SPUHR ISMS mounts

I first saw the SPUHR Ideal Scope Mount System (ISMS) on the Open Season stand at this year’s British Shooting Show. I had never heard of them before, but the general design just reeked of quality and ability! The company is Swedish and started life making mounting solutions for Aimpoint, then grew into a designer/manufacturer in its own right. They offer a number of military products with the ISMS being the only one that crosses over into sports shooting.Essentially you get two choices of mount - a one-piece unit machined for a solid block of 7075 aluminium alloy in reach forward (good for AR15s) or standard layout. Then there are individual rings for rifles with bases. All can be made to fit just about any existing base system; though Picatinny is by far the most popular. I have also seen dedicated units for Accuracy International, Sauer and Sako.

Down Bubble

The mounts cater for either 30 or 34mm bodied scopes and are available with a built-in angle (tilt) for longer range use. Standard is 20 and 30 MOA but customers can choose from a number of options. The ISMS offers a number of unique features; for example the 6-screw top caps are not only wide but split at a 45° angle to the right. Given turrets are always set on the centre and right this gives a clearer view for dialling in corrections or checking setting etc.
Most practical is the short length of Picatinny rail that can be used for mounting lasers, lights etc. To compliment this there are eight hard points on the rings and main body it can be fitted too. One exceptionally clever feature I have never seen before is an angled slot for a wedge (supplied) that pushes between the base of the mount and the scope body to stop it rolling as you tighten the rings down. Perhaps not a big issue for shorter range work, but for longer distances, if you are not dead level, then for example an elevation correction could also add unwanted windage or vice versa.

On the Level

The one-piece base uses a full-length locking plate with five fixing screws; here you can nominate the head type from Allan, Torx or even nut fixtures. Designed to be compatible with all 1” Weaver/Picatinny rails the interface features two recoil lugs. At the back is a level bubble, which allows you to ensure the rifle platform is upright to launch that perfect shot! Overall this is one impressive design and piece of engineering! Certainly not for everyone as the pricing indicates, but if you have the best scope and rifle you might as well make them one with probably the best scope mounting system I have seen to date…

•Name: SPHUR ISMS
•Prices: £395
•Contact: Open Season, 01865 891773
•www.spuhr.com
•For: Strong and versatile scope mounting systems
•Against: Expensive but very good
•Verdict: If you have the need; money well spent

1, As can be seen the SPHUR ISMS scope mount is one serious piece of engineering, note the removable rail section that allows ancillary mounting options likes light or lasers
2, Integral to the rear base is a level bubble; good idea for a precision rifle