Choosing the right AUS Mount

Here we have a quick guide to better explain the options you have when it comes to the  Reptilia AUS mount. We offer quite the variety of options for a variety of shooting styles and optics.  

The Diameters

30mm, 34mm, 35mm

Currently these are the most common diameters in LVPOs and various riflescopes. While there are others out there such as 1 inch and soon to be 36mm, rest easy knowing your optic will probably fall into the 3.

The Lengths

34mm Standard and Short (K-Series)

The 34mm AUS has a standard length of 3.25 inches from the inside of the front ring to the inside of the back ring. This is adequate distance for most scopes to comfortably allow a solid mount while providing enough eye. Some optics are now utilizing a more compact body which makes things a tad more difficult. The AUS mount “short” or “K series” is going to have a measurement of 2.5inches from the inside of the front ring to the inside of the back ring. While .75 inches doesn’t seem like a big deal, this will make all the difference for the compact mounts.

The AUS short length was designed for a specific optic – the Vortex AMG  1-10 contract but will work perfectly with optics such as the Eotech Vudu 5-25.

The Heights

1.54(39mm), 1.70(43mm), 1.93(49mm)

1.54

The 39mm mount height is quite standard and a nice height as it is closer to the bore axis, which minimizes the offset between the line of sight and bullet trajectory. This makes it more suitable for short to mid-range shooting where precision is crucial.

Also, being closer to the rifle, it can provide a more stable platform for the optic, reducing the likelihood of zero-shift after recoil or accidental knocks.

The downsides, however, it will be less comfortable for some shooters: shooters with larger builds or those wearing bulky gear might find the lower mount less forgiving, as it requires a more pronounced cheek weld to the stock.

It’s also not really ideal for Rapid Target Acquisition: The lower sight line might slow down target acquisition, especially in dynamic shooting scenarios.

1.70

With the 1.70 mount, you have a more balanced position, as this height is often considered a middle ground, offering a balance between speed and precision. It’s high enough to allow for rapid target acquisition while maintaining a relatively minimal offset between sight and bore.

 For some, it is a tad more versatile, suitable for a broader range of shooting styles and scenarios, including both tactical and sport shooting.

With that though, you will have a slight Increase in offset. There’s a slightly increased offset between the sight line and the bore axis compared to the 39mm mount, which might affect shooting at extreme ranges. There is also a slight adjustment period as shooters transitioning from lower mounts might need time to adjust.

1.93

As for the 1.93, the higher sight line is particularly advantageous in fast-paced scenarios, allowing for quicker, more comfortable target acquisition without the need to press the cheek as firmly into the stock.

This is a bit more Ideal for shooting positions where the shooter is upright or on the move, as it aligns more naturally with the shooter’s line of sight.

HOWEVER, you now have an increased Offset: The higher the optic, the greater the offset from the bore axis. This can affect long-range precision, as shooters must account for a more significant bullet drop over distance. The higher mounts are also not ideal for shooters shooting in the prone position, always something to consider.

With this will also come some stability concerns: Higher mounts might be more susceptible to being knocked off zero, especially with heavy optics or in rough handling scenarios.

The choice between 39mm, 1.70 inches, and 1.93 inches mount heights depends largely on the shooter’s preferences, body ergonomics, and the specific use case of the firearm. Lower mounts like 39mm offer precision and stability, mid-range heights like 1.70 inches provide a balance of speed and accuracy, while higher mounts like 1.93 inches excel in rapid target engagement and comfort in dynamic shooting situations. They are also great options for night vision use or if you have a lot of accessories at the front of the gun and need clearance.  It’s often advisable to experiment with different heights to find the most suitable option for individual needs

Accessories

Reptilia offers a wide variety of accessories that can be used with the AUS for piggy backing a range of red dots, range finders, anti cant devices, and will continue to bring new ideas and innovation to the AUS system. While we would love for the accessories such as the ROF line and the offset tools to work with a variety of other manufacturers parts, the AUS dimensions were designed after a user group who fielded the Geissele Super Precision mounts which we carried over to the AUS. While other makers such as Badger utilize a few of the same offset accessories, they will not be compatible.