Handguns, Rifles & Shotguns > Rifles

Scope rings on rifles

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schoolcop:
Hey Guys, I'm pretty new and inexperienced when it comes to rifle shooting but, I would like to get more involved. I have a Savage FP10 in .223 that I just put on a Leupold Mk4 4-14X40 (?). I used Warne brand rings but it looks like I bought the wrong height. How do you know what size rings to use when mounting a scope on a bolt action? Is there a size ratio type rule to go by with the scopes front diameter? I think I'm using high size rings and I'm not getting a good fit with my cheek on the stock and trying to see through the scope. Thanks for any help.

Randy:
The lower the scope is mounted the better.

Measure the outside diameter of your scope's objective, then divide by that by two.
Example Mark 4 4.5-14x40mm LR/T Target  an O.D. of 50mm.  50/2=25mm (.98")

This will be the dimension above which the ring and bases combined will need to raise the scope's center-line to clear a barrel that is the same diameter as the action..

Once you have that key dimension, all you need to do is select a base and ring combination that equals that dimension plus
3mm-5mm to accommodate lens covers.
25mm+3mm=28mm (1.10")

Figure out how thick the base is.  IE: Badger Ordnance Remington 700 base is 7mm thick.
28mm-7mm=21mm (.82")

You will need rings which will take up the rest of the dimension. Pay attention because this is where most of the confusion and inconsistencies come from. Manufacturer's ring heights are not uniform from brand to brand, IE: Burris' low is not the same as Leupold's low.  Ignore their descriptions and go by the actual measurement of the ring.  The actual measurement of "ring height" is determined two different ways.  Some measure from the top of the base (where the ring contacts it) to the center-line of the ring (Fig. A).  Others measure from the top of the base to where the ring first contacts the scope (Fig. B).  If the brand you are considering measures their ring height like Fig. B, you will need to add 12.7mm for one inch scope and 15mm for 30mm scopes to get to the center-line of the ring which is also the center line of the scope.

The below diagram will help more than words.



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schoolcop:
Thanks Randy. I ended up going with Leupold  low, rings and they fit great. The bottom of the front objective is just a few mm above the barrel. Now the fun part, sighting it in. I may stop by a local gun shop and ask them to bore sight it just to get it in the neighborhood.

Randy:
schoolcop, I would not pay anyone to bore sight the scope.

Many shooters still prefer the old-fashioned way of bore-sighting -- remove the bolt, arrange the rifle in a steady rest, then aim through the bore at a target. Now adjust the scope's reticle to coincide with the target. This method is very simple and fairly accurate.

JimP:
I'll second Randy's suggestion...... unless you have more money than you need.  There are folks here that would be glad to help you out with that for nothing.... just ask.

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