Mounting an Aluminum Tube in Steel Rings

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I am preparing to mount a scope with an aluminum tube using steel rings.

What, if anything, should I use between the tube and the rings to prevent marking the tube and/or having it slip in the rings?

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I have used 3M tape, hockey tape and rubber cement - they all work to varying degrees ... if your rings have any edges they will penetrate the tape etc and mark the tube..some folks will use a 1" bar with some abrasive paste to "lap" the rings and remove these edges etc...if it is a heavy scope and a heavy recoiling rifle you will need friction between scope and rings to hold it firmly....the Burris Signature rings with the plastic insert seem the least likely to mar a scope tube ; btw always make sure the rings are aligned or you will mar a scope tube when you tighten the cap screws fwiw
 
Thanks for the suggestions.

The rings are Smith's and will be mounted on an ARMS#05 riser, hopefully that will line them up. I have a 30mm lapping / alignment rod so I can check before inserting the scope, and also take off any edges. The rifle is .223 so recoil shouldn't be an issue.

I'm trying to stay away from tape to avoid the adhesive making a mess, maybe use a very thin piece of rubber (like a racing bike inner tube) wrapped around the scope.

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I think you will find anything more than scotch tape is too thick for the rings to close properly assuming they are matched to the tube diameter eg 1inch rings on a 1 inch tube ...30mm rings on 30mm tube. Not sure I have seen a racing bike inner tube ... but unless it is as thin or thinner than a condom .. it is way too thick. Most adhesive will come off easily with Isopropyl alcohol....hey....maybe a condom cut in strips would work ... thinking out loud (just don't use the lubricated kind)
 
3M makes a self amalgamating rubber tape that gets thinner, amongst other things, as you stretch it. Probably costly. No way you'd need a roll though. You might get a 6" piece from an electrical shop and that would be plenty for the job you're doing.
 
If you can avoid putting anything between the rings and scope body then keep it that way. Most sopes are aluminum and are intended to have a metal to metal contact with the rings ...doesn't matter if the rings are aluminum or steel. A lapping bar is an excellent tool to confirm alignment between the two rings. Take your time and get a good fit and you will be rewarded with a solid mount between the rings and scope. Also don't forget to regrease the rings and scope body as this fit should be bone dry and smooth.
 
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Theoretically, you should be able to bed your rings, just as you can bed an action for an exact fit. I've never tried it, but jb weld or some other type of epoxy paste should work. Maybe sprinkle some rosin powder inside once you've done the bedding, and I think you'd have a pretty rock-solid mount with even stress distribution
 
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