Scope gap with barrel

[meatyrem]

I mounted a vortex viper 6-20X50 on my sendero. My question is. How much gap between scope and barrel is too little? Scope is not touching but there is very little air between them.

 

[Wedgy]

Can you get a cover on the scope ?
I like to have a least 1/8" space. I have ground down the flip up cover to fit but that was on a small caliber rifle, on something with significant recoil I might want a little more space.

 

[meatyrem]

I may have half that. More like 1/16 gap. I was thinking I may need to use high rings.

 

[meatyrem]

I may have half that. More like 1/16 gap. I was thinking I may need to use high rings.

 

[meatyrem]

Just ordered the high rings to be done and over it and I can use these med rings on another rifle for an excuse for a new scope.