By R. Ted Jeo

Article Published Date: 11/22/2007

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Back in 2004, Mark and I submitted our first article to be published on the Surplusrifle.com web site.  The subject of the article was a homemade scope mount that utilized Millett mount “claws”, a Weaver 63B mount and a section of ½” square tubing available from your local hardware store.  You can read the entire article at the SurplusRifle.com web site (http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting/hr12scopemount/).  The reason we came up with the home brew mount was because you had only two choices to mount a scope to your H&R M-12; either tap and drill for a mount or buy an expensive Unertl type scope that attaches to the existing barrel mount blocks.

Since 2004, I have been using my M-12 on a regular basis to shoot .22 50 ft indoor 4 position shooting to some success.  Although our mount worked for me, it was in some ways awkward to use.  The mount placed the scope higher than desired for some of the positions.  Our mount was also quite susceptible to movement and one had to be very careful handling the rifle.  And, although quite proud of our $16 achievement, heck, it did LOOK like something that was home brewed.  But, on the flip side, it worked, didn’t cost hardly anything and I did not have to tap and drill my M-12.

Always on the look out for anything firearm related, I found postings on a forum site about how a company was making some sort of a scope mount for the M-12.  Intrigued, I did some research and found BKL Technologies Inc. (BKL makes all sorts of scope mounts and adapters, there is even an adapter that you can use on the Winchester 52).   BKL sent me one of their adapters (model 612, 3/8” dovetail adapter for the M12, $20) and a scope mount (model 253, 3” Unitized Cantilever Scope Mount, $35).  Both of the items came in a “parkerized” flat black finish.

The 612 adapter is made so that it takes the place of the rear barrel scope block.  Simply remove the existing block and replace it with the adapter, which is contoured such that it conforms nicely with the barrel and then ramps up onto the receiver, extending back to just before the loading port of the rifle.  There are two flat head screws that are included with the adapter.  Remember, KEEP THOSE ORIGINAL BLOCKS that you take off!!

Once you have the adapter on the rifle, you can utilize many of the different 3/8” dovetail mounts that BKL makes.  In my case, I had a 3” cantilever mount that is; the distance between the rings is 3”.  BKL makes a 4” version as well.  As it turns out, the 3” version works fine for my scope with a little bit of adaptation.

Do not just simply slide the 3/8” dovetail onto the 612 adapter.  You will find that you will not be able to slide it at all onto the adapter and it will seem to be an error in the machining of the parts.  Nope.  That was one of the things that I really like about the BKL mounts.  What you have to do is spread the dovetail on the mount just a hair and then the cantilever slides right on.  Do you need vise grips or special tools?  Nope, just remove the two mounting screws, install them into the two thread holes on the side of the mount and slowly tighten them down.  You do not need much.  The mount will slide right on.  You can position it where you want and then loosen the two screws.  Doing so locks the mount onto the adapter.  Then remove the two screws, put them back into their standard holes and tighten down.  Done.  And it is very solid.

Range Results:

With the old “Mark I” mount that I had, I was adding 10.8 oz of weight to the rifle.  The BKL mount only adds 3.3 oz of weight, saving nearly ½ pound  (7.5 oz) in weight.  The BSA scope still comes in at a hefty 1 lb 2.5oz, but that weight would not change on either mount.  So how did it shoot?

I managed to get out to the range while the temperatures were fairly warm.  With a high of 30F and lightly snowing with no wind, it was a perfect day.  After I adjusted the scope to get the correct eye relief and centered the reticle, I zeroed in at 25 yards.  At 25 and 50 yards, the 5 shot groups were smaller than a dime in size.  The 100 yard 5 shot group was just under 1”.  Now, mind you, I did not shoot 5 shot groups until I got the smallest group size.  I shot only ONE 5 shot group at 25 and 50 yards.  At 100 yards I did shoot three 5 shot groups.  At that distance I was having troubles seeing where the .22 holes were going and could not even tell if I was hitting the target.  At the 50 yard distance there is also a 3” metal swinger.  It was easy enough for  me to hit that swinger 50 shots in a row from unsupported offhand.  Scope and mount worked perfectly.

By the way, all the ammo was Wolf Match Target, 40 grain solid bullets.  My rifle seems to enjoy this Wolf fodder.  I use it exclusively for all shooting in this rifle now.  The rifle has gone through at least 2000 rounds in the last 3 or 4 years….never having been cleaned! (that’s NOT to say the rifle isn’t dirty….)

So, in conclusion, even though our “Mark I” mount functions just fine, with the BKL mount and adapter I can cut the weight added to my rifle by nearly ½ lb and lower the scope about ¾” of an inch.  Why is this critical?  For me, again, shooting 4 position indoor .22 (on A-17 targets) it is much more comfortable and stable to have the scope closer to the barrel.  Granted, it is still probably more than an inch higher compared to a true barrel mounted Unertl target scope, but on the flip side, I did not have to spend nearly twice the original cost of the rifle on a scope.  This BKL system also is much stronger and stable than our Mark I mount.  I give the BKL system two thumbs up with a A+ recommendation to those M12 owners out there that would like to mount a scope on their rifle and not permanently alter your weapon.

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