Thought I'd jump in on this one too. I use Leupold Quick Release mounts, have done for years but before that I used Sportsmatch and before that probably some cheap tat because I knew no better.
Once you start paying £1000+ for your rifle then the same for the scope why on earth ruin that with cheap poorly made mounts which will probably end up marking the rifle and scope?
I think a lot of this disscussion is also without context. Cheap rifle, cheap scope plinking at 25-30 yards at your local air gun club cheap mounts would be appropriate. Expensive rifle, expensive scope, competition shooting at varible ranges from 10-55yds and travelling to those competitons by car the costs are now soaring up so to put on cheap mounts with all that potential for knocks and it's not worth the risk.
As I said I use the Leupold mounts because I shoot multiple disciplines with a single rifle. So I'll shoot HFT with one scope, whip it off put on the FT scope, re fill and I'm good to go again. No POA issues. They are fitted to weaver rails which makes the alighnment almost bombproof. It's also for removal for fitting in cabinets, cleaning and general transport. For me that more than makes up for the initial cost.
I remember having to shim a scope once but not since I bought decent mounts.
Steyr Challenge HFT - HW97K - BSA Mercury Challenger - Anschutz 9015 One - AA Pro Target - AA Pro Elite - ASI Paratrooper (R) - Walther LP500