General scope mounting.

GlockMeister · 06-30-2008, 01:47 AM

I was just wondering and wanted to know if a person needs to or should use a scope alignment tool and or lapping compound to assure the rings are grabbing the scope evenly and are aligned properly? This item is what I'm talking about.

MidwayUSA - Wheeler Engineering Scope Ring Alignment and Lapping Combo Kit 1" and 30mm

SwedeSteve · 06-30-2008, 07:36 AM

I use an alignment tool when mounting rings. I have not lapped rings as of yet, but understand why it might be necessary.

killer · 06-30-2008, 08:17 AM

I wonder if it is only another "tool" gimmick.

I have always installed my own scopes and eventually bought the device you show and like SwedeSteve do not use the lapping compound. With the device I found all but one of my rifles had slightly mismatched scope base holes drilled in the receiver. The one rifle that was perfectly drilled was a Rem 700 ADL model. It has uncanny accuracy but I don't honestly know if it is because of the near perfect scope alignment as Midway says..."Misaligned rings cause stress on the scope tube, which can distort the reticle, and cause adjustment problems."

How does one know if the scope tube itself is bent a few thousands off (which some must be worse than others)? All scopes must have some internal slack if you will with the reticle springs that can tolerate a slightly stressed tube?

telkev · 06-30-2008, 11:47 AM

It is definately not a gimmick, but it is also not needed for most practical applications. As long as you can mount the scope without putting stress on the scope tube, you will be fine. The lapping tools are used mostly by competitive shooters that want everything to be as perfect as possible. I try to use the Burris signatue series rings whenever I can. The inserts in their rings basicly provide you with the same advantage as lapping the rings.

GlockMeister · 06-30-2008, 03:03 PM

Well my concern was more for the rings not being perfect more so then the factory scope holes being off for the mount one decides to use. My concern is over a ring not grabbing the scope flush, but instead it grabs it on an edge. Then if I just happen to be near any of the inner glass of the scope, it pinching it or moving it. Know what I mean or what I'm trying to say?

But that's my reasoning for wanting the alignment tool. Hate to not get or have one and realize or find I should have. lol I also figure I could use the alignment tool for any future scope mounting as well though.

FWIW, I went with a pair/set of Burris 1" Zee rings to mount a Sightron 3-9X40mm scope on a Ruger 10/22.

SwedeSteve · 07-01-2008, 12:20 PM

The alignment tool does just that. It aligns the rings to reduce stress. The inserts provide for a more positive and uniform gripping of the scope.

billy · 07-01-2008, 09:52 PM

these are the only kind of rings i use these days.

burris signature zee rinngs.

i found this ad copy.
Burris Signature ZEE HIGH matte black 1" Rings, w/plastic inserts. These are the cat's meow for mounting scopes with. They leave no ring marks and make up for the imperfect circles a steel or aluminum ring can make which can bend, dent and twist a scope under recoil. They are sort of like universal joints for scopes.

GlockMeister · 07-01-2008, 11:28 PM

Good to know Billy. I like to find out what others have found works best for them but it's even better to hear why or have them explain why they chose or use something.

I went ahead and ordered a 1" alignment tool, as it's currently on sale at Midway USA for $79.99. I'll get another Wheeler FAT Wrench, as I already have one, and some other stuff. Originally $99.99. If anyone else is interested, it's on sale until
7/31/2008.
MidwayUSA - Wheeler Engineering Scope Mounting Kit 1"

GlockMeister · 07-05-2008, 02:11 AM

Is it advisable or recommended to put like say grease, lubricant or a rust inhibitor in between the weaver scope mount base and the receiver???

jimkim · 07-06-2008, 12:40 AM

I never have. I try to get the surface as clean as possible. If something is under there it is easier for things to shift. Heres another link. He uses a dowel rod to align his rings.
Brownells - World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories and Gunsmithing Tools

You lap rings for the same reason you line bore your engine block. You want it straight and true. It has been twenty years or longer since I've seen it done. I think this is due to improved design as well as better manufacturing techniques. If you use the rings that my bud Bill suggest you will never need to.

GlockMeister · 07-06-2008, 01:03 AM

Bump. Just bumping it up to get others input/s and opinion/s as to whether or not it's advisable to put grease or rust inhibitor in between the mount and receiver? Thanks for the reply jimkim. I do appreciate it...

lefty o · 07-06-2008, 08:11 AM

doesnt matter, unless the mount and reciever are perfectly machined(and they never are), there is going to be some gaps that are not even visible that oil will get under on its own.

GlockMeister · 07-06-2008, 08:52 AM

I only asked because the scope mounting kit I got came with a CD and this is something they recommended and up until seeing the DVD that came with the kit, I'd never heard of having to do this. I just wanted to make sure it just wasn't something aimed at them selling and me buying more of their products. Well, I'm sure it is/was, but I still just wanted to make sure it was something that should be done.

I never thought that during normal cleaning stuff would work it's way under the mount anyhow. I mean I know it can but forgot it would. lol

Very good point and thanks for reminding me of it and for the reply LeftyO. It's much appreciated...

Arkiemike · 07-06-2008, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlockMeister

Is it advisable or recommended to put like say grease, lubricant or a rust inhibitor in between the weaver scope mount base and the receiver???

I use a LIGHT coat of removeable Loc-tite under my bases. Not only will it keep moisture or oil out, it also "sets" the base on the receiver. If you ever need to remove the base, a hair dryer will provide enough heat to break the bond. This works particularly well on two piece bases on hard kicking bolt actions. The bases almost become part of the receiver.
Also, try to torque the screws evenly.

jimkim · 07-06-2008, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lefty o

doesnt matter, unless the mount and reciever are perfectly machined(and they never are), there is going to be some gaps that are not even visible that oil will get under on its own.

+1
Oil should get in there through capillary action.

06-30-2008, 01:47 AM	#1
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 5,377	General scope mounting. I was just wondering and wanted to know if a person needs to or should use a scope alignment tool and or lapping compound to assure the rings are grabbing the scope evenly and are aligned properly? This item is what I'm talking about. MidwayUSA - Wheeler Engineering Scope Ring Alignment and Lapping Combo Kit 1" and 30mm __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6!

06-30-2008, 07:36 AM	#2
SwedeSteve Bullet Maintenance !! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The anchor point, Alaska Posts: 10,283 Images: 1	I use an alignment tool when mounting rings. I have not lapped rings as of yet, but understand why it might be necessary. __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

06-30-2008, 08:17 AM	#3
killer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In the rat race Posts: 905 Images: 6	I wonder if it is only another "tool" gimmick. I have always installed my own scopes and eventually bought the device you show and like SwedeSteve do not use the lapping compound. With the device I found all but one of my rifles had slightly mismatched scope base holes drilled in the receiver. The one rifle that was perfectly drilled was a Rem 700 ADL model. It has uncanny accuracy but I don't honestly know if it is because of the near perfect scope alignment as Midway says..."Misaligned rings cause stress on the scope tube, which can distort the reticle, and cause adjustment problems." How does one know if the scope tube itself is bent a few thousands off (which some must be worse than others)? All scopes must have some internal slack if you will with the reticle springs that can tolerate a slightly stressed tube? __________________ "Yeee Hawww...I'm a cowboy on an iron horse." Killer's cabin: http://buckmountainchateau.com/

06-30-2008, 11:47 AM	#4
telkev Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: SW MS Posts: 234	It is definately not a gimmick, but it is also not needed for most practical applications. As long as you can mount the scope without putting stress on the scope tube, you will be fine. The lapping tools are used mostly by competitive shooters that want everything to be as perfect as possible. I try to use the Burris signatue series rings whenever I can. The inserts in their rings basicly provide you with the same advantage as lapping the rings. __________________ One hole groups are as easy as pulling the trigger, until you pull it the second time.

06-30-2008, 03:03 PM	#5
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 5,377	Well my concern was more for the rings not being perfect more so then the factory scope holes being off for the mount one decides to use. My concern is over a ring not grabbing the scope flush, but instead it grabs it on an edge. Then if I just happen to be near any of the inner glass of the scope, it pinching it or moving it. Know what I mean or what I'm trying to say? But that's my reasoning for wanting the alignment tool. Hate to not get or have one and realize or find I should have. lol I also figure I could use the alignment tool for any future scope mounting as well though. FWIW, I went with a pair/set of Burris 1" Zee rings to mount a Sightron 3-9X40mm scope on a Ruger 10/22. __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6! Last edited by GlockMeister; 06-30-2008 at 03:09 PM.

07-01-2008, 12:20 PM	#6
SwedeSteve Bullet Maintenance !! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The anchor point, Alaska Posts: 10,283 Images: 1	The alignment tool does just that. It aligns the rings to reduce stress. The inserts provide for a more positive and uniform gripping of the scope. __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

07-01-2008, 09:52 PM	#7
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 11,970 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 146	these are the only kind of rings i use these days. burris signature zee rinngs. i found this ad copy. Burris Signature ZEE HIGH matte black 1" Rings, w/plastic inserts. These are the cat's meow for mounting scopes with. They leave no ring marks and make up for the imperfect circles a steel or aluminum ring can make which can bend, dent and twist a scope under recoil. They are sort of like universal joints for scopes. __________________ just leave britney ALONE! she's going thru a hard time snivel sniff....WAH

07-01-2008, 11:28 PM	#8
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 5,377	Good to know Billy. I like to find out what others have found works best for them but it's even better to hear why or have them explain why they chose or use something. I went ahead and ordered a 1" alignment tool, as it's currently on sale at Midway USA for $79.99. I'll get another Wheeler FAT Wrench, as I already have one, and some other stuff. Originally $99.99. If anyone else is interested, it's on sale until 7/31/2008. MidwayUSA - Wheeler Engineering Scope Mounting Kit 1" __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6!

07-05-2008, 02:11 AM	#9
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 5,377	Is it advisable or recommended to put like say grease, lubricant or a rust inhibitor in between the weaver scope mount base and the receiver??? __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6! Last edited by GlockMeister; 07-05-2008 at 04:12 PM.

07-06-2008, 12:40 AM	#10
jimkim Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Near the Little Ocmulgee river in GA Posts: 2,040 Blog Entries: 11	I never have. I try to get the surface as clean as possible. If something is under there it is easier for things to shift. Heres another link. He uses a dowel rod to align his rings. Brownells - World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories and Gunsmithing Tools You lap rings for the same reason you line bore your engine block. You want it straight and true. It has been twenty years or longer since I've seen it done. I think this is due to improved design as well as better manufacturing techniques. If you use the rings that my bud Bill suggest you will never need to. __________________ Jan. 4, 2007...Gasoline $2.10/gallon HMMM? Jim

07-06-2008, 01:03 AM	#11
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 5,377	Bump. Just bumping it up to get others input/s and opinion/s as to whether or not it's advisable to put grease or rust inhibitor in between the mount and receiver? Thanks for the reply jimkim. I do appreciate it... __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6! Last edited by GlockMeister; 07-06-2008 at 03:59 AM.

07-06-2008, 08:11 AM	#12
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 4,785	doesnt matter, unless the mount and reciever are perfectly machined(and they never are), there is going to be some gaps that are not even visible that oil will get under on its own.

07-06-2008, 08:52 AM	#13
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 5,377	I only asked because the scope mounting kit I got came with a CD and this is something they recommended and up until seeing the DVD that came with the kit, I'd never heard of having to do this. I just wanted to make sure it just wasn't something aimed at them selling and me buying more of their products. Well, I'm sure it is/was, but I still just wanted to make sure it was something that should be done. I never thought that during normal cleaning stuff would work it's way under the mount anyhow. I mean I know it can but forgot it would. lol Very good point and thanks for reminding me of it and for the reply LeftyO. It's much appreciated... __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6!