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Does it matter where the rings are on a scope tube |
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slowr1der
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/25/2010 Status: Offline Points: 247 |
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Posted: April/01/2011 at 23:58 |
Does it matter where the scope rings are on a scope tube? The thought of this had never crossed my mind until recently, and I realized I don't know the answer. The reason I ask is I've see several rifles that had bases that were fairly short so the rings weren't far apart and the scope had to be almost all the way forward in the rings to get a proper eye relief. So one ring is very close to the adjustment part, while the other is right back near the magnification ring. Is this okay? Or do you want the rings in the center portions of the scope as much as possible?
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bugsNbows
Optics God bowsNbugs Joined: March/10/2008 Location: North Georgia Status: Offline Points: 11201 |
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Centered is preferred, but all is ok with your set-up. Some folks suggest (especially with very long, heavy tubes or hard kickers) using the widest, centered spacing possible for balance and support. I've never had any issues one way or another. In fact, I had a Ruger #1 that necessitated a rearward, uncentered mounting that worked just fine for years. It just depends on the scope tube length, ER, etc.
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If we're not suppose to eat animals...how come they're made of meat?
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jonoMT
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: November/13/2008 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 4853 |
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Mostly it's important not to over-tighten the rings. In some scopes, that could bind the internals, especially near the turrets.
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Reaction time is a factor...
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tman1965
Optics Master Joined: July/20/2010 Location: South Georgia Status: Offline Points: 1456 |
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I agree with jono... I don't think placement matters as much as torque.
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stickbow46
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: January/07/2009 Location: Benton, Pa Status: Offline Points: 4678 |
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+2 Jono.
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Pearls of Wisdom are Heard not Spoken
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Poodleshooter1
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/15/2010 Status: Offline Points: 116 |
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I tend to keep them away from the bells and the turrets, but especially away from the turrets due to that overtorque issue.
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brodeur272
Optics Journeyman Joined: September/23/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 609 |
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Like they said, overtorquing is the biggest issue (at least I find)... |
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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Ring placement on the tube doesn't matter as long as the rings are gripping the straight tube diameter only and don't bite into the corner radiuses where the tube transitions to the eyepiece housing, objective bell, and turret housing. Position the scope in the rings wherever you have to for eye relief and clearance for bolt handle and barrel. As has already been mentioned, don't overtorque the rings, regardless of where they grip the tube. |
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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300S&W
Optics God Joined: January/27/2008 Location: Burlington,WV Status: Offline Points: 10592 |
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I do remember John Barsness having a problem with breaking reticles on 6X Leupolds because of the rear ring placement I believe. I'll see if I can find the article. |
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"I ain't got time to bleed!"
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13182 |
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In principle, ring placement is not important if everything is set up properly.
However, there are a few caveats: in a few places along the tube (and this varies for different scopes), you can accidentally bind one of the moving components even if the ring is very slightly overtightened. The most common problem like that is locking up side focus adjustment when the front ring is placed in a wrong spot. Also, if the base or rings are very slightly misaligned, placing the rings as far as part as possible will minimize the torquing action and damage to the scope tube. ILya
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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Yep, excellent point.
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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Roy Finn
MODERATOR Steiner Junkie Joined: April/05/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4856 |
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I can recall a conversation with John Barsness regarding some of Leupold's fixed power scopes and ring placement. Apparently on the 6x42, if the rear ring is tightened to much it can break the reticle cell as the reticle is located right at the locking ring where the threads start for the ocular assembly. Also with Leupold's short tubed fixed and variables like the 1.5-5x20, 1-4x20 and the straight power 2.5X, the front ring should not be directly over the objective lense and over tightened. I'm sure this applies to other brands too and not just Leupold's. I'm guilty of over tightening rings and now what I do if I feel that a hard kicker might shift do to recoil. I spray the inside of the ring surfaces with spray adhesive such as 3M light duty adhesive or, as was suggested by a friend that manages the gunsmithing operations at Griffin & Howe, I use rosin to prevent scope slippage.
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