Unlocking Precision: The Leupold BackCountry Cross-Slot Base for Remington 700 Long Action Rifles

Are you a dedicated hunter, a competitive long-range shooter, or a firearm enthusiast looking to maximize the performance of your Remington 700 Long Action rifle? Do you constantly seek the most reliable and robust accessories to ensure your optics perform flawlessly under any conditions? If so, the Leupold 171334 BackCountry Cross-Slot Base in Matte Black is the essential upgrade you've been searching for. This isn't just another scope base; it's a foundational component designed to deliver unparalleled stability, lightweight performance, and unwavering zero retention for your precision rifle.

Imagine trekking through rugged terrain, enduring harsh weather, or engaging in high-stakes competition. Your rifle's scope mount is the critical link between your firearm and your optic. A flimsy or improperly designed base can lead to frustrating point-of-impact shifts, lost zeros, and ultimately, missed shots. The Leupold BackCountry series was engineered to eliminate these common frustrations, offering a solution that serious shooters can trust with absolute confidence. It's built for those who demand excellence and refuse to compromise on their equipment's integrity.

What Makes the Leupold BackCountry Base the Ideal Choice for Your Remington 700?

Choosing the right scope base is paramount for any rifle owner, particularly for a popular and versatile platform like the Remington 700. Here's a breakdown of the key attributes that set the Leupold BackCountry Cross-Slot Base apart:

• Exceptional Material Science: 7075-T6 Aluminum Construction

  The heart of this base's superior performance lies in its material. Crafted from aircraft-grade 7075-T6 aluminum, the Leupold BackCountry base offers an incredible strength-to-weight ratio. Why is this important?

  • Lightweight Advantage: At a mere 1.80 ounces, it minimizes added bulk to your rifle, which is crucial for backcountry hunters who count every ounce, or for competitive shooters seeking optimal rifle balance. Less weight means less fatigue during long carries and improved handling.
  • Unrivaled Durability: Despite its light mass, 7075-T6 aluminum is renowned for its toughness and resistance to stress, corrosion, and extreme temperatures. This ensures your scope remains securely mounted, shot after shot, season after season, even in the most demanding environments. It’s engineered to withstand the rigorous recoil of powerful long action cartridges without flexing or deforming, a common pitfall of lesser materials.
  • Superior Recoil Absorption: While durable, aluminum also possesses excellent dampening characteristics, helping to absorb some of the recoil forces that could otherwise stress your scope and rings.
• Versatile Cross-Slot Design: Picatinny and Weaver Compatibility

  The "cross-slot" design is a cornerstone of modern scope mounting. This Leupold base accepts both Picatinny-style and Weaver-style rings, offering unparalleled versatility when choosing your scope rings.

  • Picatinny Rail System: Characterized by its precise spacing of slots and full-width recoil lugs, Picatinny rails provide maximum security and repeatable mounting. They are the industry standard for tactical and precision shooting applications, ensuring your scope returns to zero reliably if removed and reattached.
  • Weaver System: A slightly older but still widely used standard, Weaver rings are also accommodated, giving users flexibility with their existing accessories.
  • Secure Mounting: The cross-slot pattern ensures that your scope rings seat perfectly into the slots, preventing any forward or backward movement under recoil. This mechanical lock is vital for maintaining your rifle's zero, especially with magnum cartridges often chambered in Remington 700 Long Action rifles.
• Precision Fit for Remington 700 Long Action Rifles

  The Remington 700 is one of the most iconic and popular bolt-action rifles ever made, known for its accuracy and robust design. This specific Leupold BackCountry base (MPN 171334) is meticulously engineered to fit Remington 700 Long Action receivers.

  • Understanding "Long Action": Remington 700 rifles come in different action lengths (short, long, magnum). Long action rifles are designed to accommodate cartridges like the .30-06 Springfield, .270 Winchester, 7mm Remington Magnum, .300 Winchester Magnum, and other cartridges with longer overall cartridge lengths. Ensuring you select the correct action length base is non-negotiable for proper fitment, scope alignment, and safe operation. This base provides a perfect, flush fit to your long action receiver, ensuring optimal scope placement and eye relief.
  • Eliminating Play: A perfect fit between the base and the receiver is critical. Any play or misalignment here will translate directly into accuracy issues downrange. Leupold's precision manufacturing ensures a snug, secure fit, forming a monolithic foundation for your optical system.
• Sleek and Stealthy Matte Black Finish

  The durable matte black finish not only provides a professional, low-profile aesthetic but also offers practical advantages. It reduces glare in bright conditions, which can be critical for hunters avoiding detection or for shooters in competitive environments where reflection could be a distraction. This finish is also highly resistant to scratches, abrasions, and the corrosive effects of sweat and environmental elements.

• Convenience of Included Mounting Hardware

  The Leupold BackCountry Cross-Slot Base comes complete with all necessary mounting hardware. This means you won't be scrambling for specific screws or tools when you're ready to install. Proper hardware is essential for achieving the correct torque specifications and ensuring the base is firmly secured to your rifle's receiver, contributing directly to the overall stability of your optic.

Who Benefits Most from the Leupold BackCountry Cross-Slot Base?

This scope base is a vital component for a wide range of shooting disciplines and users:

• Big Game Hunters: For hunters pursuing deer, elk, or other large game, a reliable scope mount is non-negotiable. The Leupold BackCountry's lightweight and robust design ensures your rifle is ready for the rigors of the hunt, from mountain treks to sudden downpours, without compromising your zero.
• Precision and Long-Range Shooters: Maintaining a consistent zero is the holy grail for long-range accuracy. The rigid 7075-T6 aluminum construction and secure cross-slot design provide the rock-solid platform needed to achieve sub-MOA groups consistently.
• Competitive Shooters (NRL/PRS): In the demanding world of precision rifle competitions, equipment failure is not an option. This base offers the durability and repeatable zero necessary to perform under pressure.
• Firearm Enthusiasts and Custom Builders: For those upgrading their Remington 700 or building a custom rifle, this Leupold base represents a significant improvement over stock or inferior mounting options, providing a high-quality foundation for any optics setup.
• Tactical Users: The ruggedness and reliability of the BackCountry base make it suitable for tactical applications where equipment must perform flawlessly in unpredictable situations.

Enhancing Your Shooting Experience: More Than Just a Mount

When you invest in a Leupold BackCountry Cross-Slot Base, you're not just buying a piece of metal; you're investing in peace of mind and enhanced performance.

• Zero Retention: One of the most common complaints among shooters is a shifting zero. This typically stems from a weak link in the mounting system. The BackCountry base's rigid construction and positive engagement with scope rings virtually eliminate this problem, allowing you to trust your dope and make critical shots.
• Improved Accuracy Potential: A stable optic platform directly translates to better accuracy. By removing any potential flex or movement from the base, you allow your rifle, ammunition, and optic to perform to their fullest potential.
• Durability in Extreme Conditions: Whether it's freezing temperatures, sweltering heat, driving rain, or dusty winds, this base is built to endure. Its materials and finish are chosen specifically for their resistance to environmental stressors, ensuring your setup remains functional when it matters most.
• Streamlined Profile: The low-profile design of the base keeps your scope as close to the bore as possible, which is optically advantageous and contributes to a sleeker, less snag-prone rifle.

Installation Tips and Best Practices

Proper installation is critical to unlock the full potential of your Leupold BackCountry Cross-Slot Base. While professional gunsmithing is always recommended for those unfamiliar, here are some general tips:

• Clean Surfaces: Ensure your rifle's receiver screw holes and the base's mating surface are meticulously clean and free of oil, grease, or debris.
• Thread Locker: Use a small amount of non-permanent thread locker (like Loctite 242 - blue) on the base screws to prevent them from loosening under recoil. Be conservative; too much can make removal difficult.
• Torque Specifications: Always adhere to Leupold's recommended torque specifications for the base screws. Overtightening can strip threads or warp the base/receiver, while undertightening can lead to loosening. A quality torque wrench is an invaluable tool for this step.
• Lapping (Optional but Recommended): For the absolute highest precision and to ensure maximum surface contact between your rings and your scope, some advanced shooters choose to "lap" their rings. This involves using a lapping bar to ensure the inside surfaces of the rings are perfectly aligned. While the Leupold BackCountry base is precision machined, lapping can further optimize the entire mounting system.
• Check Eye Relief: Before fully tightening your scope rings, ensure you have proper eye relief with your scope positioned correctly for your shooting style and body mechanics.

Why Trust Leupold?

Leupold has been a trusted name in optics and mounting solutions for over a century. Their commitment to quality, innovation, and rugged durability is legendary. When you choose a Leupold product, you're investing in a legacy of American craftsmanship and a company that stands behind its products with a lifetime guarantee. They understand the demands placed on shooting equipment and engineer their products to not just meet, but exceed, those expectations. The BackCountry series embodies this philosophy, providing robust, lightweight, and precise mounting solutions for the most discerning shooters.

For optimal performance and unwavering reliability in your Remington 700 Long Action rifle, the Leupold 171334 BackCountry Cross-Slot Base is an indispensable component. Secure yours today and experience the difference a truly premium scope mount can make to your shooting precision and confidence. You can find this authentic Leupold product, along with a wide range of other high-quality firearm accessories, at DEGuns.

Product Specifications at a Glance

Feature	Specification
Brand	Leupold
Series	BackCountry Cross-Slot Base
Model Number (MPN)	171334
Firearm Compatibility	Remington 700 Long Action
Finish Color	Matte Black
Action Type	Long
Material	7075-T6 Aluminum
Firearm Type	Rifle
Mount Type	To Receiver
Ring Compatibility	Picatinny & Weaver
Rings Included	No
Style	Cross-Slot
Length	6.40 inches
Included Components	Mounting Hardware
Number of Pieces	1
Weight	1.80 ounces
SKU	101042
Universal Product Code (UPC)	030317012021