Scope mount

[kkayser]

I ordered a Leupold 7-42 scope. I am uncertain about the mounting rings. The rifle (Volquartsen)has a Weaver style mount. The Leupold rings are all steel, all machined. The Burris XTR Signature rings use self-aligning inserts. I have no doubt that the Leupold rings are extremely accurately machined. However the rail is not precision machined, and the alignment of the rings is only as good as the rail. The Burris rings compensate for any misalignment, but use plastic inserts.

Any thoughts?

 

[ironworkerwill]

Yes the Burris rings will self center to a point. Most alignment errors are minimal anyway.
The Leupold rings can be lapped also.

 

[gwpercle]

Mount the scope and shoot some groups , you may not have any problems at all. The proof is in the shooting.

 

[kitsapshooter]

Mount the scope.
Take the scope out of the rings
lap the rings
put scope on and bang away

 

[kkayser]

thanks

I found out that the Burris 34mm are not currently available,and ordered the Leupold rings. I appreciate the advice on lapping. I don't want any bending force put on the scope tube.

Does anyone have a good URL on lapping.

 

[ironworkerwill]

Potterfield lapping rings with the Wheeler brand barhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWv7SiBheV0 Its stupid simple, I made my own by using 1'' cold roll and valve grinding compound. 1'' round will not be as precise as the bought one but it's easy to check for straightness with a precision straight edge.

 

[kkayser]

Scope alignment, how to check

I called Leupold and was told that lapping is "totally unnecessary". when I pointed out that the rail might not be straight he had no response.

The suggestion that I check with a straight edge is excellent. I think I will also check with the scope itself. I might cover the rings with chalk, put the scope in place and gently rotate it slightly. Then check the chalk pattern on the scope.

Does anyone know of any substance other than chalk to do this.

 

[Dentite]

I don't like the idea of inserts in rings to compensate for misalignment or as an attempt to gain elevation etc.

I have lapped quite a few scope rings thus far. If you buy a Wheeler lapping kit, they come with two "alignment" bars that have sharp points at the ends (imagine two sharpened pencils with their tips touching). You can put those bars in the rings with the points nearly touching and snug down the rings. This will show you how well the rings are aligned to each other.

It does not show you how well each ring fits the bar, just how well aligned the two rings are.

If the two points on the bar are perfect or nearly perfect, you could just mount your scope and you will likely not have any problems.

If they are slightly out of alignment and you want to correct that, then lap the rings.

If they are in acceptable alignment, but you want to improve the ring to scope fit (basically increase the surface area of the ring to scope contact), then lap the rings.

I use the following method:

Install the rings onto the rifle and snug down, but do not final torque. Place scope in rings and just lightly snug down the screws. Check to make sure these rings work for your setup. Check the height to make sure the scope clears the barrel and if it's a bolt action, make sure the bolt handle clears the scope. Make sure the mounting position allows for adequate eye relief, etc.

If you decide these are the rings for you, then go ahead and tighten down the rings onto the rifle.

Then check the alignment with the alignment bars.

Lap if required.

Lapping is easy but a little messy. I don't take the rings off to clean up...I want them to stay where they are after lapping. I usually use rings that have a top half and bottom half. The bottom half stays on the rifle. So I am cautious with how much lapping compound I use and I cover the rifle with plastic bags, tape, etc. You don't want compound anywhere but inside the rings if you can avoid it. You can clean up the top half and the screws off the rifle which makes things easier.

Clean up with alcohol and once spotless, mount your scope.

 

[sage5907]

I'm not an expert at mounting Leupold scopes but I have mounted a lot of them. I tend to follow what the Leupold representative told you about lapping being totally unnecessary. I would place the lower half of each ring on the rifle and tighten them down. Then I would place the scope in the lower half of the rings to see how it fits. If it drops to the bottom of both rings and seems to fit all the way to the bottom without any binding and the fit looks good I would then install the top halfs and tighten the ring screws. The Leupold rings have very tiny grooves that grip the scope and these grooves grip the scope without making ring marks. Their system is well thought out and I wouldn't lap the rings unless there was a big problem.

 

[Grumulkin]

I have mounted bunches of scopes. Back when I drank some bad Kool Aid, I bought the stuff to lap scope rings and have hever used it. I've never lapped scope rings in my life. That goes for stuff like the 17 HMR on up to the 460 Weatherby Magnum. If you have a quality base and good rings you shouldn't have to lap scope rings.

 

[sage5907]

I went back and reread what you said in your first post about the rail not being precision machined. It's hard to believe that in today's era of making rifles on a CNC machine that your $1,200 rifle wouldn't be capable of mounting a scope without problems. It seems to me that the part of the machining that is critical is the grooves. The sides of the rail could be rough but as long as the grooves are precision cut and exactly parallel to each other the scope would go on straight with the Leupold PRW rings.