Scope too high on my new Rem 700?

[SFTitan]

Guys, can I get some opinions? I was told by a very reputable source to buy Burris Tactical Xtreme HIGH rings for my Rem 700 with a 50mm scope. I just got my new Vortex Viper 6.5-20 50mm scope with those rings and after installing them I think the scope is too high. What you guys think? There looks to be almost an inch between the tip of the scope and the barrel.

I appreciate the help.

 

[taliv]

close your eyes.

put your cheek on the stock in the position you want (prone, standing, whatever).

open your eyes.



it's nice if the objective bell is very close to the barrel because that means your line of sight is closer so there's less correction to make at closer ranges (<30 yrds) but your head position is what really determines how high your scope should be.

that said, unless you're built like rosie odonnell, i'm guessing it's too high.

 

[Uncle Mike]

YES...yes it is! WAY too high!

 

[SFTitan]

Taliv... thanks for the quick response. I tried what you suggested and I actually opened up my eye with the scope in just about the right spot. I am 6'6" and probably a head to match. I thought it looked a little hookey up so high, but now with it on the bipod it doesn't look too bad. I guess I'll have to give it a try tomorrow at the range. It'll be my first outing with it. Really looking forward to it.

 

[taliv]

actually, i think i see the problem... grab a ruler and verify if that is 50mm objective. i've been wrong before, but it looks more like a 40 to me.

 

[SFTitan]

It says right on the scope 50mm. I bought the 44mm version and returned it to get the 50. This definitely is the 50. The more I think about it and shoulder it, lay prone... whatever I can do at home without actually shooting it, I think it may be too high.

 

[JDGray]

30mm tubes, makes the obj look small

Usually with a 1 piece rail, you can get away with low rings(.250)

 

[Horsemany]

A good way to check is to mount the rings without the scope. Then shoulder the rifle with your eyes closed. The two rings essentially create a peep sight and you can tell right away if you're eye isn't centered on the rings. Usually if I have a problem it's too high. I haven't had any that were too low yet.

Your set up looks high to me but if you've got a big melon it may be just right for you. As long as you've shouldered it with your eyes closed and you don't have to adjust your head when you open your eyes.........you're good to go.

 

[hometheaterman]

Yep, it would be too high for me too. However, I have used some mounted that high. I'm personally a big fan of medium rings if they will fit with your scope setup, which it looks like it will, however, I can't promise that as for a 50mm objective you do often have to have high rings.

Some guys like low rings, or super low, but to me those get the scope too low most of the time. There are a few cases where I think low rings work well, but most they are too low to me. It's all a personal preference.

 

[SFTitan]

Yea, I definitely think that mediums would have more than enough clearance. I do have a big melon (lol), but we'll see tomorrow if in fact the scope is too high. My gut says go with the mediums.

 

[ms6852]

It seems that you have a 20 MOA base. The burris xtr low rings will accommodate the scope, unless your outside objective diameter is very thick.

 

[unwise11]

too high. either you use high rings and no 1 piece, or you use a 1 piece and low mounts.

 

[CraigC]

Few people have a bigger head than mine and that would be waaaaay too high for me. Nothing can screw up your shooting like a scope that is too high or a comb that's too low.

Doesn't look like a 50mm to me either.

It seems that you have a 20 MOA base.

How can you tell that by looking at it???

 

[LoonWulf]

Id try Med rings or lows with that big base. Im running a 6.5-20x50 simmons on my new 700sps in high weavers on 2 piece rifleman bases, its about right but id like to bring it down another 1/2" or so....not that i can with that huge front bell LOL.

 

[taliv]

i was joking about the big head, though i guess it's possible some heads are that much bigger than others. i think it is more likely to do with differences in cheek weld. i smoosh my high cheek hard down into the stock so i look like a chipmunk or something. if you just rest the side of your chin bone against the stock, your face will be much higher

 

[USSR]

My Gawd, you'll get a nose bleed getting your head up high enough to see thru that scope.

Don

 

[Sunray]

Those rings are way too high. You can change 'em or put on and adjustable cheek rest. I'd change 'em though. I'd change the mount too, but that's just me.

 

[WNTFW]

That would be way too high for me.

I had too high of a set of rings and a tall bipod on a 700 SPS varmint. Even with rings as low as I could go I had to add height to my cheekpiece. I tend to need to raise cheek pieces and most anything with a scope. On the plus side my high cheek might be why "Chicks Dig Me" (Actually I am at the age where any female acting attracted to me should not be trusted! She would trying to scam me.) Any way back to you.

I have had guys at guns counters tell me a 50mm wont fit with those rings. They don't know what scope and main tube dia or base, so they can't know. Guess who didn't argue and bought rings elsewhere. I mocked up the height before buying new rings. You can use modelling clay to set a scope on the rifle at the correct height and then measure. Be aware model clay can be a mess to clean up. I used some dense double sided tape I had. Also different mfgrs measure rings differently.

You might get away with your setup if it is not right. When being on the gun for an extended time it will tell. Looking at the exit pupil might help you spot any problem.

 

[Sethsquatch]

Bolt throw?

I just bought an M700 myself and put standard Leupold rings on it. I believe the height is correct eye-wise, but the bolt handle knob almost touches the scope at its hightest point. Makes operating the bolt a little clumsy. I was planning on getting higher rings to solve the problem. Any advice is welcome.

 

[AKElroy]

I like mine a little lower. Your mounts should have a mounting matrix that shows the largest objective for the low, med & high rings. 40 was the max for the DNZ low mounts on one of my rigs, and my VXIII AO 40 fits fine, even though with the AO it is actually closer to 42mm. Of course, I would be hard pressed to get a credit card under it. my point is I think those tables leave a little room for error. I have a difficult time sighting rifles with too high cheek weld.

 

[LoonWulf]

sethsquatch, if it dosnt hit the occular or power ring id leave it alone....how do you manipulate the bolt?

SFtitan, i just realized that you may have gotten the suggestion to get high rings because the person you talked to expected your scope to have an adjustable objective, which would add quite a bit to the front bell.

 

[WNTFW]

Quote:
It seems that you have a 20 MOA base.

How can you tell that by looking at it???

Craig C.
It looks a little higher in the back.

Plus in my case I have that exact same mount. It is only 1/3 of a degree but you can see it. It might be about .030 higher or less in the back over the front at the length it is.

 

[Sunray]

"...almost touches..." That'll do. How you operate the bolt might be the issue. Try using an open hand to operate it. Flat hand up to open, back with your hand open, pivot on your palm and push to close. Easier to do than describe. Takes a bit of practice. PDQ as well.

 

[natman]

The scope is way too high. Whoever recommended high rings was thinking about the 50mm objective, but didn't allow for the very high base.

With that base you could use medium rings, maybe even lows. Make sure you have enough room for the bolt handle to clear.

 

[JDGray]

I would remove the rings, lay the scope on the base, and see if you can look through it prone. You could mock it up with quarters untill its a comfortable height, and simply measure the stack for the ring height. Midway list the heights of the rings they sell, to give you a reference. I'm sticking with the lows(.250") I really like the 1 piece rails, but they are usually higher than 2 piece set ups, but 1 piece mounts can be bedded for stress free scope mounting