Choosing scope rings for an AR-15

[MrOldLude]

This is basically a double-check on my math. I have a flat-top AR that I've been thinking about putting some glass on it.

The scope I'm thinking about is a budget model, as my AR is mostly for punching paper, and it's not set up for precision shooting. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productnumber=510964 The long and short is, I want a scope.

Simmons, 46.7 mm objective, 1" tube.

I've been reading here: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=524620

And the rule of thumb I'm seeing is to mount the scope about 1.4" to 1.5" above the rail from the center of the scope. Running the numbers for a 1" tube and a 1.5" height, I would want a pair of rings that had a ring-base to bottom of tube right at 1".

So http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=810257 ?

 

[JDGray]

I ran the Burris Xtream High rings on my flattop, was just right for me. The problem you run in to is the scope needs to be push all the way forward for proper eye relief, so the wider the rings, the less you can push it forward. You could always pick up an offset mount, made for ARs

Pic of Burris High rings

Pic of offset base, with plenty of more forward adjustment if needed.

 

[TonyAngel]

If you're trying to do this on a budget, go with a yankee hill 5" extension riser with a set of Warne medium height permanent attach rings. This will put the scope where it needs to be to get the proper eye relief and height.

 

[Walkalong]

If you're trying to do this on a budget, go with a yankee hill 5" extension riser

That is what I did for my range toy. Works just fine. I am using a Nikon Omega 1.5X6X36 scope. Super clear and low magnification range like I wanted, but 5" of eye relief, so it really has to be far forward.

The YHM risers are on sale too.

 

[highorder]

I'm using a YHM riser; it works well.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

I went with this and love it: Burris P.E.P.R.
Takes care of the height and the need to mount it a little more forward.

 

[MrOldLude]

Thanks for the tips. Based on the scope's published eye-relief (3.75") and my cheek-weld, the eyepiece will probably be set-back about 3/4" aft of the charging handle. So I don't think I'll need to offset it forward.

I may be totally mistaken though. I wish I had dimensions....

edit: Ah ha! http://www.simmonsoptics.com/resources/riflesope_mounting_dimensions.cfm

 

[TonyAngel]

My scope has 3.7" of eye relief. When I'm shooting sitting from a bench, I have my UBR stock fully extended and this is the position that I have my scope in....



When I shoot the rifle off hand, I shorten the stock to about the 3rd position and my cheek weld puts my eye just where it needs to be. If you want to be safe, get some sort of a cantilever mounting system to leave a bit of flexibility in your rig.

If you just want to mount right to the receiver with rings, you'll need ultra high rings, otherwise, you'll be using an eye socket weld, rather than a cheek weld.

 

[Kwanger]

A+1 on Tonys comment.....get a cantilever mount of some sort. You can always move them back a bit.....but with traditional rings, you can't always move forward enough.

The Burris PEPR mount mentioned above by someone is good value for money if you don't need quick detatch. If you do and don't mind spending more, either ADM or Larue mounts are great.

 

[MrOldLude]

Noted. I'm sketching up a drawing to see where everything might be.

But based on this topic, I just might go ahead and buy the above-mentioned Burris. In a theoretical world, it appears as if I could get away with the rings. But, theoretical only goes so far. So it'll ultimately come down to how my eyes work. And the mount would certainly give me more flexibility.

Thanks, all.

 

[Zerodefect]

Larue.

Expensive, but it's convenient to swap scopes without effecting my zero by more than 1moa, often only 1/4-1/2moa.

 

[usmc1371]

I have a leupold 4.5x14LR on my Les Baer .204 and tried to get away with just rings for over a year and it kind of pissed me off every time I picked the gun up, had to pull my head back from the scope every time. Now I have a YHM extended mount and have moved the scope foward and it is actuly fun to shoot. The rifle still shoots stupid small groups even with the cheap extended riser, I would like to get a nicer ($$$) riser some day but the cheap one seems to work just fine.