Standard scope rings vs. low profile...and the cheek weld.

[ArmyAviator]

Found a solid deal on a Ruger M77 MK II, standard Ruger rings holding a Nikon 4-14 x 50 Monarch. Shooting 3 & 4 position service rifle and plenty-o-clay birds, I naturally seek a solid cheek weld. This rifle just feels a little unnatural, holding my head up just a little higher to get in the glass. I'm thinking that I have three options: (1) train/shoot to get along with it; (2) put a pad on that synthetic stock for cheek weld; (3) walk away from the buy. I can't just get low-profile rings with that 50mm objective lense; scope won't mount any lower over the barrel. Recommendations, please?

 

[MErl]

option 4 is trade out the scope for a smaller objective & lower rings. That is generally a loss financially though.

 

[ArmyAviator]

Thanks, MErl; I did think of that; $$$ loss is generally inevitable. But it remains an option.

 

[jmr40]

Ruger uses different height rings front and rear. If you want to mount a scope lower, or higher, you only have to buy 1 ring from Ruger. Typically they come with a medium height ring on the front and a high ring on the rear. This works with 40-44 mm scopes.

To go lower, just buy a low ring. Put it on the front, and move the medium ring to the rear postition. To go higher you would need to buy an extra high ring and put it on the rear and put the high ring on the front. I'm betting someone has already done this since they have a 50mm scope on it.

If you buy a 40mm or smaller scope you should be able to use a low and medium ring to get a good fit. Bigger than 44mm and up to 50mm you need a medium and high. Some 50mm scopes will work with this, others not.

Bigger than 50mm and you really need an extra high and high ring.

I wouldn't touch a 50mm scope. They offer no useable advantages and are just not worth the trouble to get them mounted right. If the price is good enough to justify selling the scope on it and buying a better scope and lower ring then I might do it.

 

[back40]

i use a 50mm objective scope on a precision rig and use a stock pad to get proper cheek weld. proper cheek weld is very important to me and can be difficult to get with certain rifles/scopes.

depending on the use of the rifle, sometimes it's no big deal to just compromise the cheek weld. on most though, i will try and mount as low as possible and this may mean swapping out to a smaller objective scope for you. it also may mean using a pad. if this sounds like too much, pass, and move on to something else.

 

[BCRider]

Option 2a)- Get some Kydex plastic. cut out a suitable cheek pad riser and heat it up in the toaster oven until pliable then form it over the existing stock in the right position. Then cut adjustment slots along the lower side and spacer riser screw holes up top and adjust until you get your optimum and sweetly rigid cheek weld on your adjustable Kydex riser comb.

I like this idea over a pad because done neatly the adjustable riser comb will be rigid vs padded. So you get the same cheek mount every time. And for anyone that is at all handy it is not a hard project with only a minimum of fore planning.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

a Karsten adjustable cheek rest will work

 

[On An Island]

Timely thread. I took my new 700 VLS and Nightforce 5.5-22x56 out for the first time yesterday. I'm using NF 1.00" rings (medium height) on the setup. I was having some issues trying to get a good easily-repeatable cheek weld even with the Monte Carlo style stock. I'm planning on taking it back out today to see if I was just having a bad hair day, so we'll see....

 

[4v50 Gary]

Stock pad. It's the most cost-effective way to adapt yourself to that set up.

 

[Caliper_Mi]

Pipe insulation and vet wrap works quite well as an expedient solution!

If you preferr something more finished looking, check out an accu-riser: http://www.accu-riser.com/products/Accu%2dRiser-Ambidextrious-Comb-Raiser-Black-Finish.html

 

[HexHead]

Tell him you want it without the scope and rings, and let him sell them seperately. Otherwise, find a rifle that fits you. No deal is good enough to have to alter your shooting style to fit it. Unless it's free.

 

[Abel]

This is a no brainer. If you like the rifle, buy it. Dump the scope and put what you want on it.

 

[Haxby]

I put one of those neoprene stock sleeve/ammo carriers on a rifle. It was thick enough to make me want to go from low to medium rings.

 

[ArmyAviator]

Thank you all for the substantial replies; helpful all.