Scope Mounting Question

[WYO]

I am trying to mount a scope using standard Leupold 2 piece bases (dovetail/windage) and rings. After the front ring has been twisted on using a dowel, and the top of the front ring is removed, I find that there is no way that I can manipulate the scope tube into the bottom of the front ring without some gap between the bottom of the scope tube and the ring. There is a slight amount of binding no matter how I manipulate the scope. I can get the scope to fit entirely flush with the rear ring. Is the front ring useable and/or can it damage the scope if I use it? I did a search on TFL and THR and could not locate anything. Thanks for any help.

 

[Art Eatman]

Both rings in place. Tops off both front and rear rings. Placing scope on rings shows rear is aligned; at the front ring there is a gap.

Is my understanding correct?

If so, it sounds like you didn't twist the front ring fully into position.

Just guessing, of course.

Next quick-check: Does the scope fit the front ring if you place it ONLY into that ring?

Art

 

[Legionnaire]

I'm wth Art. Sounds like the front ring isn't exactly in line with the bore. I went to a machinist friend and got a 12" length of steel bar, exactly 1" in diameter. I use this for test fitting ring alignment as I can torque the rings down on the bar without damage. Works very well, especially for getting the dovetail base rings aligned.

 

[WYO]

Art, I can't get the scope to fit flush into the front ring (top off) when the rear ring isn't even mounted on the gun, no matter how I manipulate the scope. So, no, the scope doesn't fit right if I place it only into the front ring.

 

[rugerfreak]

What exactly is the scope you're trying to mount????

 

[Soap]

Perhaps you're fitting a 30mm scope into 1" rings?

 

[hksw]

Just sounds like the tolerances are just a bit tight on the front lower ring when in place on its mount. Could be, when twisted into the correct position, there is just enough force upward from the base due to the dovetails to force the arms of the ring inward just s tiny bit to prevent the scope from fully seating easily.

IMO, the best thing to do is to lap the rings. This should, not only, relieve the proper amount og material on the rings to seat the scope without binding, but also properly align the rings.

 

[cratz2]

You are sure they are the correct sized rings right? As DF says, it may be a 30mm scope tube. Is there a sizable gap between the scope and the base of the inside diameter of the ring? Or is there just a slight rocking of the scope when you try to rest it on both rings?

Any way at all you can take a picture of the problem and post it?

If it's at all possible, take the gun, scope and rings into a gun shop. They shouldn't charge you more than $20 to mount, balance, rotate... oops... I mean, mount and bore sight it.

 

[cratz2]

And are you absolutely sure you have the right mounts? Any chance at all you could either have the wrong mounts or the wrong mount was put in the package?

Don't laugh... It has happened.

 

[WYO]

Thanks for all the input folks. The scope is a Leupold Vari-X III 2.5x8, and the base is the correct base looking at the part number on the package and comparing it against the Leupold catalog, and the rings are the standard low mount Leupold 1 inch rings for the standard base. The rear ring works fine. I think that hksw is correct, as the gap/binding is very slight. Any suggestions on the lapping procedure? Thanks again.

 

[hksw]

I've been using Wheeler's scope ring lapping/alignment tool set. It's been doing well for me. Last set I lapped were Leupold QR rings for a modified 8.5-25X LR (30 mm). A little messy, but as long as you mask off the rifle with tape when you lap you should be OK. There are a couple other scope lapping manufacturers out there.

Can't recall where I got mine but Sportsmans Guide sells 1" sets for about $30. a bit of cash for something that you'll probably not use very often but they work.

Before you do it though, although the 36 mm objective of your 2.5-8X should clear almost all of the rifles out there on low rings, JUST TO BE SURE, look to see that the objective bell hitting the barrel or a rear iron sight (if you have one) is not what is causing the scope from not seating in the ring.

 

[hksw]

I remember where I got the set. It was from Midway.

 

[WYO]

Thanks, hksw. I'll probably go ahead and order the set. What's a few more bucks. Yes, the scope clears the barrel with the low rings, and there is no rear sight. Again, the Leupold catalog said to use the low rings.