How to order the right rings when I can't actually try them out?

[The Grand Baboon]

I just received my Zeiss 3-9x40 Conquest scope from Opticsplanet for a steal of a price. When I took it and my CZ-550FS to Sportsman's Warehouse, the employee told me that I need special CZ-550 rings and that Sportsman's doesn't carry them, fair enough. He kindly recommended that I look at Warne's series of rings for the 550. Off to the internet!

I was considering the CZ 550 Medium rings offered by Warne from Opticsplanet, but I have a small concern. The size of the eye-bell on the Zeiss is quite large. With a Butler Creek scope cap, it's 47mm in diamter. I'm worried that even with medium sized rings, the scope won't be able to clear the bolt. Should I order a set of mediums or highs?

 

[jim243]

I have mixed feelings about the Butler Creek caps, sometimes I like them then sometimes I don't. BUT - you should be more concern about your cheek weld on the stock and how the scope meets your eye. Medium rings should be fine for your 40 mm objective, but if the lens caps are getting in the way, just get a set that won't like the slip ons instead of the butler creek ones with the fancy red button.

Jim

 

[Dentite]

What I've done in the past is use some scrap wood and make mock-up bases and see what height would be ideal to clear the barrel and bolt handle pathway and establish a good cheekweld.

Make sure to do this at the proper eye relief because that can impact scope-barrel clearance and bolt pathway.

Once you get it ideal using shims, trimming the wood, etc measure the distance from the action to the bottom of the scope using calipers (basically you are measuring the thickness of the wood).

Then find out the thickness of the sizes of bases + rings offered and buy whatever size you need.

Using the mockup you can establish the lowest possible rings you could use and then buy the size that closest but greater than that height.

If in doubt order two sizes if you can't decide between two and return the height you don't use (as long as no damage or wear occurs during trying them on the rifle).

You are smart to test it with the scope cap in place, and remember to test the path of the bolt. Zip ties can help hold everything together while you mount the rifle to your shoulder, cheek, etc.

Hope that helps. I'm sure there is more than one way to do it, this is just one way.

 

[The Grand Baboon]

Looks like great minds think alike, Dentite!

I called Warne, their medium rings give .425" of clearance (from the gun to the base of the scope tube) and their high rings give .535" of clearance. I made some mock .535" mounts out of some scrap oak I had lying around the woodshop. Looks like the bolt clears with a little bit to spare using the .535" mounts.

 

[Flatbush Harry]

One of the features of the CZ 550FS stock shape is the hogback comb. It is designed to give a good cheek weld using the iron sights rather than a scope. In part, this will suggest the lowest possible rings but also that you may very well need a cheek pad to get a decent weld.

This is not a problem. I have a very nice US Palm cheekpad for my M1A to give me the desired weld. Pads are widely available from many sources. You might call CZ-USA for guidance on rings.

Good luck,

FH

 

[The Grand Baboon]

I actually ran into the same problem with cheek-weld with my CZ-452 and a scope. I had to sew a leather pouch that fit over the stock with a 1/2" foam sleeping pad insert. The whole deal ended up being about 3/4", which was perfect, but definitely looked like a home job. For my CZ-550, I was wanting something a bit more classy and professional looking. I'm willing to spend money, basically. Can you recommend anything (hopefully something that matches a dark walnut)?

 

[sleepyone]

Don't rely on the manufacturer for correct information either. I called Talley directly to make sure I ordered the correct height rings for a 40mm scope on my 336C and specifically told him I wanted to leave my rear sight on. He said the low rings would work just fine. Well... they did not, so I had to return them to Midway and pay the shipping. I should have done it myself to be sure.

 

[Skylerbone]

A few ideas: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Triple-K-Leather-Cheek-Pad/706669.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3DCheek%2Bpad%26x%3D0%26y%3D0%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=Cheek+pad&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products. http://www.cheeknstock.com/main.html. http://www.czechmauseritis.com/leathergoods_new8_31_2012_002.htm

 

[Halal Pork]

I'm afraid if you don't use high rings, bolt clearance is going to be too tight. I have medium Leupold rings on one of my CZ 550 American rifles. The scope is an FX-3 6x42mm. I'll try to put a photo I've posted before when I was playing with different optics/rifle combos, trying to figure out what could go best with what.

1. Swarovski 6x with CZ high rings (not a good combo due to LOP versus eye relief)

2. Leupold 6x42mm with medium Leupold rings. Good combo. Good bolt clearance.

3. Swarovski 3-9x36mm with CZ high rings. Good combo. Good bolt clearance.

I'm afraid with your scope, better go with high rings.

 

[The Grand Baboon]

After some more playing around with different sized wood blocks, It looks like the "high" option offered by Warne is going to be the best bet. I have some on order from Opticsplanet.