Why do scopes use circular rings?

Stevebot-7

Stevebot-7

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Yup, it's Monday again.

So why do scopes use circular rings? I've been thinking about it, and mounting a scope parallel to the bore is important. Any cant, even a slight amount, can potentially completely ruin accuracy at range, so why don't the rings have a flat area to mate with the "bottom" of the scope? Or a v-notch or ridge/rail along the scope tube?Would the machining process be too cost intensive?

For that matter, you could have a solid scope+mount if you lathe out the ends and middle of the scope tube but leave some squared/other shaped mounting areas that are drilled and tapped. That would replace rings, as it would secure the scope to the mounts, albeit with less flexibility and choice of positioning.

I understand the idea of using separate rings so that you can maximize the number of locations they can be secured, rather than being forced to conform to certain mounting dimensions. But why not use "self leveling" rings?

I'm sure someone thought of this, so is there a good reason for it, or is it just one of those engineering traditions that we do because that's the way it's done?
 
It's pretty common for European scopes to have rails machined onto the bottom, they don't use rings. It makes for a high mount though and a generally poor cheek weld. Also, if the reticle is slightly canted in the tube from the factory(I've had a few Leupold like this), there's no way to correct it. You'd also have to be sure of the receiver and bases being completely square.
As far as tubes being round, it's because they are far more sturdy than a square or other shape and I would assume it also has to do with efficiency of the lenses to transmit light.
 
Stevebot-7 said:
Any cant, even a slight amount, can potentially completely ruin accuracy at range,
Click to expand...
Not true at all, and that's why scopes use circular rings.
TubbSilhouetterifle.jpg
 
A chin stock for rifle silhouette from about 20 yrs ago. Believed to have been a fast track to higher silhouette scores. Now banned from the silhouette game. The stocks had a severe cast to optimize on the chin hold.
The advantage that the stocks were alleged to provide and resulting higher scores have been easily surpassed with conventional style stocks. The current much higher performance and scores are largely a result of improved training and practice techniques. So it's been shown again ,there is no easy route to high performance - just hard work and persistence.
 
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Flat to flat would make life sooo so much easier.
And what for they don't make leftie scopes?
You know, the windage kanobby on the left side?.......aye?
 
bearkilr said:
It's pretty common for European scopes to have rails machined onto the bottom, they don't use rings. It makes for a high mount though and a generally poor cheek weld. Also, if the reticle is slightly canted in the tube from the factory(I've had a few Leupold like this), there's no way to correct it. You'd also have to be sure of the receiver and bases being completely square.
As far as tubes being round, it's because they are far more sturdy than a square or other shape and I would assume it also has to do with efficiency of the lenses to transmit light.
Click to expand...
Makes a lot of sense...
 
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