Unlocking Precision: The Leupold Mark 4 1-Piece 20 MOA Base for Remington 700 Long Action

For serious shooters, competitive marksmen, and dedicated hunters who demand unparalleled precision and reliability from their firearms, the foundation of an accurate system begins with a rock-solid scope mount. The Leupold Mark 4 1-Piece 20 MOA Base for Remington 700 Long Action, Matte Black (UPC: 030317010447) stands as a testament to this principle, providing the essential platform needed to push the boundaries of long-range shooting. This meticulously engineered base isn't just an accessory; it's a critical component designed to enhance your rifle's performance, ensuring your optics perform optimally, especially when engaging distant targets.

The Foundation of Long-Range Accuracy: Why a 20 MOA Base Matters

When you’re stretching your shots out to hundreds or even a thousand yards, bullet drop becomes a significant factor. Standard scope bases often provide zero elevation compensation, meaning your scope's internal adjustment range is fully utilized just to account for bullet drop. This can leave you with insufficient "up" clicks to dial in targets at extreme distances, or it might force you to rely heavily on holdovers, which introduces more variables and potential for error.

This is where a 20 MOA (Minutes of Angle) cant comes into play. By integrating a 20 MOA slope, the Leupold Mark 4 base effectively "pre-loads" your scope, tilting it slightly downwards relative to the bore. This initial cant shifts the optical center of your scope upwards, preserving a significant portion of your scope's internal elevation adjustments for dialing in actual bullet drop.

Consider this scenario: You're preparing for a long-range precision rifle competition. With a flat base, your scope might run out of elevation adjustments at 800 yards. But by installing the Leupold Mark 4 20 MOA base, you gain those crucial extra minutes of elevation, potentially allowing you to reach out to 1000 yards or beyond with confidence. This pre-set elevation is invaluable for shooters pursuing extreme long-range (ELR) disciplines, F-Class, or even extended-range hunting where ethical and precise shot placement is paramount. It allows your scope to operate closer to its optical sweet spot, often resulting in clearer images and more consistent tracking through its adjustment range.

Engineered for Excellence: The Leupold Mark 4 Advantage

Leupold has been a trusted name in optics for generations, and their commitment to quality extends to their mounting solutions. The Mark 4 series is renowned for its robust construction and precision. This particular base, identified by MPN 170749, embodies that reputation through several key features:

• 1-Piece Steel Construction: Unlike two-piece bases that can introduce potential flex or misalignment, the Mark 4 is a single, continuous piece of steel. This monolithic design offers superior rigidity and strength, minimizing any potential for movement under recoil or impact. The inherent stiffness of a one-piece base ensures that your scope remains consistently aligned with your bore, shot after shot, season after season. Steel, chosen for its exceptional durability and resistance to wear, provides a rock-solid foundation that will not yield to the forces of high-powered rifle cartridges.
• Precision Machining and Tolerances: Each Leupold Mark 4 base is machined to incredibly tight tolerances. This precision ensures a perfect, flush fit against the Remington 700 Long Action receiver, eliminating any gaps or inconsistencies that could lead to point-of-impact shifts. The meticulous manufacturing process guarantees that the 20 MOA cant is precisely integrated, providing the exact elevation needed without introducing unwanted windage or cant.
• Proven Cross-Slot Design: The cross-slot, or Weaver/Picatinny style, design is a universally accepted and highly effective mounting interface. It allows for versatile ring placement to accommodate various scope lengths and eye relief requirements. This design ensures that your scope rings clamp securely into the slots, preventing any forward or backward movement under the most punishing recoil. This system is known for its repeatability, meaning you can remove and reattach your scope with minimal, if any, shift in zero.
• Matte Black Finish: The durable matte black finish not only provides a sleek, low-profile aesthetic but also serves a practical purpose. It minimizes glare and reflections, crucial for tactical applications or hunting where stealth is important. This finish also offers excellent corrosion resistance, protecting the steel from the elements and ensuring longevity in diverse environments.

Tailored for the Legendary Remington 700 Long Action

The Remington 700 rifle is a cornerstone of the shooting world, celebrated for its accuracy, reliability, and modularity. This specific Leupold Mark 4 base is meticulously designed to fit the Remington 700 Long Action (LA). It is critical to differentiate between long action and short action receivers, as they have different screw spacing and dimensions. Trying to mount a long action base on a short action, or vice-versa, will result in an improper fit and compromise your rifle's performance.

The base is also 8-40 adaptable, indicating its compatibility with larger, more robust 8-40 screws often favored by custom gun builders and extreme precision enthusiasts for even greater mounting security. While it typically comes with standard 6-48 mounting hardware, the option to upgrade to 8-40 screws provides an extra layer of confidence for those pushing their rifle systems to the absolute limit. This adaptability ensures that the base can be installed with the utmost security, reducing the likelihood of any movement or flex, even after thousands of rounds.

Who Benefits Most from the Leupold Mark 4 20 MOA Base?

This base is an essential upgrade for anyone serious about improving their long-range shooting capabilities.

• Precision Rifle Series (PRS) and National Rifle League (NRL) Competitors: These disciplines demand rapid target engagement at varying distances, often requiring significant elevation adjustments. A 20 MOA base is virtually a requirement to stay competitive, allowing shooters to dial in their dope without running out of travel.
• Long-Range Hunters: For hunters pursuing game in open country, precise shot placement at extended ranges is critical for ethical kills. This base provides the necessary elevation to effectively use ballistic turrets and achieve first-shot impacts.
• Tactical and Law Enforcement Snipers: Reliability and repeatable accuracy are non-negotiable. The robust construction and fixed 20 MOA cant offer a durable and predictable platform for critical engagements.
• Varmint and Predator Hunters: When targeting small, distant prey, a precise scope setup is key. The added elevation capability allows for greater flexibility in engaging targets across varied terrain and distances.
• Enthusiasts Seeking Maximum Performance: Even if you're not a competitor, if you simply want to extract every ounce of performance and accuracy from your Remington 700 Long Action, this base is a worthwhile investment.

Installation and Integration Tips

Installing your scope base correctly is just as important as choosing the right one. While the Leupold Mark 4 base comes with mounting hardware, proper installation practices are key to achieving optimal performance.

1. Cleanliness: Ensure the receiver mounting holes and the base itself are free of oil, grease, and debris. Degreasing with rubbing alcohol is recommended.
2. Threadlocker: Use a small amount of non-permanent threadlocker (like blue Loctite) on the base screws to prevent them from loosening under recoil.
3. Torque Specifications: Always adhere to the manufacturer's recommended torque specifications for the mounting screws. Over-tightening can strip threads or warp the base/receiver, while under-tightening can lead to slippage. A quality torque wrench is a valuable tool for this task.
4. Alignment: While a 1-piece base inherently offers better alignment, ensure the base sits flush on the receiver before tightening.

Once the base is securely mounted, you'll pair it with appropriate scope rings. Leupold offers a range of Mark 4 rings (such as Mark 4 Medium or High rings, depending on your scope's objective size and rifle configuration) that are designed to perfectly complement this base, forming a cohesive and incredibly stable mounting system. Remember, the quality of your rings is just as important as the base; investing in high-quality rings from reputable manufacturers like Leupold will ensure your entire optical system performs as intended.

Why Trust Leupold? A Legacy of Excellence

Leupold & Stevens, Inc. has been crafting world-class optics and accessories in Oregon, USA, for over a century. Their reputation is built on a foundation of rigorous testing, cutting-edge technology, and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. When you choose a Leupold product, you're not just buying a component; you're investing in decades of expertise and a promise of reliability. Their products are designed to withstand the harshest conditions, ensuring peak performance when it matters most. For serious shooters seeking to optimize their Remington 700 Long Action, the Leupold Mark 4 1-Piece 20 MOA Base is a natural and highly recommended choice, available from trusted retailers like DEGuns. It's an investment in precision, durability, and ultimately, confidence in your shooting system.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Leupold Mark 4 Base

• What is the primary benefit of a 20 MOA scope base?
  The main benefit is extending the usable elevation adjustment range of your scope for long-range shooting. By pre-tilting the scope downwards, it uses up less internal elevation for zeroing at shorter distances, leaving more "up" adjustment for distant targets and mitigating significant bullet drop.
• Is a 1-piece base superior to a 2-piece base?
  For most precision and long-range applications, yes. A 1-piece base offers greater rigidity and resistance to flex or misalignment, which can occur with 2-piece designs, especially under heavy recoil. This contributes to better shot consistency and overall system stability.
• Will this base fit my Remington 700 Short Action?
  No, this specific Leupold Mark 4 base (UPC: 030317010447, MPN: 170749) is designed exclusively for the Remington 700 Long Action receiver. The screw hole spacing and overall length differ between long and short actions, making them incompatible. Always ensure you purchase the correct base for your specific rifle action.
• What type of rings should I use with this Leupold Mark 4 base?
  This base features a standard cross-slot (Picatinny/Weaver) design. You should use high-quality scope rings that are compatible with this type of rail. Leupold's Mark 4 rings are an excellent choice, as they are specifically designed to mate perfectly with this base, but other reputable brands' Picatinny-compatible rings will also work.
• Does this base come with mounting hardware?
  Yes, the Leupold Mark 4 1-Piece 20 MOA Base includes the necessary mounting hardware to attach it to your Remington 700 Long Action receiver.
• What is the significance of the "8-40 Adaptable" feature?
  The "8-40 Adaptable" designation means that while the base typically comes with standard 6-48 screws, it is also pre-drilled and designed to accept larger, stronger 8-40 screws. Many custom gunsmiths prefer 8-40 screws for ultimate security in high-recoil or precision applications, requiring the receiver to also be drilled and tapped for the larger screws.

Product Specifications: Leupold Mark 4 1-Piece 20 MOA Base

Feature	Detail
Brand	Leupold
Model	Mark 4
Part Number	170749
Firearm Fit	Remington 700 (Long Action)
Elevation	20 MOA
Design	1-Piece, Cross-Slot
Material	Steel
Color	Matte Black
Weight	5.20 oz
Includes	Mounting Hardware
UPC	030317010447