Determining ring height?

[Sniper66]

What is the best way figure out the proper ring height for new scope on a new rifle? My gun smith always took care of that, but sadly he died and I will be doing it on my own. (About time, eh?) I recently did so on for an Anschutz 1502 and ordered low rings from Talley. They were too low and had to return them and exchange for medium. That worked OK and I installed the correct rings.....all good. But, I'd rather buy the right rings the first time. Also installed a set of rings on a Remington 700 .270 and just kinda guessed the ring height and got lucky (there's gotta be a better way.) I've ordered a Sako FinnFire II 17HMR (to be delivered next week) and have a Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10X 40mm to mount. I would rather not pay for the expensive proprietary Sako rings and don't like the top closing Talley rimfire rings. How do you measure for the proper ring height?

 

[243winxb]

http://www.sako.fi/scope-mounts

 

[bangswitch]

Put your rifle to your face like you are aiming, get a good cheek weld in the most naturally held position and note where your eye is relative to the bore of the barrel. measure this height, then choose rings that will place the scope at this height. Take into consideration the overall diameter of the objective lens of the scope. You don't want it to contact the barrel or handguard. Whatever gets you the best eye position and clears the barrel is where you want to be.

Alternatively, just get the lowest rings that allow the scope to clear the barrel or handguard, and modify your cheek position on the stock to place your eye correctly.

One other factor to consider is the bolt handle; it has to fully open and move without hitting the scope.

 

[Sniper66]

Put your rifle to your face like you are aiming, get a good cheek weld in the most naturally held position and note where your eye is relative to the bore of the barrel. measure this height, then choose rings that will place the scope at this height. Take into consideration the overall diameter of the objective lens of the scope. You don't want it to contact the barrel or handguard. Whatever gets you the best eye position and clears the barrel is where you want to be.

Alternatively, just get the lowest rings that allow the scope to clear the barrel or handguard, and modify your cheek position on the stock to place your eye correctly.

One other factor to consider is the bolt handle; it has to fully open and move without hitting the scope.

Thanks for the thoughtful suggestions. These ideas and the chart above are both helpful. The new rifle should be here later next week and I already have the scope. The next dilemma will be which scope rings to choose since I really don't want to pay the exorbitant price of Sako rings and mounts. Thanks again.