Scope ring height

Daleo8803

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I'm going to be getting a howa 1500 heavy barrel in 308. It will have a 20 moa single peice base. I'm going to put my athlon argos 6x24x50 scope on it. I'm wanting some good rings, seekins maybe, are there others for about $100? Also what height should I get? Thanks
 
Stick with Seekins or the Vortex Precison made by Seekins. Unless your scope objective lens is greater than 50mm or you have neck issues I recommend sticking to "Low" or "Medium" height rings. Although I doubt you would notice much difference even with the "Medium-High" or "High" height. They range in height from 0.82", 0.87", 0.92", tp 0.97" from the top of the rail to the center of the scope. Price is $99-$130 dependent on vendor:

Low
Medium
Medium-High
High


One note with Seekin's rings is that the torque vale for the base screws is 55in-lbs NOT 65 in-lbs.

I may have cracked both of my rings using the incorrect torque setting recently. Thankfully, they were Vortex branded and they replaced them no questions asked. That is the only downside of buying the Seekin's branded version of the rings.
 
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Gotta think about how much height will your 20MOA base add. Do you no how much heightbyour base is going to add? You also have a heavy barreled rifle so you likely will need a little higher ring due to the thicker profile of the barrel. So when you start to calculate stuff your scope’s front objective has an OD of 2.2” (1.1” to center) and then factor in the base height + ring height to give proper clearance. Seekins offers 0.87” medium, 0.92” medium-high & .0.97” high ring sets (height is to center of rings) which means you should just need to subtract your base’s height from 1.1” and then select the ring that gives you enough clearance. Now most rifles even with heavy barrels will also have some additional height from the top of the barrel itself to top of the receiver even without a base so you get a little extra clearance there.
 
TPS rings have the most consistent finish and bore sizing out of all the rings I have tested... They consistently hold .0003" on the bore when torqued properly. They are also not that expensive relative to what you get for your money. Ring height is a function of your physical features as stated above. I'm near RH if you need some help.
 
Is there a advantage to a one piece or to using scope rings?

That Warne mount is an okay scope base for an AR platform, but not for a bolt gun. The rail to scope center distance on those is 1.435" which is WAY too high.

Personally I prefer separate ring set up on bolt guns, uni-mounts for AR's. With a 50mm obj, 20 MOA base, and heavy contour barrel 0.87" or 0.82" should easily clear. I run 0.82" on my Rem 700 with a heavy contour Criterion barrel and easily have 3/8" clearance with a 44mm scope.

Here is a great comparison photo between the ring centerline heights offered by Seekins (L to R is 1.40", 1.26", 0.97", 0.92", 0.87", 0.82") :

seekins_06.png

http://www.seekinsprecision.com/product/scope-rings/scope-rings-30mm-tube.html
 
I’ve installed dozens of rifle scopes, somewhere between 50 and 100 - I lost count. There are lots of potential issues, but ’ll be brief because you only asked about ring height.
If a 50 mm objective clears the barrel you may be ok, but don’t ignore the bolt clearance along the outside of the eyepiece. More than once I’ve had to switch to a higher ring because there wasn’t enough clearance there for the fingers to actuate the bolt handle. Each shooter operates the bolt differently. It’s distracting when you feel your fingers or fingernails drag across the eyepiece housing when operating the bolt.
The best way I’ve found to determine the optimum ring height is to use modeling clay to support the scope on the receiver or rail. Adjust the clay thickness until the clearance is acceptable at both ends of the scope. Then measure the ring height accurately.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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I use primarily Burris Signature Rings. They will allow for some adjustment with the bushings if needed and they do not scar your scope. They are reasonable cost effective compared to some others. As far as ring height goes it really depends on your stature. Way back when I first started shooting rifles, I was told to mount the scope as close as possible to the barrel. I did, but it was uncomfortable because it was too low for me so I raised the scope with higher rings and everything worked better, as well as my shooting improved.
 
As far as ring height goes it really depends on your stature. Way back when I first started shooting rifles, I was told to mount the scope as close as possible to the barrel. I did, but it was uncomfortable because it was too low for me so I raised the scope with higher rings and everything worked better, as well as my shooting improved.

+1

Yup, conventional wisdom it's best to keep scope as close to bore as possible.
On the same token, the shooter has to be Comfortable as well.
If higher rings are in order then so be it as the only other way to keep the scope close to bore is to modify the stock ~ comb, which can be done as well.
 
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