Scope ring height?

[coyotesniper]

I recently ordered a Tikka T3 Lite in .243 for hunting. I am putting a Nikon Buckmasters 4-12X50mm scope with Leuopld STD base and rings but have no idea what ring height to get. Any ideas?

 

[45crittergitter]

For 50mm, I'd start with high rings. Just an educated guess. FWIW, the factory Tikka rings do work with a Bushnell Elite 4200 4-16x40. 50 is doubtful.

 

[kestak]

Greetings,

Medium rings should be the closer to the barrel.
Do like me: buy a set of low, medium and high. The Leapers space age are about 8$ each set. That way, you'll be able to mount the scope to the closest.

I just mounted a Buckmaster 3x9x40 with low rings and I still have plenty of clearance. It is why I think medium would probably fit.

Thank you

 

[Bill_Rights]

Theoretically, you want rings that put the centerline of the scope as close as possible to the centerline of the bore of the barrel. That way, you get less bullet trajectory "climb" before the inevitable bullet trajectory drop at longer ranges. Estimating "hold over" (the amount you put the cross-hairs over the target) would be simpler if you only had bullet drop to compensate for.

As an extreme example (which could easily happen with a .243, a light, high-velocity round), suppose you had very high rings and you sighted in your scope at 25 yards. Then at 50, 100 and maybe even 200 yards (for the .243) the bullet would still be climbing relative to where your scope cross-hairs pointed. For these middle ranges, you'd actually have to estimate "hold under", that is, aim underneath where you want the bullet to hit.

The closer you mount the scope to the bore, the more all this error and estimating "collapses" into, hopefully, deviations that don't even matter (except at very long ranges). Do you care whether you hit your coyote 2" higher or 2" lower than where you put the cross-hairs?

 

[Bailey Boat]

Look at the "specifications" for the rings and it should give you the height. It will be measured from the bottom of the "saddle" to the bottom of the ring. Use that measurement PLUS the thickness of the base and that will tell you how much clearance there will be. Remember that most scopes are measured INSIDE the objective, not outside. So your "50" could actually be 52 or 54mm OUTSIDE. Bear that in mind when doing the calculations........

 

[teetertotter]

I have one inch rings as when I raise and position the rifle into my shoulder, my head and eye are at natural level for immediate viewing through the scope w/o having further adjustment of neck, head, eye.

IMO, I'd zero the scope at 40-50 yds for std application/hunting. I would also want to know the setting for 100 yds and write down. Squirrels will be small at 100 yds with rimfire.

 

[madd0c]

I have a Tikka T3 Tactical 308 with a nightforce NSX 3.5-15x50mm on it. I called the guys at Larue, and they sold me a set of what is now their Ultra-Low Mount Rings QD LT719. They had just made them and they were not on their website yet. They are now.

They are a quick detach set at 0.875" from rail to optic center. They are GREAT rings after I found out I had to tighten to 35 inch pounds of torque per their recommendations instead of my usual 25 inch pounds for my other rings.

The rings are so low that I had to trim the rubber lip off my scope cover to get it on with the scope mounted. There is about 1/8" from scope bell (50mm) to barrel. Don't know about other scopes, but the Nightforce is great at this height with the cheek piece set to the lowest position.

Hope this helps,
madd0c

 

[coyotesniper]

I went ahead and bought the high rings. If it looks as if there is plenty of clearance from the barrel then I can always return them and get the mediums. Thanks for the advice.