3/8 Inch Dovetail

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Fixed Mounts

Mounting Accessories

General description

The dovetail is a unique design which allows the installation of mounts on various rifles. Regardless of the rifle type and dovetail width, this unique design is grooved onto the rifle's receiver, barrel or slide. Rifles are designed with different dovetail widths. The most common are: 11 mm, 3/8”, 12 mm, 14.5 mm, 16.5 mm and 19 mm. The 11 mm dovetail is by far the most common of all dovetail designs in Europe, whereas in the United States the 3/8” is the prevailing standard among dovetails.

Both can be found on small caliber (rimfire) rifles, air rifles and even some centerfire rifles (sport, tactical).

Physical properties and dimensions

For a better hold on the rifle, the upper side of the dovetail is wider than the lower side. Generally speaking, dovetail designs offer the possibility of mount installation without the use of screws. Scope mounts simply clamp onto the dovetail with sufficient force, so that there is no movement from recoil. Additionally, some 3/8” mm dovetails are designed with a recoil lug, which offers even better resistance against recoil. This is most common with centerfire rifles.

For an even more versatile mount installation, some rifles have holes in the receiver. On such rifles, you can choose either to use the dovetail or the holes in the receiver.

The slopes on the 3/8” dovetail are at an angle of 45 degrees. The mounting surface can be designed in two length styles on the receiver – as a full-length dovetail or as two separate dovetail parts.

An example of a 3/8” dovetail as used on Mossberg Plinkster

Figure 1: An example of a 3/8” dovetail as used on Mossberg Plinkster (Source: https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/mossberg-rifles/pre-owned---mossberg-802-plinkster--22-lr-rifle.cfm?gun_id=101337659)

The Difference Between 11 mm and 3/8” Dovetails

Although similar at first sight, there are quite a few differences in the design of the two versions of the dovetail mounting surface.

As can be seen in the image below, the American dovetail's 3/8" represents the width of the dovetail measured across the bottom and the European dovetail's "11 mm" represents the width of the dovetail measured across the top. Furthermore, it is important to note, that the angle of the slopes is different too; with 60 degrees on the 11 mm and 45 degrees on the 3/8" dovetail.

You can read our short article on the topic here.

3/8-inch dovetail

Figure 2: 3/8-inch dovetail

11 mm dovetail

Figure 3: 11 mm dovetail

Here are some rifles with a round top 3/8” mm dovetail:

<a href="https://admin2.optics-trade.eu/us/mounts/shopby/compatibility_below-cz_452_3_8.html" title="Scope Mounts for CZ 452 (3/8" )"="" target="_blank" tabindex="0">CZ 452
<a href="https://admin2.optics-trade.eu/us/mounts/shopby/compatibility_below-cz_453_3_8.html" title="Scope Mounts for CZ 453 (3/8" )"="" target="_blank" tabindex="0">CZ 453
Marlin 982
Marlin XT-17
Marlin XT-22
Ruger American Rimfire
Savage 46
Savage 63
Savage 64/Stevens 62
Savage Cub
Savage Mark II (Dovetail)
Savage Model 24
Savage Model 34
Savage Model 73
Winchester Model 61
Winchester Model 9422
Mossberg Plinkster

Best Scope Mounts for 3/8” Dovetail

Due to the differences between 11 mm and 3/8”, the mounts between the two standards are not interchangeable. Nevertheless, the American company BKL manufactures scope mounts that should offer enough clearance to be able to fit both 11 mm and 3/8" surfaces.

Furthermore, the scope mounts recommendations below also apply to rifles with a 3/8" round top dovetail.

Fixed Scope Mounts for 3/8” Dovetail

Fixed one-piece scope mounts require tools for attaching and detaching from the rifle's mounting surface. One-piece, two-part mounts use a base onto which the two rings are attached whereas the monoblocs or one-piece one-part mounts are usually milled from a single piece of material, with the lower end of the rings merged with the base.

One-Piece Fixed Scope Mounts for 3/8” Dovetail

If you are looking for a one-piece solution for your 3/8” dovetail you might consider this unitized scope mount which is made of aluminum and is manufactured by the American company BKL.

Two-Piece Fixed Scope Mounts for 3/8” Dovetail

When it comes to fixed scope mounts for 3/8” rounded dovetail, you would be hard-pressed to find a better solution than these BKL 0.6" Long Dovetail Rings nowadays.

Thanks to the BKL’s patented Auto-CenteringTM system, they will fit on both 11 mm and 3/8” dovetails. They are made of aluminum, offer an abundance of quality for their price, and come with a 2-year warranty.

Detachable Repeatable Scope Mounts for 3/8” Dovetail

Scope mounts that offer repeatability can be found in this category. Because the mounts always apply the same force to the dovetail base when clamping onto it, the scope will maintain its zero even when it is removed and reinstalled. The terms quick release (QR) and quick detachable (QD) are frequently used to refer to different types of detachable mounting.

There is not a great number of detachable repeatable scope mounts for a 3/8" dovetail available on the market. However, you can couple it with Picatinny on the lower end. We recommend this BKL dovetail to the Weaver/Picatinny Adaptor Mount which will solve the issue. It fits on both 11 mm and 3/8" dovetails.

Then on top of your Picatinny you can install the scope mount of your choice. This Henneberger one-piece mounting solution often gains a place among our top picks for detachable repeatable mounts. It is made of durable aluminum and is fully manufactured in Germany.

Picatinny Rails for 3/8” Dovetail

If you want to convert your 3/8” dovetail to Picatinny, you can simply use the previously mentioned adaptor mount from the BKL company that fits both 11 mm and 3/8” dovetails.

Help Us Build Our Riflescope Mounts Database

If you happen to own this or any other rifle, we would appreciate it if you could help us expand our database by sending us some photos of the rifle receiver (the bare mounting surface of the rifle without the scope mounts installed). For your help, our company offers a fair return in terms of practical rewards.

Please send us an email for more information. You can contact us here: info@optics-trade.eu

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3/8 Inch Dovetail

Sub Categories

General description

Physical properties and dimensions

The Difference Between 11 mm and 3/8” Dovetails

Best Scope Mounts for 3/8” Dovetail

Fixed Scope Mounts for 3/8” Dovetail

One-Piece Fixed Scope Mounts for 3/8” Dovetail

Two-Piece Fixed Scope Mounts for 3/8” Dovetail

Detachable Repeatable Scope Mounts for 3/8” Dovetail

Picatinny Rails for 3/8” Dovetail

Help Us Build Our Riflescope Mounts Database

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