How close is too close for a scope to a barrel.

[Smith357]

I just mounted a vintage scope to an early commercial FN Mauser. The bell of the scope is very close to the rear sight mount on the barrel, I mean very close there is just enough room to slide a business card in the gap. Once the rifle is sighted in it will most likely never see daylight again as it's going to a collector. I have had them this close on 22 target rifle but this is an aught-six with a sporter barrel.

So the question is how close is too close.

 

[jpwilly]

IMO that's got the potential to kiss the rear sight base under recoil.

 

[medicdave]

I like em close, but thats pretty darn close. You could get the burris rings with the shims and shim both rings up to gain a little more clearence and still keep it tight.

 

[R.W.Dale]

In my opinion it will be fine IF the tight clearance is oriented in such a way to not contact the scope if it shifts forward under recoil

 

[Jackal]

If its not touching, its fine.

 

[Runningman]

A good rule to go by is you should have a minimum of .030 clearance. Scope tubes and barrels do vibrate and have movement during firing.

 

[USSR]

If its not touching, its fine.

+1.

Don

 

[Uncle Mike]

The closer the centerline of the scope is to the centerline of the bore...the better!

Looks good to me, as long as the scope isn't touching any part of the rifle, static or during recoil or temperature changes then all should be fine.

+1 Runningman's advice...we like to leave .140" unless the customer requests we mount to the minimum to facilitate the use of scope covers and the such.

 

[jerkface11]

As long as it doesn't touch it should be fine. I really like that rifle too.

 

[Horsemany]

Looks fine. I don't think it would ever touch under recoil.

 

[Beelzy]

Good to go....just double check the mounting screws to make sure their tight.

 

[Sir Aardvark]

As added insurance against scope movement I like to scuff up the inside of the rings with fine sandpaper and add a tiny drop of clear silicon adhesive to the inside of the rings before I crank everything down - every little bit helps.

 

[Smith357]

I just got back from sight in, all seemed to be working just fine. I put a thin piece of rice paper in the gap while firing and saw no signs of impact.

Oh by the way the rifle has the sweetest two stage Mauser trigger it has ever been my pleaser to use.

 

[Art Eatman]

I've had a few scopes which mounted with that sort of close fit. Never caused any problem...

 

[chevyforlife21]

as long as its not touching its fine. i like to say an index card thickness is minimum.