...there are excellent aluminum setups out there...you didn't mention your particular application, but just to name a couple... Davidson bases and kelbly type rings are universally accepted within the benchrest community... also, am impressed with Darrel Holland's Rem setup i.e. one piece aluminum base & lower ring unit + top ring half is steel... these have the most base coverage of any, for a remington at least... if you're looking for a really inexpensive aluminum setup, try the new "Talley" aluminums, if they're made for your application... aluminum will never be as "strong" as steel, but steel will never be as "lightweight" as aluminum... just match your intended purpose with good quality stuff and you'll always be happy... hope this helps... Larry