steel vs aluminum rings

Maybe just pure superstition, but I prefer the steel rings. I'm sure high quality aluminum rings are just as good, but for me, I'm usually spending less than $55 on a pair of rings, so I buy Burris or Leupold. This might be backward thinking, but I don't think you can make as strong of rings, as cheaply, out of anything but steel.
 
i tryed maybe 40 diffent types on rings in the last year. (no joke 40..)and i find steel rings are the best way to go , i would say if you want steel go for the weaver grand slam. for the price $24.95 a set its a real good deal . (i got 8 sets of them lol..)

o ya and you dont need to do what i did , 2 sets on each , but i like the look lol...
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starpuss said:
i tryed maybe 40 diffent types on rings in the last year. (no joke 40..)and i find steel rings are the best way to go , i would say if you want steel go for the weaver grand slam. for the price $24.95 a set its a real good deal . (i got 8 sets of them lol..)

o ya and you dont need to do what i did , 2 sets on each , but i like the look lol...
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:D thats funny...

Hey folks , don't confuse Alluminum rings with those things that come with cheap scopes , and dot sights, their junk
 
Levi Garrett said:
Hey folks , don't confuse Alluminum rings with those things that come with cheap scopes , and dot sights, their junk
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Ya know Frank, those all aluminum Weaver brand 4x4 rings I got from you a while back work great. They're lightweight, stong and dependable. One could only imagine how much a rifle would weigh with 4 all steel, high rings on board.


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SuperCub said:
Ya know Frank, those all aluminum Weaver brand 4x4 rings I got from you a while back work great. They're lightweight, stong and dependable. One could only imagine how much a rifle would weigh with 4 all steel, high rings on board.


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LOL, sorry ... yes their great, but most folks think of those junkers that come with cheap optics, very different quality.:) but you can't blame 'em cause the scopes or dot sights with these are for light rigs with little to no recoil
 
Starpuss,where'd you buy them ?
Just bought a steel 308 BLR so I'm looking.

Hey Grizz,time for a scope...
 
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Let me start off by saying that I am an engineer for a major aerospace manufacturer, not a ring or rail manufacturer, so I have no hidden agendas and I don't have any interest in pushing any particular ring or rail product over another. I just want to make sure everyone knows the facts. Here are the facts:

  • Regular grade cold rolled ASTM 36 (1018) steel plate has a yield strength of 36ksi and an ultimate tensile strength of 58 - 65ksi.
  • 2024-T351 aluminum plate has a yield strength of 47ksi and an ultimate tensile strength of 68ksi.
  • 6061-T651 aluminum plate has a yield strength of 40ksi and an ultimate tensile strength of 45ksi.
  • 7075-T7451 aluminum plate has a yield strength of 68ksi and an ultimate tensile strength of 76ksi.
Seems to me that the 7075 aluminum plate is "stronger" then the mild steel plate (stronger being defined as a combination of tensile & yield strength, as well as a pinch of hardness measure). I should note that the mechanical properties of 7075 depend greatly on the temper of the material, but it's well know that the tensile strength and hardness of properly tempered 7075 are greater than that of mild steel. Also keep in mind that the hardness of the aluminum rings is then further enhanced by hard anodising.

Yes, some grades of ceramic steels are stronger, but these are to expensive to use in the firearms industries, and are used solely for high-strength-critical applications such as tank armor.

Based on the above, I seriously doubt (I've even done the math to prove it) that I could induce the 68ksi of punishment required to permanently deform any 7075 tempered rings or bases, even in the most harshest of conditions (i.e. dropping my 10lb rifle 10 feet square onto the weakest part of the rings or rails). Therefore, I personally sport 7075 TPS rings & bases on my rig since they're more than good enough.


But for all you non-factual people out there who prefer the gut-feel of "steel" versus "aluminum", I'd like to quote an extract from Wikipededia (non italicized portions in brackets are my own editorial remarks):
7075 is widely used for construction of aircraft structures, such as wingsfuselages [I should know, I design airplanes for a living]. Its strength and light weight are also desirable in other fields. Rock climbing equipment [Note that it's used extensively for rock climbing carabiners and the like because of it's weight vs. strength/impact resistance characteristics. Since both of these are also primal considerations when choosing rings, 7075 is naturaly a good choice for firearms rings or bases as well.], bicycle components, and hang gliders are commonly made from 7075 aluminium alloy. The bicycle industry is also using 7005 and 6061 aluminium alloys. Hobby grade R/C's commonly use 7075-T6 and 6061 for chassis plates. One interesting use for 7075 is in the manufacture of M16 rifles for the American military [If the major parts of the US Army's main battle rifle were made with it, then it must be tough enough for rings and bases...].It is also commonly used in shafts for lacrosse sticks. and
Due to its strength, low density, thermal properties and its polishability 7075 is widely used in mould tool manufacture. This alloy has been further refined into other 7000 series alloys for this application namely 7050 and 7020.


:D



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HP - I would think modulus of elasticity (E) is a more important property, rather than yield strength. If memory serves, aluminum is about half that of steel. If so, it would deflect twice as much as steel under the same (scope-induced) shaking forces...
 
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Also wondering why, if aluminum beats steel in all those aspect, don't they make the fasteners for the rings and bases from aluminum too? How come they don't save up a pile of weight and make the bolts and receivers from aluminum as well? More explanation needed to convince me that aluminum is superior in any way to a good grade of steel, aside from weight. Even where money is no consideration, such as auto racing, they use steel studs and axles, steel head bolts, crankshafts, and never use aluminum connecting rods except for drag racing motors that are only expected to hold together for a short time period.

Edit: Added information. Weaver TSR rings are made from 1215 steel alloy and have a tensile strength of 78,000 psi.
 
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There are too many variables to consider. 7075 is a very nice strong aluminum that works great for things like scope rings on medium calibers and under, receivers etc etc. If you're gonna build a .338LM rifle then I would go with a quality steel ring which is likely made from tool steel etc etc. You really need to know the application and then determine what grade of what metal is best. Most bolts are made from case hardened too steel which is significantly stronger then any aluminum. Now all that said there are some newer aluminum alloys that are incredibly strong, much more so then 7075 but once again cost comes into play. And there are also steel alloys that are stupidly strong which require specialized tooling just to machine.

So scope rings for your .308 a quality aluminum ring and base made from 7075 will probably never let you down. A .50BMG bolt gun would very much appreciate a high quality steel setup. .22 rimfire 1022 will run forever on cheap china rings.

Now we could add the variable of thickness and be here all day :D.
 
I just like steel rings because of the weight... I dunno, Id rather have a heavier gun then a lighter one... Backwards thinking I know, but I hold the rifle more steady with the extra weight.. (Rings are only a part of that obviously)...
 
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