Scope Ring Height and Rimfire Rifles

[Swifty Morgan]

How important is scope height for rimfire rifles, and what do "scope height" figures mean?

I was looking for rings for a rimfire scope, and I saw that Vortex offered one model in three heights. First of all, I don't know what "height" means in this context. Height to the bottom inside of the ring, from the top of the Weaver base? Search me. I know you can't put a huge scope too close to a barrel, but how I would relate that to a published ring height is beyond me.

Second, should I try to get as low as possible? It seems to me that I should, since the higher the scope is, the greater the error will be when I am surprised with close-up shots.

 

[Varminterror]

@RussellC asked me basically this same question recently in another thread, so I’ll answer it here:

First, be sure you understand how your manufacturer measures their rings - do they measure from the weaver/picatinny rail to the saddle of the ring, or from the rail to the center of the tube? If they measure to the center, I like to subtract 1/2 of the tube diameter so I know the distance from the rail to the saddle. That’s my ring height.

When I pick rings, I subtract the tube diameter from the objective bell diameter (spec books available online or measured myself), then divide the number by 2. That’s how much the bell hangs below the bottom of the tube - call this M. For AR’s or other flat top rifles, the ring height needs to be M + 1/8”.

If I’m on a normal sporting rifle, such my rail stands above the receiver, and the barrel tapers away, then I lay a straight edge over my rail and measure down to the barrel approximately where the objective bell will land. Call that W. So then my ring height needs to be M + 1/8” - W.

I usually check this before ordering a $80-250 set of rings by stacking two sets of playing card slices on the rail to the target height - if it clears the barrel and the bolt handle, I order my gear.

 

[Hoxviii]

How important is scope height for rimfire rifles, and what do "scope height" figures mean?

I was looking for rings for a rimfire scope, and I saw that Vortex offered one model in three heights. First of all, I don't know what "height" means in this context. Height to the bottom inside of the ring, from the top of the Weaver base? Search me. I know you can't put a huge scope too close to a barrel, but how I would relate that to a published ring height is beyond me.

Second, should I try to get as low as possible? It seems to me that I should, since the higher the scope is, the greater the error will be when I am surprised with close-up shots.

Go as low as possible that you can still get a good cheek rest. So if your rifle has a raised cheek piece, you might not want to go so low.

For me it's easiest picking rings for a previously iron sighted rifle, since then I know I want to be as low as absolutely possible (for me, maybe not for you).

And depending on how low you want it, you might need to take into account mounting position front to back vs receiver length and barrel taper. I actually drew out to scale how my scope of choice would fit a 10-22 with a tapered barrel and measured off the minimum ring height for the rifle in my avatar, and found a set of rings that matched that height. I'm not kidding when I say there's 1/16" between the objective and the barrel, and that was by design. If the rifle was a bull barrel, it wouldn't have fit.

The biggest thing is whoever you buy rings from, make sure they have a liberal return policy

 

[Swifty Morgan]

Thanks for all the information.

After I wrote my post, I found a set of rings I wasn't using, so I'm going to try them before ordering anything else.

The rifle I'm scoping is a Savage A22, which has a very odd buttstock. When you look at the rifle before you pick it up, it looks like it has no comb. Then when you use the sights, you find you have to mash your face down pretty hard on the buttstock in order to line everything up.

 

[Bwana John]

I have found that with many .22 rifles I have more bolt knob interference with low mounted scopes as problems from large objective lens.

Usually I try to use the lowest rings that will fit, and don't get in the way of working the action.

 

[RussellC]

@RussellC asked me basically this same question recently in another thread, so I’ll answer it here:

First, be sure you understand how your manufacturer measures their rings - do they measure from the weaver/picatinny rail to the saddle of the ring, or from the rail to the center of the tube? If they measure to the center, I like to subtract 1/2 of the tube diameter so I know the distance from the rail to the saddle. That’s my ring height.

When I pick rings, I subtract the tube diameter from the objective bell diameter (spec books available online or measured myself), then divide the number by 2. That’s how much the bell hangs below the bottom of the tube - call this M. For AR’s or other flat top rifles, the ring height needs to be M + 1/8”.

If I’m on a normal sporting rifle, such my rail stands above the receiver, and the barrel tapers away, then I lay a straight edge over my rail and measure down to the barrel approximately where the objective bell will land. Call that W. So then my ring height needs to be M + 1/8” - W.

I usually check this before ordering a $80-250 set of rings by stacking two sets of playing card slices on the rail to the target height - if it clears the barrel and the bolt handle, I order my gear.

Thanks, my question was specific to the Seekins rings, I cant find how they measure theirs on the Seekins site.

Russellc

 

[Varminterror]

Thanks, my question was specific to the Seekins rings, I cant find how they measure theirs on the Seekins site.

Russellc

Sorry - I missed that part.

The Seekins rings are measured from center of tube to top of base.

 

[RussellC]

Many thanks, I was surprised they didnt have that info on site ( or at least I couldnt find it) considering the number of different heights they make!

Thanks again,

Russellc

 

[redneck2]

When I needed rings I emailed the mfg giving them the model of rifle. They gave me the minimum suggested height of their rings.

Be aware that one mfgs low rings may be equivalent to another’s medium or high rings