shimming scope rings

[shoots45s]

I have a Savage Axis in 308 and am mounting a Nikon 4.5-14x40 scope on it. I have 2 piece Leupold mounts and rings from a previous Leupold scope

I recall that previous scope that had trouble zeroing the scope and it was because Bass Pro mounted the two part base backwards. I ran out of elevation even at 100 yds to get it zeroed.

With the new scope and the mounts in the correct position, the scope is way too far forward in the rings - almost 1/2 the scope is in front of the front ring.

If I reverse the mount bases the scope looks right but I'll likely get the elevation error again.

Some suggested using a shim of aluminum foil or part of soda can. But other have said that shimming a two piece base make the rings not aligned and can bend the scope tube. Not sure if I should shim the base or get a one piece base or what.

Open to suggestions. Thanks

 

[rcmodel]

I'm having a hard time envisioning the problem.

Do you have the scope turret mounted between the two scope rings as you should??

Seems like there would be plenty of room to slide it back & forth where it needs to be.

Unless your old rings are extended rings?

Can you post a photo of the way it is mounted now??

rc

 

[wally]

Proper eye relief is what matters, not how much of the scope is in front of the ring. Nikon scopes tend to be "long" and thus stick far forward when the eye relief is acceptable.

I wouldn't shim a scope on anything with more recoil than a .223, as once you do the ring bottoms are no longer parallel which will stress the tube when you tighten it.

 

[shoots45s]

Wally is correct - to get proper eye relief I need to push the scope way forward and nearly 1/2 the scope is in front of the front ring. Seems unstable.

I've attached a photo with it mounted with the rings reversed.

If I swap the rings to the 'correct position', the ring in front will be just in front of the magnification dial. The other ring is turned around and would wind up just in front of the turret. Or should I just move the one in the rear with turning it around?

What is the correct placement of the mounts. Leupold is way short of info. Thanks

 

[rcmodel]

If you can see through it??

Looks perfect to me.

You put a huge scope on a short action rifle?

That's the way the cookie crumbles.

rc

 

[ironworkerwill]

You can put a one piece weaver style rail on it and move the rings around how ever you wish.

 

[243winxb]

Use a shim of aluminum foil or part of soda can.

 

[matrem]

Mountain Dew cans dew work well as shims, but if you can see well through that set-up in your picture, don't shim it. I'm not seeing anything unstable.

 

[BluegrassDan]

Would never shim a modern rifle and scope. Always best to match up rings and mounts to the rifle and scope. Sometimes it takes a few tries.

it is preferable to test fit a few different scopes and mounts in your local gun store to see what fits best.

 

[JDGray]

Your mounts look right to me....

 

[Dentite]

I would avoid shimming. Mount it for proper eye relief and go zero it and see where you are.

 

[redneck2]

Shimming a scope is about the same as Homer Simpson shutting off the alarm siren with a hammer. You will very likely bend the tube and perhaps damage the internal adjustment mechanism.

Instead of jerking around with a nice rifle and nice scope until you break something, take it to a reputable shop (typically NOT Bass Pro) and get the correct rings. I suspect you've got the wrong bases so the heights are incorrect.

If you know what brand the rings/bases are, contact the manufacturer. They probably have a number stamped on them that will correspond to the application they are intended for.

 

[243winxb]

Shimming a Scope a few thousands

A soda can is about .004" thick. Makes a good shim. Or as much aluminum foil as needed, with in reason. It can go inside the rings or under the base mounts. Scope tubes flex. Infact, if you rest your hand on the front aperture, its possible to change the impack of the bullet. Plus some people have put lens see thru caps on the front of the scope, with the cap contacting the barrel. Then the wonder why it dont shoot. Or just keep buying mounts till you get lucky or take it to a gun smith that will "shim" it. http://www.twincityrodandgun.com/Scope%20Mounting%20Tilt%20Calculator/Scope%20Mounting%20Tilt%20Calculator.htm another http://www.twincityrodandgun.com/Sight%20Calc/SightCorrectionCalc.htm Edit/add- Best not to put to much shim in the rings, this may damage the scope tube if not done correctly. Work with the base mounts first.

 

[Woolecox]

Looks Good

Your mounts look like they are in the correct position. The scope look way too far forward for proper eye relief, at least for my shooting positions anyway.

My first advise would be to never let Bass Pro, Cabela's, Gander Mountain or any of the other of the big Chinese retailers to ever touch one of your weapons. A first time gun owner can do better work.

I would suggest one of these kits:

Wheeler Professional Scope Mounting Kits

and a little time on the internet learning to mount, true, and level scopes. The last set of Leupold rings and bases that I ordered were the best (of model) that I have ever gotten. They needed no lapping at all, and lined up spot on using the Wheeler tools. I like these because I can bore sight the scope windage (scope windage adjustment centered) using the rear mounting screws on the ring.

I bought a better level, from Sinclair I think, than the Wheeler kit, and I use the Nightforce plumb bob method to level the cross hairs. Occasionally I do have to lap a set of rings to get them to line up. Even if you only mount one scope in your lifetime, a rifleman and pistoleer will use that torque wrench daily.

 

[Skylerbone]

What rc said, no getting around it with what you chose. Normally your rear base would be considered backward but it seems you need the spacing. One other thing, looks like you've got at least 1/4" and that's my conservative estimate, daylight there. I'd consider lower rings first and foremost.

 

[matrem]

The scope look way too far forward for proper eye relief, at least for my shooting positions anyway.

And I was thinking just the opposite.
Looked like it would be a bit too close to my eye.

 

[Skylerbone]

Perhaps if the picture were a bit darker, more out of focus and showed less of the rifle we could discern things better, ahem...
;-),

A full rail would allow more flexibility in ring placement but nothing alarming about it at present.