The problem with doing that is that you'll flex the scope tube due the the immobility of the front ring. If you take your time to set it all up right, this system can work well even though it lacks the strength of other systems. Doing it right is the key.

The front ring on the leopold base will swivels, that's how it locks in place. So does the back ring.

It will turn, but it requires force. You have to turn it deliberately. Just playing with the windage-adjustable rear base will not turn the front ring into the proper alignment.

I have a marlin lever gun with a problem with the receiver alignment to the barrel. I ended up having to go with a Leopold mount and adjust the back screws to line up the scope, so I've been there and done that...

That's one application where the windage-adjustable rear base makes some sense. But you still have to take great care to make sure you're not flexing your scope tube when you adjust that rear mount. If you read the instructions for mounting the front dovetail-type ring, they caution you to NOT turn the ring using the the scope tube. Adjusting the rear mount for windage is exactly the same thing if you do nothing to turn that front ring by some other means---and it DOES need to turn a very minute amount if you adjust the rear for windage. It's a PITA to do one right, but it CAN be done.

I have a rifle that has some kind of alignment problem too, but I went with Warne steel Weaver-style bases and Burris Signature Zee rings with offset inserts. With that setup, you don't have to jump through a bunch of hoops to get the alignment needed without stressing the scope tube...it's really rather easy and a stronger, more reliable mount.

For a R700, the easy and better solution is use a pic rail and pic rings, even with 1” hunting scopes. Ring/base combos such as Talleys are an easy and affordable solution as well.

If they were steel and not butt ugly...but such is not the case.

Pic rails and rings are available in either steel or aluminum.

I’ve used both, but do prefer NF steel rings.

Gear that works looks nice to my eye.

Steel weaver-style works just fine.

Yes they do. Until a person cant get his or her, eye relief set "just right". Then he has to live with whatever relief the scope's location maxed out at. When a scope objective, or magnification ring nears hitting a ring, with a pic rail, move the ring to a different notch.

Yes, that's true. A picatiny rail does offer more flexibility than other systems. I'd consider one for some rifles, like maybe a 700 Police or other tactical style rifle, but not something like a 700 CDL for instance. I wasn't aware they were abailable in steel, thoigh.

EGW makes good steel pic rails for the R700. Affordable too.