Scope mounting and height questions

[greg788]

How much difference is it between mounting a scope with low rings rather than medium rings?

And should the screws be loctited down?

I just bought a TC Icon and mounted a Leupold VXII 3x9 on it. They only had medium height rings and it appears I could have used the low height rings. The height difference is approx. 1/4".

Should I be anal enough to replace the medium rings with low rings or does it even matter? I get a good cheek weld with these medium rings anyway.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Personally I am anal enough to switch them out - I want my scopes as low as I can get them, for close shots, when the bullet is well below the line of sight - the less differential, the better.

 

[30Cal]

Pick the rings that get you a comfortable, solid head position for the position(s) that you typically shoot.

 

[MCMXI]

How much difference is it between mounting a scope with low rings rather than medium rings?

And should the screws be loctited down?

I just bought a TC Icon and mounted a Leupold VXII 3x9 on it. They only had medium height rings and it appears I could have used the low height rings. The height difference is approx. 1/4".

Should I be anal enough to replace the medium rings with low rings or does it even matter? I get a good cheek weld with these medium rings anyway.

As has been mentioned, choose the lowest rings possible that still allow you to get a good head position (cheek weld) AND that will allow the scope to clear the barrel. Obviously, a good consistent sight picture is the most important thing but lower is better if possible. You didn't mention which brand of rings you bought, but Leupold ring screws should be tightened to about 20 in-lb (28 in-lb max) and personally I don't use loctite on those screws. I do use loctite when mounting the bases but with your fancy new Icon that won't be a problem with your integral bases. Leupold suggests tightening Mark 4 rings to 28 in-lb (in case you bought those), the bases to 18 in-lb and the 1/2" nut to 65 in-lb.

What Icon model did you buy? What caliber? I'm really intrigued by the Icon and would love to hear your thoughts, comments on its numerous features, how it performs etc.

 

[John828]

Yes, tell us about the Icon. Once you get it scoped, there must be a range day, and once that happens, a range report.

OTOH, medium height rings are fine for now. Order low rings if you want but get to the range and shoot, then tell us what you think. Looking at the stock design, I'd order the lowest rings that work.

 

[zammyman]

The lower the scope, the better from a physics aspect. I believe if it's a gun you're not going to shoot at long range, just use for hunting at 300 yards or less, best to have the scope at a height where it's comfortable (within reason).

 

[SwampWolf]

best to have the scope at a height where it's comfortable (within reason).

The point I would like to make is, assuming the rifle is stocked to accomodate a scope- most are these days, but some older rifles have comb heights that are so low they make any scope difficult to use comfortably, whether you're shooting at short ranges or long ranges and the "physics aspect" aside, the lower the scope, the more comfortable the rifle will be to shoot for most people.