interarms scope base question

[mtbnsb]

Bought a Interarms rifle today, 7mm Mauser w/ mannlicher stock.  It is marked Interarms Alexandria Va and Manchester England, no model name or number appears on action.  The dealer had a tag on it that said "Whitworth Mannlicher".  It came with a Redfield flip mount on it, but I don't really trust the zero holding ability of these mounts.  Will a Mark X base fit this rifle?  Thanks in advance.

[Flash]

There should be a number on the scope mount. Post that number here and I will try to cross reference it for you to see if it's a typical Mauser action. Your gun was made by the Whitworth Rifle Company in England and imported by Interarms and should have the same hole configuration as the short action small ring Mauser.

[beemanbeme]

Your rifle sounds like mine and (if I remember correctly) I used Mark X weaver bases on mine.

[mtbnsb]

The mount is a Redfield Quickswitch, I could find no model # on the outside of the mount,there may be a # on the bottom, but I do not wish to remove the mount until I see if it will hold zero.  I did measure the hole spacing though, these measurements may be a few thousandths off, but they should be close enough to figure out what mount I need.  It is a 3 hole configuration, 5.2" between front and rear screw (center to center), with a 3rd screw 0.9" behind the front screw.  Please remember these measurements aren't perfect, but they are close.   By the way, what realistic expectations can I have accuracy wise?  I reload to hunting standards, not benchrest (full length resizing, no neck turning, etc.).  It is a 7mm Mauser, I hope to get 1.25" to 1.5" at 100 yards.  Thanks again.

[beemanbeme]

You should get your 1-1.5" groups easily.  Its probably long throated to accomadate milsup ammo.  I load mine with 4350 although I've been told that H414 is a very good powder for the 7x57.  I have used both 154gr spitzer and round nosed bullets from Hornady with good results.  
I would give it a good cleaning before trying to work up a load.

[oneb]

Depending on the year of manufacture, your rifle may have been assembled and fitted in Manchester (early models) or in the Zastava plant where all the iron came from.  Manchester did much better finishing work.

There are  several good options for new rings.  (Youare right to dump the se-throughs.)  Warne makes a set that are quick release and hold zero when reinstalled. I have those on my .375 H&H. Another outfit makes SAKO style rings and these are on my rebored .338-06.

Let us know how it shoots.

oneb

[mtbnsb]

Thanks for the replies.  I am more concerned about the model of base that will fit than I am about the rings.  If a Weaver style base will fit, my options are many.  The base that is currenty on it, a Redfield "Quick-Switch" is a 3 screw affair, 2 in the front and 1 in the back.  If a Mark X base will fit, which I hope it will, from what I can gather in the catalogs, they are all 2 piece bases.  The base that is currently on it is a one piece, with only one screw in the rear.  I am assuming with a 2 piece base, that the rear base would need 2 screw holes.  I have not taken the base off yet, so I don't know if there is a 2nd hole drilled in tapped for the rear base.  To be honest, I am a bit leary of removing the base because it is attached with slotted head screws and I am real good at bunging up screw heads (I love Torx head screws!).  I guess the only way to find out is to take off the base, but I can't imagine that if that particular base was made for this particular rifle, that it wouldn't use 2 screws for the rear of the base if 2 screws positions were available.  By the way, the rifle's fit and finish are excellant, I hope it shoots as good as it looks!

[beemanbeme]

Get a proper sized screw driver, seat it in the screw slot and tap it smartly with a mallet before trying to remove the screw.  The previous owner may have used a bit of lok tite on the threads.  
I doubt that you'll find another screw hole hidden under your mount.