Substituted one piece base for two piece scope base on Savage 10FP-Wow

[helotaxi]

The aluminum rail is plenty strong. Unless you've got a lot of play with the crossbolt in the rail slot and don't bother to seat the crossbolt tight against the front of the slot before tightening the rings, the aluminum isn't going to wear or get damaged by the recoil.

[John_M]

Knowing little or nothing about metallurgy, I am however inclined to agree with helotaxi's post. We all know movement and friction cause wear. When a scope ring is installed as he (and Warne) describe, there would be zero movement in the ring/base contact even with magnum caliber rounds. When there is zero movement in the ring/base contact there should be no wear at that interface. And, when properly installed, I cannot imagine a one piece heavy duty aluminum base fracturing from the jolt of even the heaviest shoulder fired weapons.

Intuitively though, If I was mounting the base on a large magnum rifle, I would probably look for a well machined steel base to provide the real or imagined peace-of-mind provided by the weight and mass of the steel. If unable to find the steel base I wanted, for the slight cost involved, I would use an aluminum base with complete confidence.

Good luck and best wishes to all.