For the best performance from your riflescope, selecting the correct ring mounts is crucial. A challenging task is picking out the right height of rings.
There are several popular rifle setups you can choose from in this guide, as well as tips to help you decide which one will work the best for you.
What Is The Ring Height?
It depends on the diameter of the objective lens of the riflescope that determines the ring height required. Finally, correct ring size is imperative for ensuring riflescopes clear the top of barrels.
Furthermore, the gap will not be too wide. Not the side of the glass, but the bell itself is used to measure the outside objective diameter. The height of the rings is measured between the top of the base and the bottom of the scope tube.
There Are Typically Three Sizes Of Rings:
The correct height ring should be selected by calculating the height of the riflescope’s widest point, which is usually the objective bell.
To determine the width of the ring mounting, you must know the distance between the two sides of the mounting. The next step is to select the ring mount height for your riflescope that is just over half its widest point.
By doing this, you will make sure the riflescope clears the barrel when it is mounted on the ring. Most shooters will leave a minimum space between the riflescope and barrel when installing a riflescope.
The line of sight can be held nearer the bullet trajectory, resulting in better accuracy when changing the distance of the target.
A rifle’s rails may sit higher than its barrel on some models. The extra height difference can be accounted for if the riflescope’s objective bell is above the barrel.
Best Way to Determine Scope Ring Height
For your rifle, it’s important to determine the appropriate height before ordering scope rings. I aim to eliminate the guesswork and trial and error involved in determining the scope ring height for your rifle in this article.
Scope Ring manufacturers have always been inconsistent in their measurements, making it difficult to determine the correct height to order. There is an easy and accurate way to determine the ring height of the scope that I devised.
Step #1
To mount your scope on your rifle, the first step is to install the mount. Be sure to carefully follow the directions provided by the manufacturer.
You must make sure that all male and female threads are thoroughly degreased before installing your scope mount. You now need a quality Torque Wrench graduated in inch-pounds to torque each screw to recommended specs.
It comes with a calibration certificate and is accurate, which is why I prefer the Vortex Optics Torque Wrench. As an additional recommendation, use some BLUE Loctite 242 on all male threads. You will no longer have scope mounting problems.
Step #2
You will need washers, coins, shims, etc. to make two equal stacks on top of the mount, approximately where your rings will be.
By placing your scope on top of the stacks, you can determine the height of the stacks. By adding or removing spacers, you can adjust the stack height, as long as there is enough clearance for scope covers and bolt operations, as applicable.
Step #3
Make sure you measure the stack height, preferably with a digital caliper. They are a good investment to make if you do not already own one, especially if you work on your firearms
There are lots of uses for them. It’s something I use constantly. You must own calipers to measure the thickness of a penny. An average penny measures .0593″ thick.
You will use this measurement to obtain your desired “saddle height”, or the distance between the top of the scope rail/mount and the bottom of the scope tube.
Ordering Your Scope Rings
Make sure you read the heights of rings carefully when ordering. Low, Medium, etc., are not the right terms. Manufacturers use different terms for this and it varies greatly between them.
As well as using saddle height for ring height, some companies measure rings from the top of the scope rail to the center of the ring.
When To Mount Lower
There are no adjustable cheekpieces on traditional rifle stocks. The cheekpieces on these stocks are slightly lower than those on the action or below the barrel axis.
To achieve a properly welded cheekpiece, the scope should be kept low in relation to the barrel. Make sure the bolt handle is clear when mounting the scope low and leave a small gap between the objective and the barrel.
Depending on the barrel contour, you can mount at a different height. Unless the barrel is very lightweight, the scope mount needs to be a little higher for a heavy bull barrel. Depending on the scope you have mounted or the iron sights your rifle has, you may need to cut the rear iron sight off or mount the scope higher.
When To Mount Higher
It is okay to select the higher ring height if your rifle cheekpiece is adjustable and you have an in-between ring height, or if you’re uncertain which ring height to select. However, the adjustable cheek piece will guarantee a proper cheek weld, even if the scope is farther from the barrel.
A scope mount that goes higher than the top of the stock on rifles with no drop in the stock, such as an AR10 or AR15, is needed for the shooter to get a proper cheek weld. It is only the MSR ring height that is suitable.
Final Words
You may buy the best spotting scope but if you cannot determine the ring height properly your hunting journey won’t be very pleasant. The following calculator will determine whether the scope and ring combination you’re using will fit your rifle’s barrel. Butler Creek’s scope covers and traditional bolt rifle scope mounts are taken into consideration by this calculator.
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