Mounting optics on the Dakota 10 / Parkwest 10

[rookhawk]

Not sure if anyone will get anything out of this write-up, but I wrestled with a chore last night and scoping these guns do present issues.

Backstory: All my prior Model 10s had Swarovski z6 1-6x24mm EE scopes with 5" of eye relief. Truly, they are perfect for the task. My prior Model 10s also had extra long length of pull, around 14-3/8"+. All used Talley QD 30mm Low Rings. No problems, that all works just fine.

Current story: My present Model 10 is a standard 13-7/8" LOP. I didn't have an EE scope, so I tried the z8i 1-8x24mm which I thought would be fine since the LOP is shorter. It would NOT work if you had a custom, longer LOP because the turrets interfere.

How I solved it: The lever on the rear ring hits the turret. The solution is to rotate the ring 90 degrees and time/tune the lever so that it tightens to 12 O'Clock. Then set that ring, then set the front ring. With the scope all the way back between the rings, the eye relief is correct and the lever can move 270 degrees, enough to slide the loose scope onto to mounts and properly tighten them down.

Conclusion: Don't try a z8 1-8x24mm if you have a longer than standard length of pull. A z6 EE will work no matter what, short or long LOP.

 

[WAB]

Hmm, perhaps you sold one too many of those EE’s you had squirreled away!

 

[rookhawk]

Hmm, perhaps you sold one too many of those EE’s you had squirreled away!

The 1-8x is truly ideal for anything a 7x57 can accomplish and the illumination is very nice, but I do like the non-illuminated 1-6 EEs because they are more compact, lighter, and you have better access to the feed ramp for the falling bloci.

 

[WAB]

You did a good job getting that scope back far enough. The EE is the ultimate scope for these single shots. It would be nice if Swarovski offered EE eye relief in that scope you mounted.

 

[Green Chile]

Here's my Dakota 10 7x57 with the same scope (Z8i 1-8x). I don't have QD levers or iron sights to worry about. I could bring it back further but that works for me.