Are Scope Rings Vital?

[PutativeSquirrel]

Hey guys, it seems any time I ask about scope rings at a gun shop, they look at me funny. Is it a common thing to get good quality scope rings? Does it make much of a difference? I just bought a Bushnell 3200 and I just used the stock rings I had on the gun that were for the other scope.. Thanks

 

[Grizzlypeg]

I think its essential to get good quality rings. Good rings have better machining, fit to ring bases, better quality fasteners. Burris & Leupold have good quality rings at affordable prices. So do others, but I mainly use those brands.

 

[nate18]

asking that is like asking if a car needs tires to move....im just kidding know what you mean. most guys like better quality rings. my self, i haven't enough knowledge to input helpfully on this thread..good luck anyways lol

 

[fugawi]

I think its essential to get good quality rings. Good rings have better machining, fit to ring bases, better quality fasteners. Burris & Leupold have good quality rings at affordable prices. So do others, but I mainly use those brands.

x2

Don't save money using crappy rings with a quality scope on a quality rifle. Especially if you're planning to hunt with it. I use Sako Optilocks and Leupold QD rings.

 

[Sun_and_Steel_77]

Scope rings are simply an overrated luxury item. With my setup in the picture below I am grouping five-shots into a toonie at 500 yards! Welcome to CGN!

But seriously now, I'm assuming you're talking about the Mk II rifle in your sig, so whats the problem with your factory Ruger rings?, IMHO after a hand lapping Rugers integral rings are one of the better all around mounting systems out there.

 

[P of PDent]

Hey guys, it seems any time I ask about scope rings at a gun shop, they look at me funny. Is it a common thing to get good quality scope rings? Does it make much of a difference? I just bought a Bushnell 3200 and I just used the stock rings I had on the gun that were for the other scope.. Thanks

Since you show a picture of a Ruger stock in your post I am assuming you are mounting the scope on this rifle. Rugers are one of the few guns that come with rings. These are dedicated to only the Ruger action but other companies also offer these as replacements. Our opinions on Ruger factory rings are;
1. They are good looking
2. They are stong
3. They are not round inside where it matters due to the fact that they are investment cast. We ream (this is way more effort than lapping which we also do after reaming) all of our Ruger factory rings to get an acceptable fit with the scope body.
If you come into our store we will explain this and show you what we mean. Phil.

 

[dizzy]

rings have one purpose, mount the scope on your rife and keep it from moving. cheap rings can and will do this and some won't move, when you remove and replace the otpic poor rings will almost never let you put the optic back to its exact original position, where as really good rings will, saving you from having to rezero the optic. Many large game animals have dropped on account of folks using bad rings and hose clamps,heck even duct tape will work if you have to use it but. My money goes to good rings. More secure....maybe.....more round less damage to optic.......can be tightened and loosened more than el cheapos, hold their zero better, all benefits worth paying for in my mind.

 

[Dax420]

Any ring that doesn't allow the scope to move AT ALL is a good ring. Everything else is "bling".

If you need to re-sight in your rifle every time you put it in it's case and take it back out again, you don't have good rings.

 

[neotekz]

check out the burris signature zee rings with plastic inserts. they hold zero on all my rifles, i have them on 3. the plastic inserts allow you to add elevation if you plan on shooting long distance or dont have enough elevation to zero, this was the case with my 10/22 i didn't even have enough elevation on my bushnell 3200 5-15x40mm to zero. with teh burris rings i can zero and have some elevation to spare.

 

[sunray]

"...five-shots into a toonie at 500 yards!..." Use better ammo.
"...Any ring that doesn't allow the scope to move AT ALL is a good ring..." Exactly.
"...the stock rings I had on the gun..." Assuming they're good rings, they'll do nicely. "Good" doesn't always mean steel, but it's much more difficult to strip the screw holes on steel rings. The scope that goes in 'em doesn't matter.
Rugers? Ruger is terrified of frivolous U.S. law suits. So they won't sell bad/poor rings.

 

[FLUXCORE]

Scope rings are simply an overrated luxury item. With my setup in the picture below I am grouping five-shots into a toonie at 500 yards! Welcome to CGN!

But seriously now, I'm assuming you're talking about the Mk II rifle in your sig, so whats the problem with your factory Ruger rings?, IMHO after a hand lapping Rugers integral rings are one of the better all around mounting systems out there.

I'm switching to your setup

 

[P of PDent]

As I noted previous, Ruger rings are strong, unfortunately as they come from the factory they only have about 20% contact with the scope body. We have noted this big problem with every set of Ruger rings we have tried to lap. We initially resorted to hand filling the rings then eventually invested in reamers to speed up the work. Try this for yourself...take a lapping bar and lap for about two minutes and then look what part of the ring your engaging. You will note that only the front leading edge of the rings have any contact point. The only way to get proper contact is to ream the rings or tighten them down so much that the scope body is crushed. We have seen more than a few scopes damaged this way. Ruger is well aware of this probem. Phil.

 

[Bigbubba]

grizzleypeg X3
Get leupold rings and bases - not too expensive and hold that scope firm
Put a drop of locktite on the screws when you snug them up - done forever.