Newbie scope mounting question?

[bos19]

I have a Ruger 10/22 and was looking to mount a BSA 3-9x40mm hunting scope on it. I bought 1 inch UTG high profile scope rings that are very highly rated on Amazon and should fit, but I noticed there is a gap on one side on each ring when I try fastening the screws on each ring and can’t get either ring to close completely, even though the scope itself is secured. Is this normal or are the rings too small?

 

[troy fairweather]

you want that gap

 

[bos19]

Is the gap in the opening of the rings? That is to say, with scope sat in the rings, when you tighten (using a symmetrical pattern - think mounting a wheel on a car), the rings don't completely tighten down to touch? If so, that is correct, provided it is not excessive. If the gap you refer to is between ring and scope (ie a crescent of daylight) after you tighten the rings, then that would suggest a faulty ring.

A pic of the "gap" to which you refer would be worth a thousand words and rapidly speed diagnostics.

So basically what happens is there is a gap on one side of each ring and it is about the same size on each ring. It is impossible to close the gap because the screws can’t be fastened any further.

 

[badkarmamib]

Correct. Try to get the gap as even as possible on both sides.

 

[bos19]

Correct. Try to get the gap as even as possible on both sides.

Is there a best practice to make that happen? People seem to suggest fastening the screws in a criss pattern, but that didn’t seem to work

 

[troy fairweather]

Is there a best practice to make that happen? People seem to suggest fastening the screws in a criss pattern, but that didn’t seem to work

 

[wesmonster]

Don't know if it's 'best', but I just run all the screws in til you just start to feel some resistance, then just eyeball it and tighten down the side with the biggest gap til both sides are even, then using a crisscross pattern slowly tighten each screw, I try not to do over a quarter turn each time. That should keep the gaps fairly even, although they don't have to be exact. But I believe you do want to keep just a bit of gap on both sides to keep pressure on the tube even.

If the rings didn't come with any anti-rotation pads/tape I've used a bit of electrical tape stuck to the inside of the rings.

 

[Chuck R.]

As the others said, the gap between the ring halves is supposed to be there.

I tighten by hand alternating screws and getting an equal gap to both sides. While I'm doing this I've leveled the gun and keeping an eye on the reticle to ensure it's kept level in conjunction with the rifle. Sometimes while tightening the mount will 'pull" the reticle out of level. I use a couple bubble levels to do this (same setup as the video above), and a plumb bob line to ensure it's 100% level/straight as sometimes the bubble on the turret isn't perfect.

Once I'm hand tight and leveled, I torque them to the manufacturers specs.

 

[cdb1]

The gap is supposed to be there as has been stated.

On another note I don’t believe in even reading, much less putting any weight towards Amazon reviews.

 

[Walkalong]

much less putting any weight towards Amazon reviews.

Gotta take them with a grain of salt for sure.

 

[Walkalong]

Yes, some gap is normal on 99% of rings. You don't need to crank them down, it's a .22. Just be patient when tightening them down with a ciss cross pattern and you'll get them as close to even as you need to. It doesn't have to be perfect. It is very easy to over tighten screws on ring caps.

 

[Varminterror]

“UTG rings are highly rated on Amazon”... that tells you everything you ever need to know about the quality and integrity of Amazon reviews.

 

[bos19]

“UTG rings are highly rated on Amazon”... that tells you everything you ever need to know about the quality and integrity of Amazon reviews.

What’s a better option then?

 

[Varminterror]

What’s a better option then?

Almost anything, but the UTG rings don’t set the bar particularly high.

For my money, when I buy rings, I buy Warne, Talley, Vortex/Seekins, Burris Signature Zee, Nightforce.

 

[badkarmamib]

For just mounting a scope on a stock 10/22, for casual plinking or small-game hunting, the UTG will probably be okay. For higher-recoil, competition, or once-in-a-lifetime-hunt rifles, I would definitely look at higher-quality rings like the ones @Varminterror listed.

 

[Varminterror]

The UTG rings are $20. Burris Signature Zee’s are $35. Very affordable, and very much a better product. No excuse to use junk.

Damaging a scope with misaligned or asymmetrical rings doesn’t save you any money, certainly not worth saving $15 in my world.

 

[bos19]

The UTG rings are $20. Burris Signature Zee’s are $35. Very affordable, and very much a better product. No excuse to use junk.

Damaging a scope with misaligned or asymmetrical rings doesn’t save you any money, certainly not worth saving $15 in my world.

Just to clarify, I should be using 1 inch rings, right? I just want to make sure I’m using the correct size.

 

[badkarmamib]

Just to clarify, I should be using 1 inch rings, right? I just want to make sure I’m using the correct size.

If your scope has a 1" tube, then yes. 30mm is another popular one. If your scope set down in the 1" rings, and you could start the screws at all, you have a 1" tube scope.

 

[Varminterror]

Just to clarify, I should be using 1 inch rings, right? I just want to make sure I’m using the correct size.

What scope are you using? If your scope has a 1” tube, then 1” rings. If it has 35mm tube, then 35, if it’s a 30, then 30, if 34, then 34... then you need to know the correct ring height, again, based on your scope. If you have a 40mm objective vs. a 56mm objective, the height requirement can vary.

 

[cdb1]

I use Warne most of the time.

 

[Walkalong]

The UTG rings are $20. Burris Signature Zee’s are $35. Very affordable, and very much a better product. No excuse to use junk.

Agreed, so much better product for not much money.