either adust or pass on it if they feel the need , again JMHO

 

[Joe D]

I drilled and tapped mine. Bought the rifle in unfired condition at the CMP South store for $225.

 

[Lloyd S.]

I would do it as I wouldn't consider an M12 a collectible down the road.
I can usually find several for sale at the show so not rare. Great rifles, just heavy as heck.
More of a tool to be used for it's purpose.
Drill away.

Yep. For all its virtues the M12 isn't likely to ever be a collector's item, so a d&t won't hurt its value. If you look around the internet, though, you might find a suitable cantilever scope mount. I have one on my 10/22, but my barrel had to be d&t'd for it so even if you find a cantilever mount you still might have to drill it.

 

[rodhx]

I’ve been thinking about getting the EGW mount for my old m12 as well but find the three options confusing with no real guidance found in my searches. My barrel is ~0.875” at the muzzle. Does that make the 0 MOA the correct choice?

I haven’t shot it in many years but got it out tonight to examine. I’ve got the Olympic & Palma irons and sighted it for 50yds way back when. Tonight in a standing position I can’t even get up my head low enough on that thick stock to properly use the sights. Not that I could hold it up very long anyway

 

[Litetrigger]

It's not our fault that gun makers did not catch on soon enough that there will be a need to scope rifles. Most (if not all) current rifles now are factory ready for scope rings

 

[Lloyd S.]

I’ve been thinking about getting the EGW mount for my old m12 as well but find the three options confusing with no real guidance found in my searches. My barrel is ~0.875” at the muzzle. Does that make the 0 MOA the correct choice?

I haven’t shot it in many years but got it out tonight to examine. I’ve got the Olympic & Palma irons and sighted it for 50yds way back when. Tonight in a standing position I can’t even get up my head low enough on that thick stock to properly use the sights. Not that I could hold it up very long anyway

I hope I'm not telling you something you already know. The "zero moa" refers to external elevation for your scope and has nothing to do with barrel diameter. One moa equals just a tiny bit over 1" at 100 yds., so your poi (point of impact) would be ~10" higher at 100 yds. than with the 0 moa base, all other things equal.