Do you always lap your scope rings?

Using 1 piece mount ring systems like Talley and DNZ are machines to very tight tolerance so I never lap. I move scopes around and take them off to clean them and they go right back to place without changing poi. I've never seen a wear mark on my scopes so I feel safe in my method. Torque your screws to spec with scope torque wrench I used the wheeler FAT wrench. They do sell a complete kit with wrench and lapping bars if you go that direction
 
A simple question deserves a simple response ...

Do you always lap your scope rings? No
How about on shorter range only setups (under 300 yards)? No
What lapping tools do you use? N/A

deer-eats-popcorn_64.gif


... maybe this will help make it to a 20-pager thread. Cheers! :cool:;):D:rolleyes:
 
I have read every post in this thread. And...with respect to all- there is clearly either a mis-understanding of the issues that cause a need for lapping vs those that believe that you should just buy better quality rings.

I am seldom an "absolutist". I find that I learn more with an open mind than I can by being convinced that I know the ONLY way - for anything.

But I would ask you all to consider this analytical process that I personally use when problem solving, as appropriate here:

1. Define the problem: scope not centered with bore of rifle

2. List ALL causes or contributing factors:
A. lack of concentricity of scope rings
B. screw holes on receiver out of square with receiver or barrel
C. receiver face not square to barrel

Now - we must select a course of action to determine WHICH of A,B, or C - or maybe all 3.....are the problem - *IF* you want true alignment of scope to receiver and/or barrel...

A. - you could lap the rings, and call it ..."good" - if you really believe that to be the
ONLY problem.
B. and....bed the ring base for cant ...maybe a little in longitudinal correction.
C. square the face of the receiver to the barrel.

So - it is NOT as simple as ..."buy better rings". The rings may or may not be the problem - there are other variables that no matter whether you lap or do not lap - will not be addressed.

If you have a true intent for accuracy - now you need to consider some real gunsmithing.

OR.....you can use rings that allow you to accommodate ALL 3 contributors to what we used to only blame the rings for: Burris Signature Zee. They take a little reading and experimenting for some to get comfortable with, because it IS hard to believe that it took some one so long to come up with a simple, elegant solution:D....

I have mounted scopes on dozens of rifles using these including the magnums. I currently have 3 - .300 WM of my own wearing them with hundreds of rounds thru each barrel...NO slippages....NO marring the finish on the scopes. And completely "orbital" adjustment - not just -40 MOA to +40 MOA in the vertical plane....but lateral and diagonal adjustment too. As well - they are much lighter than some of the current "tactica-cool" rings that can add some real weight to your rig.

The bull's eye is in the middle! Shoot straight!:cool:
T
 
I follow manufacturers recommendations with premium rings and have not been disappointed. I recently upgraded my 1970 Ruger 77V .243 to a 30mm tube scope. I like the Ruger built in base and rings used on the old tang safety guns and thankfully Ruger still makes them. I had trouble lining them up both on the L/R and U/D bore axis. I decided to lock them down and use compound to straighten them out. With the wheeler kit and drill. After running for 10 minutes I still only had 20% contact. 30 minutes later I got it up to 70% and quit. I was afraid I'd lose clamping Force if I kept on grinding. It was messy and a PITA clean up,but glad I did it.
 
In the case of Z rings being used with a separate base or bases (do they even come one piece?) I would still check base alignment with non Z, known to be good, rings. Would really be a bummer to find that you use up 1/4 your scope's windage adjustment because the bases are off even if the rings used don't mar the scope.
 
Last edited:
ntsqd said:
In the case of Z rings being used with a separate base or bases (do they even come one piece?) I would still check base alignment with non Z, known to be good, rings. Would really be a bummer to find that you use up 1/4 your scope's windage adjustment because the bases are off even if the rings used don't mar the scope.
Click to expand...

Not the Z rings..."Signature Zee". may be different from what you are referencing. If you go to the Burris site,( or really read my previous post...) and read the downloadable information, you can see that it honestly dos not matter if your base/pic rail is not aligned in true fashion. The inserts can be rotated to off set lateral misalignment as well as elevation....and even diagonal. Theses rings are NOT just to prevent marring the scope finish, as I said in my previous post. They are to compensate for and correct the 3 reasons that scopes and barrels do not "co-witness" if you are critical in checking.
 
teesquare said:
Not the Z rings..."Signature Zee". may be different from what you are referencing. If you go to the Burris site,( or really read my previous post...) and read the downloadable information, you can see that it honestly dos not matter if your base/pic rail is not aligned in true fashion. The inserts can be rotated to off set lateral misalignment as well as elevation....and even diagonal. Theses rings are NOT just to prevent marring the scope finish, as I said in my previous post. They are to compensate for and correct the 3 reasons that scopes and barrels do not "co-witness" if you are critical in checking.
Click to expand...
Name correction noted.
Having worked with a system similar in concept (but not execution or application) it works and is easier to adjust better if the bases are where they should be. I like their concept, I'm just unwilling to allow them to excuse sloppy work.
 
ntsqd said:
Name correction noted.
Having worked with a system similar in concept (but not execution or application) it works and is easier to adjust better if the bases are where they should be. I like their concept, I'm just unwilling to allow them to excuse sloppy work.
Click to expand...

No argument from me on that. But I try to be realistic in my expectations concerning the current state of quality of "factory firearms". So- that is why I find the Signature Zee rings of such value. They help me insure that I will not have to deal with correcting the factory's lack of QC on rifles that most folks can afford. I love my custom builds - but....these rings have just made life easier. The last .300 WM I fit these on took 1 click up, and 2 click right to zero @ 200. Made it easy and fast. I could have spent a few more minutes, turned the rings a bit and probably not had to do any adjustment. But, time is always an issue too.
 
I continue to be amazed at how many people post without having read any of the thread and/or having missed the point.
 
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