Hawke Tactical Cantilever Mount Review: A Problem Solver?

The Hawke Tactical Cantilever Ring Mount is a neat design, and it is one of those specialist mounts that can get us out of a mounting problem, courtesy of its versatile specification.

What Are its Key Mounting Features?

The cantilever profile means a large section of the mount (2”) can be used to reach forward or back, depending on orientation. The 2.75” long Picatinny/Weaver base means this mount will squeeze in where space is at a premium. Two chunky bolts can be finger-tightened, with holes for an Allen key to fully secure them if needed.

How Does it Fit Different Picatinny Rails?

Cleverly, the Picatinny/Weaver recoil cross bars can be withdrawn and turned over, which then creates a smooth profile. But as the instructions point out, just make one bar inactive, and the mount will still stay put under heavy provocation. This feature is useful, as many guns with Picatinny-style mounting don’t have standard spacing. Two fixed recoil bars won’t always align, so being able to remove one makes it much more likely the mount will fit snugly.

Are There Any Downsides to the Design?

On the downside, each ring is secured with six screws, which feels excessive and becomes tedious when fitting or swapping scopes. The small felt pads inside the base of each ring are also unnecessary in my experience and may become tacky over time.

What Are the Other Design Benefits?

Moving on to the positives, the hollow central section offers two key benefits: it reduces weight and provides a channel that can allow open sights to be viewed through the mount on certain setups. The overall profile creates a high sight line, making it ideal for scopes with large objectives.

Technical Specifications

 
• Name: Hawke Tactical Cantilever Ring Mount
 
• Available Sizes: 1 inch and 30mm
 
• Base Type: Picatinny/Weaver
 
• Base Length: 2.75 inches
 
• Cantilever Reach: 2 inches
 
• Key Feature: Adjustable/removable recoil cross bars
 
• Price (1-inch): £89
 
• Price (30mm): £95
 
• Contact: Hawke Optics - www.hawkeoptics.com