How low is too low?

[shaneroyce]

I just mounted a Zeiss V4 6-24X50 on a CA Ridgeline in 6.5 Creedmoor. I used low Talley rings. The objective bell of the scope, at its closest point to the barrel, is about 2 pieces of paper clearance above the barrel. The Zeiss lens covers that came with the scope clear just barely at the objective end. They will work fine with lows, but if I wanted to put a neoprene cover on the scope, or a flip up cap, I think I'd be out of luck. I don't foresee wanting to put flip ups, but who knows. They would possibly work but the neoprene cover wouldn't without some modification. The bolt clears the eyepiece fine, but does contact the focus rings ever so slightly if I raise it to it's highest point. I can raise the bolt to it's highest point and move it back and forth freely on the focus ring with no scuffing and no real "friction" being felt, but it's definitely touching it. Again...the rest of the eyepiece clears fine. I like the cheek weld I get at this scope height and don't want to add anything to the stock for a higher cheek weld. I don't think I'd have to if I went to mediums, but it would be slightly higher, obviously. What are your thoughts...stick with the lows or bump up to mediums? These are the rings I want to use on this rifle, so please make responses knowing I'm going to use lows or mediums in this ring. Also...any chance that barrel vibration on the shot would cause the scope and barrel to contact each other with that little amount of clearance at the objective? Thanks in advance!!!

 

[MudRunner2005]

How low is too low? When you cannot slip a 3x5 index card (5 Mils = 0.005") between the barrel and the objective bell...That's too low. If you've got more clearance than that, then you're good to go.

I use 30mm Seekins Precision low rings (0.82" height) almost exclusively on my rifles, along with EGW HD 20MOA bases. I know I can clear up to a 56mm scope with this setup on a Rem 700 Sendero. It's all a matter of learning your setup and knowing what fits and what doesn't. This is why I like use homogenous setups on all my rifles...Not only is it the same scope I'm looking through and dialing, but I know it's going to fit on there the same, and have the same cheek-weld, too.

Those new Zeiss V4 6-24x50 scopes with the #91 reticle are awesome...I'd love to get my hands on one. Been a Zeiss fan for as long as I can remember, and bought my first Zeiss about 11 years ago. And own several now. For the money, they're hard to beat.

 

[FURMAN]

Just going off your description I personally would bump up to mediums. I can not verify for 100% certainty it matters but it would make me feel better. I have seen slow motion videos of how violently scopes move under recoil. Obviously that will be far less with a Creedmoor.

 

[Barrelnut]

Just 2 sheets of paper is pretty close and even on a Creedmoor, I suspect the scope and barrel will touch under recoil. Not sure if it will be enough to affect things though. Add that to the bolt ever so slightly touching the focus ring though and things start to not look optimal on a hunting rifle.
You want things to be easy to work with - like easily being able to use whatever scope cover you decide on based on the weather. ( I like Bikini scope covers because they seal out moisture and fine dust.) You also want the bolt to work well in excited situations with cold hands, cloves, etc.
Maybe going to a x44 bell would help. I would probably try shimming and bedding the rings to get a custom height or grinding mediums down just a bit if too high.

 

[shaneroyce]

I hadn't even thought of the index card for measurement. I just checked it. I can fit 2 of the 3x5 index cards and still have the slightest bit of light showing between the scope and barrel. A 3rd index card will slide though but it's tight and touching. As far as the bolt touching the focus ring...it is extremely slight but does touch if raised up all the way. Further thoughts with this additional info?

 

[Hatrick]

If the bell is that far off, you might be able to have the bolt bent to miss your scope.

 

[shaneroyce]

I just double checked and was wrong on the bolt touching. I can't put a piece of paper in there and have it move freely, but I can see daylight between the bolt and focus ring. It's not touching...but it's close.

 

[WildRose]

I just mounted a Zeiss V4 6-24X50 on a CA Ridgeline in 6.5 Creedmoor. I used low Talley rings. The objective bell of the scope, at its closest point to the barrel, is about 2 pieces of paper clearance above the barrel. The Zeiss lens covers that came with the scope clear just barely at the objective end. They will work fine with lows, but if I wanted to put a neoprene cover on the scope, or a flip up cap, I think I'd be out of luck. I don't foresee wanting to put flip ups, but who knows. They would possibly work but the neoprene cover wouldn't without some modification. The bolt clears the eyepiece fine, but does contact the focus rings ever so slightly if I raise it to it's highest point. I can raise the bolt to it's highest point and move it back and forth freely on the focus ring with no scuffing and no real "friction" being felt, but it's definitely touching it. Again...the rest of the eyepiece clears fine. I like the cheek weld I get at this scope height and don't want to add anything to the stock for a higher cheek weld. I don't think I'd have to if I went to mediums, but it would be slightly higher, obviously. What are your thoughts...stick with the lows or bump up to mediums? These are the rings I want to use on this rifle, so please make responses knowing I'm going to use lows or mediums in this ring. Also...any chance that barrel vibration on the shot would cause the scope and barrel to contact each other with that little amount of clearance at the objective? Thanks in advance!!!

"Too Low" would be too low for you to get a good, comfortable, consistent mount and sight picture or when there is any contact between the scope and barrel including from the covers.

I've had some that rode low enough I had to cut out a bit of the objective cover to keep it from making contact.

Without seeing you mount the rifle I'd guess you'd be better off gong with the next size taller rings otherwise it's probably going to be less than ideal for you from both standpoints.