Precision Foundation: Unlocking Your Winchester Model 70's Potential with Leupold Standard 2-Piece Bases

For any serious shooter or hunter, the foundation of an accurate rifle system isn't just the rifle itself or the scope, but the often-overlooked components that connect them: the scope bases and rings. The Leupold 50021 Standard Base 2-Piece with Reversible Rear represents a classic, robust, and highly functional solution specifically engineered for the legendary Winchester Model 70, along with its 670, 770, and 70A short action variants. This matte black steel mounting system is designed to provide unparalleled stability, essential windage adjustability, and enduring reliability for shooters who demand peak performance from their firearms.

Why Leupold Standard Bases are a Trusted Choice for Your Rifle

When you're looking to achieve consistent shot placement, whether at the range or in the field, the integrity of your scope mounting system is paramount. Leupold, a name synonymous with optical excellence and rugged dependability, extends that reputation to its mounting solutions. The Leupold Standard (STD) series has been a staple in the shooting community for decades, lauded for its straightforward design, incredible durability, and precise adjustability. Unlike many mounting systems that rely on the scope itself for windage adjustments, the STD system integrates this crucial capability into the rear base, offering a more robust and repeatable method for fine-tuning your optics.

This particular 2-piece design, featuring a reversible rear base, caters to a wide array of shooting scenarios and personal preferences. It's especially suited for rifles chambered in standard calibers, typically those with less aggressive recoil than magnum cartridges, specifically recommending it for calibers under .300 Win. Mag. This recommendation highlights the system's optimal performance envelope, ensuring that shooters select the right tool for their specific rifle and cartridge combination.

Engineered for Performance: Features of the Leupold 50021 Base

The Leupold 50021 Standard Base isn't just a set of metal components; it's a precision-engineered interface designed to optimize your shooting experience. Crafted from high-quality steel, these bases offer superior strength and rigidity compared to lighter alloys, ensuring that your scope remains steadfast, even under significant recoil or accidental bumps.

Key Design Elements and Their Benefits:

• Durable Steel Construction: Steel is the material of choice for demanding applications due to its excellent tensile strength and resistance to deformation. This means your scope base will hold zero reliably through countless shots and adverse conditions, resisting the stresses of recoil and temperature fluctuations that can affect less robust materials. The matte black finish not only provides a sleek, non-reflective appearance that blends seamlessly with most rifle finishes but also adds an extra layer of corrosion resistance, crucial for longevity in various environments.
• Two-Piece Design: The 2-piece configuration offers several practical advantages. It provides greater flexibility for scope mounting on rifles with varying action lengths or ejection port configurations. This design also allows for easier access to the rifle's action for cleaning or maintenance, a significant convenience for any firearm owner. For the Winchester Model 70, this setup is particularly effective, providing a solid anchor point at both the front and rear of the receiver.
• Reversible Rear Base: This is a standout feature. The reversible rear base allows you to mount your scope with greater flexibility in terms of eye relief. Depending on the length of your scope's main tube and your preferred head position, you can flip the rear base to achieve optimal ring spacing and eye relief. This adaptability ensures that shooters of all body types and shooting styles can comfortably and effectively shoulder their rifle and acquire a clear sight picture. It's a subtle but powerful design choice that significantly enhances user comfort and optical performance.
• Integrated Windage Adjustment: A hallmark of the Leupold STD system, the rear base incorporates windage screws that allow for lateral adjustment of the scope. This unique feature means you can make gross windage adjustments directly on the mount during the bore-sighting process, saving valuable time and ammunition. It also ensures that your scope's internal adjustments are kept closer to their mechanical center, potentially improving the optical performance and longevity of the scope itself. This system provides a robust and repeatable zero, less prone to shifting than some other methods.
• Compatibility with STD Rings: These bases are designed to seamlessly integrate with Leupold's STD rings, which are available in five different heights. This modularity allows you to choose the exact ring height needed to achieve optimal cheek weld and scope clearance, ensuring a comfortable and consistent shooting posture. The front dovetail ring pivots into the front base, providing the foundational stability, while the rear ring is secured by the windage screws.

Optimizing Your Winchester Model 70: A Perfect Partnership

The Winchester Model 70, often dubbed "The Rifleman's Rifle," is renowned for its controlled-round feed action, accuracy, and rugged reliability. Pairing such a venerable firearm with an equally reliable mounting system is crucial. The Leupold 50021 bases are specifically contoured and drilled to fit the Winchester Model 70's short action receiver. This ensures a precise, wobble-free fit that is essential for maintaining zero.

Who will benefit from this specific mounting system?

• Hunters: When you're out in the field, often in challenging conditions, you need a scope mount that won't fail. The Leupold 50021's steel construction and secure design mean your scope will stay put, no matter if you're navigating dense brush or enduring harsh weather. The ability to make initial windage adjustments without stressing internal scope components is a significant advantage when time is of the essence.
• Target Shooters: While primarily designed for robust field use, the precision of the STD system also benefits target shooters. Achieving a perfect zero is easier with the integrated windage adjustment, and the rock-solid connection ensures that every shot is consistent, allowing you to focus on fundamental shooting skills.
• Rifle Owners Seeking an Upgrade: If your Winchester Model 70 currently has a less-than-ideal mounting system, upgrading to the Leupold 50021 bases will provide a noticeable improvement in scope stability and long-term reliability. It's an investment in your rifle's accuracy and your confidence as a shooter.
• Those Using Standard Calibers: As mentioned, this base is perfectly suited for standard calibers under .300 Win. Mag. This includes popular cartridges like .223 Remington, .243 Winchester, .308 Winchester, .270 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, and many others commonly found in short action Model 70s. The robust steel construction is more than capable of handling the recoil energy of these cartridges, ensuring consistent zero retention.

Installation and Bore Sighting Considerations

While professional gunsmithing is always recommended for scope mounting, the Leupold STD system is known for its relatively straightforward installation process for those with basic mechanical aptitude and the right tools. The bases come with the necessary mounting hardware, typically high-quality Torx head screws, which provide excellent torque transfer and resistance to cam-out during tightening.

Key steps often involve:

• Cleaning the Receiver: Ensure the rifle's receiver is thoroughly clean and free of oil or debris where the bases will sit.
• Applying Thread Locker: A small amount of non-permanent thread locker (like Loctite Blue 242) on the base screws is highly recommended to prevent loosening under recoil.
• Torquing Screws: Use a torque wrench to tighten the screws to the manufacturer's specified foot-pounds or inch-pounds. This is critical for preventing damage to the screws or receiver threads, and for ensuring a secure, consistent mount.
• Mounting STD Rings: Once the bases are secure, the front STD ring slides into the dovetail on the front base, and the rear STD ring is positioned over the rear base, secured by the windage screws.
• Bore Sighting: After the scope is mounted and leveled, use a bore sighter (either a laser bore sighter or an optical collimator) to get the initial windage and elevation adjustments close to the bore's axis. This is where the integrated windage adjustment of the Leupold 50021 shines, allowing you to quickly align your reticle.
• Live Fire Zeroing: Final zeroing should always be done at the range with live ammunition, making fine adjustments to both windage and elevation until you achieve your desired point of impact.

Proper installation ensures that the Leupold 50021 bases provide the stable platform they were designed for, maximizing the potential accuracy of your Winchester Model 70 and your chosen scope.

Longevity and Maintenance of Your Leupold Bases

Leupold products are known for their "rugged reliability," and the 50021 bases are no exception. Manufactured to withstand the rigors of extensive field use, they are designed for a lifetime of service.

To ensure optimal performance and longevity:

• Regular Cleaning: Periodically wipe down the bases with a clean, dry cloth to remove dirt, dust, and moisture.
• Inspection: Before and after major shooting sessions or hunting trips, visually inspect the bases and screws for any signs of loosening, damage, or corrosion.
• Light Lubrication: A very light coat of rust preventative oil can be applied to the steel surfaces, especially if operating in humid or wet environments, taking care to avoid getting oil into screw holes or on threads where it could compromise thread locker adhesion.
• Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Do not use aggressive solvents or cleaners that could damage the matte black finish or the material itself.

By following these simple maintenance steps, your Leupold 50021 Standard Bases will continue to provide a rock-solid foundation for your rifle scope, ensuring consistent performance for years to come.

The Leupold Advantage: A Legacy of Trust

Choosing Leupold for your scope mounting needs means investing in a legacy of American craftsmanship and innovation. Leupold's commitment to quality, backed by their legendary customer service, provides peace of mind that your equipment is up to the task. The Leupold 50021 Standard Base is not just a part; it's a critical link in your rifle's accuracy chain, designed to meet the exacting standards of shooters who demand the best from their gear.

These dependable scope bases are readily available for shooters seeking to optimize their Winchester Model 70, 670, 770, or 70A short action rifles.

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Product Specifications: Leupold 50021 Standard Base

Attribute	Detail
Brand	Leupold
Model	Standard Base
Firearm Fit	Winchester 70 SA, 670, 770, 70A
Color	Matte Black
Material	Steel
Firearm Type	Rifle
Mount Type	To Receiver
Rings Included	No
Style	Reversible Rear
Includes	Mounting Hardware
Pieces	2
Weight	2 oz
SKU	35896
UPC	030317500214
MPN	50021