Leupold BackCountry Cross-Slot Base: The Ultimate Foundation for Precision Optics on Your Browning A-Bolt Long Action

For serious shooters and hunters, the foundation of a reliable optical system isn't the scope itself, but the rock-solid base that secures it to the firearm. When you're seeking uncompromising stability and precision for your Browning A-Bolt Long Action rifle, the Leupold 171346 BackCountry Cross-Slot 1-Piece Base in Matte Black emerges as an essential upgrade. This isn't just a mounting bracket; it's a meticulously engineered component designed to eliminate flex, absorb recoil, and ensure your scope holds zero shot after shot, season after season.

What challenges do rifle owners often face with their scope mounting solutions? Many experience issues ranging from subtle shifts in point of impact due to inadequate bases to outright failure under harsh conditions. Standard scope mounts can add unnecessary bulk, be prone to misalignment, or simply lack the durability required for demanding outdoor pursuits or competitive shooting. The Leupold BackCountry base directly addresses these concerns, offering a lightweight yet incredibly robust platform that integrates seamlessly with your Browning A-Bolt Long Action. Whether you're a big-game hunter trekking through rugged terrain, a competitive long-range shooter demanding pinpoint accuracy, or a dedicated marksman refining your skills, this base provides the unwavering stability you need to achieve optimal performance.

Why the Leupold BackCountry Cross-Slot Base is a Critical Component for Your Rifle

Choosing the right scope base is as vital as selecting the scope itself. A wobbly or poorly constructed base can undermine even the most expensive optics, leading to frustrating accuracy issues and missed opportunities. The Leupold BackCountry series is built with this understanding at its core, offering a superior alternative to generic mounting solutions.

Unrivaled Strength and Featherlight Design: 7075-T6 Aluminum Advantage

One of the standout features of the Leupold 171346 base is its construction from high-grade 7075-T6 aluminum. But what does this mean for you, the shooter?

• Exceptional Strength-to-Weight Ratio: 7075-T6 aluminum is an aerospace-grade alloy, renowned for its incredible strength while remaining exceptionally lightweight. At just 2 ounces, this base adds minimal bulk to your rifle, which is crucial for maintaining the rifle's balance and reducing overall carry weight, especially beneficial for hunters covering long distances or for precision shooters aiming to minimize rifle wobble.
• Superior Durability: This material offers outstanding resistance to stress, fatigue, and impact, ensuring the base withstands the sustained recoil of powerful cartridges and the rigors of field use. Unlike some weaker alloys or even certain steel bases that can be prone to bending or corrosion, 7075-T6 aluminum provides long-term reliability.
• Corrosion Resistance: The inherent properties of aluminum, combined with the matte black finish, provide excellent protection against rust and environmental damage, ensuring your base remains aesthetically pleasing and fully functional in all weather conditions. This means less worry about your equipment when you're caught in rain, snow, or humid environments.

Precision Engineering: The Cross-Slot, 1-Piece Design

The design of the Leupold BackCountry base is optimized for both rigidity and versatility, addressing common questions about mounting systems:

What is a Cross-Slot Base and why is it beneficial?
A cross-slot design, also commonly known as a Picatinny or Weaver-style base, features a series of transverse slots that allow scope rings to be securely clamped. This design offers several key advantages:

• Versatile Ring Compatibility: The Leupold BackCountry base is designed to accept both Picatinny- and Weaver-style rings, providing maximum flexibility when choosing your preferred rings. This answers the common question, "Can I use Weaver rings on a Picatinny base?" Yes, with this Leupold base, you absolutely can, making it highly adaptable to your existing accessories or future purchases.
• Enhanced Recoil Absorption: The cross-slots allow the scope rings to sit flush and engage positively, distributing recoil forces more effectively across the entire base. This reduces stress on the rings and scope, preventing movement and maintaining zero, even with magnum calibers.
• Repeatability: When removing and reattaching your scope (for cleaning, transport, or swapping optics), a cross-slot base allows for highly repeatable mounting, helping to maintain zero with minimal adjustments.

Why choose a 1-Piece Base over a 2-Piece Base?
The Leupold 171346 is a single, integral unit, providing distinct advantages:

• Increased Rigidity: A 1-piece base inherently offers greater rigidity and structural integrity compared to a 2-piece design. This minimizes any potential flex or twisting, providing a more stable and consistent platform for your scope. This is particularly important for long-range shooting where even minuscule flex can impact accuracy.
• Consistent Alignment: Because the base is a single unit, it ensures perfect alignment between the front and rear rings, reducing stress on the scope tube and preventing "ring marks" or damage to the optic. This also makes mounting your scope easier and more precise.
• Simplified Installation: Installing a single unit can often be more straightforward than aligning and mounting two separate pieces.

Flawless Fit for Your Browning A-Bolt Long Action

One of the most critical aspects of any scope base is its specific fit to the firearm. The Leupold 171346 is precision-machined to integrate perfectly with Browning A-Bolt Long Action rifles.

• Precision Machining: Leupold's commitment to excellence means this base is manufactured to exact tolerances, ensuring a snug and stable fit on your rifle's receiver. This eliminates any play or wobble, which can degrade accuracy.
• Long Action Specific: Understanding the difference between firearm actions is crucial. A "long action" typically accommodates cartridges like the .30-06 Springfield, .270 Winchester, or .300 Winchester Magnum, which are longer than "short action" cartridges. This base is designed to provide the correct spacing and length for these longer cartridges and the receivers built for them, ensuring optimal eye relief and scope placement.
• Enhanced Aesthetics: The matte black finish not only provides a non-reflective, stealthy appearance ideal for hunting but also perfectly complements the finish of most Browning A-Bolt rifles, resulting in a sleek and professional look.

Real-World Applications and User Benefits

The Leupold BackCountry Cross-Slot Base isn't just a technical marvel; it's a practical solution that translates directly into improved shooting performance and peace of mind for various applications:

• Hunting: Imagine you're on a multi-day hunt, miles from civilization, when you take a fall. With a lesser mount, you might worry if your scope has shifted. With the Leupold BackCountry base, you have the confidence that your optic remains securely zeroed, even after bumps and jostles. Its lightweight nature also contributes to an overall lighter hunting rifle, reducing fatigue during long stalks. This base is perfect for hunters who demand reliability in challenging environments, whether pursuing elk in the Rockies or whitetail in dense forests.
• Long-Range Precision Shooting: For shooters engaging targets at extended distances, every minute of angle matters. The rigidity and precise alignment offered by the 1-piece, cross-slot design minimize variables that can throw off your shot. This base is a top choice for those building or optimizing a long-range rifle, providing the unwavering platform needed for consistent shot placement at 500 yards and beyond.
• Tactical and Training Scenarios: In high-stress or rapid-fire situations, equipment failure is not an option. The robust 7075-T6 aluminum construction ensures that your optic stays put, allowing you to focus on the target. This base is ideal for professional users or serious enthusiasts who push their equipment to the limits.
• General Purpose Shooting and Plinking: Even for casual range visits, the Leupold BackCountry base provides an enhanced experience. Say goodbye to frustrating zero shifts and hello to more consistent groups, making every shot more enjoyable and productive.

Seamless Integration and Installation Tips

The Leupold BackCountry base is designed for straightforward installation, but proper technique is key to maximizing its performance.

How do I install the Leupold BackCountry Cross-Slot Base on my Browning A-Bolt Long Action?
While professional gunsmithing is always recommended for critical components, here are general steps for secure installation:

1. Clean the Receiver: Ensure the rifle's receiver mounting holes are clean and free of oil, grease, or debris. Use a degreaser if necessary.
2. Apply Threadlocker: A small amount of non-permanent (blue) threadlocker on the mounting screws is highly recommended. This prevents screws from backing out under recoil.
3. Position the Base: Align the Leupold BackCountry 1-piece base with the screw holes on your Browning A-Bolt Long Action receiver.
4. Hand-Tighten Screws: Insert and hand-tighten all mounting screws to ensure proper alignment.
5. Torque to Specification: Crucially, use a high-quality torque wrench to tighten the screws to Leupold's recommended specifications (typically found in the product packaging or Leupold's official resources). Overtightening can strip threads or damage components, while undertightening can lead to movement. This is a critical step for ensuring optimal performance and safety.
6. Mount Rings and Scope: Once the base is securely installed, you can proceed to mount your Picatinny or Weaver-style rings and your chosen scope. Ensure rings are torqued to the scope manufacturer's specifications.

By following these guidelines, you'll establish a rock-solid foundation for your optic, ensuring years of reliable performance.

Why Trust Leupold? A Legacy of Excellence

Leupold has been a leading name in American optics for over a century, synonymous with rugged reliability, cutting-edge innovation, and a legendary commitment to customer satisfaction. When you choose a Leupold product like the BackCountry Cross-Slot Base, you're investing in:

• Unwavering Quality: Every Leupold product undergoes rigorous testing to meet the highest standards of performance and durability. Their products are designed to survive the harshest conditions on Earth.
• Precision Manufacturing: Utilizing state-of-the-art machinery and skilled craftsmanship, Leupold ensures that each component, including their scope bases, is manufactured to incredibly tight tolerances for perfect fit and function.
• American Heritage: Leupold & Stevens, Inc. is a fifth-generation family-owned company based in Beaverton, Oregon, with a deep-rooted commitment to producing world-class products right here in the USA.
• Legendary Lifetime Guarantee: Leupold stands behind its products with a comprehensive lifetime guarantee, providing unparalleled peace of mind. This commitment underscores their confidence in the quality and longevity of their gear.

The Leupold 171346 BackCountry Cross-Slot 1-Piece Base is more than just a piece of hardware; it’s an assurance of stability, precision, and durability for your Browning A-Bolt Long Action rifle. It simplifies the setup of your optical system while maximizing its potential, ensuring your shots consistently land where you intend them to. This base represents a crucial investment in your rifle's performance, providing a trustworthy link between your firearm and your chosen optic. For those seeking the very best in rifle accessories, this Leupold base, available at trusted retailers like DEGuns, stands as a testament to superior engineering and an unyielding dedication to the needs of serious shooters.

Leupold BackCountry Cross-Slot Base Specifications

Feature	Detail
Brand	Leupold
Series	BackCountry Cross-Slot Base
Model	171346
Firearm Fit	Browning A-Bolt Long Action
Color	Matte Black
Action	Long
Material	7075-T6 Aluminum
Firearm Type	Rifle
Mount Type	To Receiver
Rings Included	No
Style	1-Piece Cross-Slot
Length	6.70"
Includes	Mounting Hardware
Pieces	1
Weight	2 oz
UPC	030317011987
MPN	171346