Scope mounting questions

[DAP90]

I have three scopes to mount. Previously, I’ve had gunsmiths do it for me but I’d like to do it myself this time. I have a vise and bore sight kit and a few questions.

I have the following rings and bases but would get different versions if necessary:

1. Weaver style base and rings for a red dot
2. Millet Tip-Off rings for a CZ 452 – I have this exact set on another 452 and they’ve worked fine but CZ does offer a Weaver style base that attaches to the tip-off grooves. I only mention it because I’ve read that the Weaver style is better.
3. Browning one piece scope mounting system – which is essentially two separate one piece ring/base combos.

So, first question, do I need scope alignment rods?

It seems like with Weaver, Tip-Off and Browning one piece rings and bases they’re somewhat self-aligning due to the way they grip the bases and there’s no way to adjust the alignment anyway. I can see how alignment rods would be useful for turn-in style rings but not for the other styles.

Do I need the lapping tool? I get the rings may not be perfectly round but to me it seems that the rings are only half the equation. If the scope isn’t perfectly round it doesn’t matter if the rings are.

Anyway, there are kits that contain all this stuff. I’ll get them if they’re necessary but I don’t want to waste $50+ on something I don’t need.

I’m also open to any other advice you might have.

 

[BADUNAME37]

It is my opinion, if you get really good quality rings and bases, you should not need a rod or lapping kit. I have installed many expensive scope, ring, base combinations and never had a lapping kit and the guns all shot extremely well from the beginning! I believe a quality scope (I use Leupold Vari-X-III with Leupold base and rings) and you tighten all down extremely well without stripping screws or slipping with a screwdriver or torx (what they use today), you should be fine.

The main thing to keep checking is the eye relief (distance from eye to scope to see everything clearly and not have the scope so close that it may kiss your forehead) and be sure the crosshairs are exactly vertical and horizontal with respect to a straight rifle. You would not believe how many people install their scopes crooked, you look through it and either the scope is perfect and the rifle is cocked or vice-versa!

Leupold used to tell you to use a 1" straight dowel to make sure the rings are lined up for their rear ring that twisted into position.

 

[DAP90]

It is my opinion, if you get really good quality rings and bases, you should not need a rod or lapping kit.

Thanks. I have what I think is pretty good mounting hardware.

I mounted the red dot yesterday and everything seemed to go ok. I had a little trouble determining if the sight was vertically aligned because as a red dot, it didn’t have any crosshairs to use to determine that and I couldn’t tell if the windage knob was perfectly level on top of the scope.

I’ll probably try to mount the remaining scopes without the alignment bars and see how it goes.

 

[Jim K]

A lapping tool will ensure that the rings are really round so they grip will all around (yes, some are not really round) and also that there are no burrs or sharp edges in the rings that can mar the scope.

Jim

 

[Chuck Dye]

Check out the American Rifleman December 2008 issue for John Barsness's article "Advanced Scope Mounting."