Scope out the situation

Still working on stuff while the stock was drying... Since I'm going for long range, I need a scope.  That presents yet another a problem.  Like the Mausers, the bolt handle on the Mosin sticks straight out.  Because of this, with a standard scope the bolt handle would hit the scope so you wouldn't be able to get the bolt open.  One option there is to modify the bolt with a bent bolt handle to clear the scope.  I didn't want to do that. 

The other option is to use a scout or pistol scope.  While a standard scope is made to be positioned 3"-4" from the eye, scout scopes have an eye relief of 11"-13".  This lets the scope be mounted much further forward so bolt clearance isn't an issue.  They say that the rule of thumb for scopes is that your scope should cost about half what the rifle cost, so I ended up with an AIM Sports 2-7x42 Scout scope.  It's definitely an entry level scope, and the reviews are mixed, but there's no way I'm spending $200+ for a scope on a $130 gun.  The scope will get mounted ahead of the bolt area.

I like iron sights, and want to keep mine, so the scope will be mounted above the stock sight, using the stock sight attachment points.  There is a mount like this available, but it's just stamped steel and quite frankly I think it looks chintzy.  It also uses a picatinny rail and standard scope rings, so it mounts the scope way too far above the barrel.  With a rifle this powerful, having the scope and barrel centerlines so far apart can lead to accuracy problems, ie. low at 75 yards, on at 100, and high at 125.  Here's a picture off the internet showing what I mean.  You can see how the higher the scope is, the worse the problem is.

So, with all that out of the way, I decided to make my own scope mount.  As much as I like grinding, filing, and sanding, there's a better way...BAM!

Conveniently, I know a guy...that guy being me.  After I finished the model, I got a chunk of aluminum and had at it.  I let the machine do the the work while I kicked back and relaxed.  After a few hours, my solid block of aluminum was looking much lighter.

The shiny aluminum wouldn't look right on the mostly dark colored gun, and while I know how to anodize at home, I'm not set up to do it, so it got painted.  The scope sits nice and low, and I can still use the stock iron sight up to 400 yards.