Do you guys use protection?

[Justin Utherdude]

...for your scopes?

Like both as in some sort of thin tape or something in between the scope and rings to prevent marring, but also any sort of scope cover or anything for use in the field or transportation?

Also, does anyone have any experience with QD one or two piece mounts? I have a set of bobro's that I quite like, but for a possible hunting build in the future I'm thinking about going with something lighter. Any ideas? (30mm tube diam)

Thank you for your time. J.U.

 

[sksshooter]

Never used any kind of tape or anything in the mounts. I do use scope coats to cover my scopes especially for hunting rifles that will be riding in the utv. Keeps them from getting dust all in the lense. Although im leaning towards just keeping my rifle in a soft case to and from the woods this year. By the end of last season my gun was filthy with dust in every crevice it could find.

 

[ELR LVR]

...for your scopes?

Like both as in some sort of thin tape or something in between the scope and rings to prevent marring, but also any sort of scope cover or anything for use in the field or transportation?

Also, does anyone have any experience with QD one or two piece mounts? I have a set of bobro's that I quite like, but for a possible hunting build in the future I'm thinking about going with something lighter. Any ideas? (30mm tube diam)

Thank you for your time. J.U.

With quality rings, they should be theoretically machined so perfectly, you do not need protection between the scope and the rings
(That's what I read about the precision of Nightforces rings anyhow, they do not leave marks)
Its like a matched fit, think of it like a collet fitting something perfectly
With Tape in between Quality rings, it may actually squeeze right through the tape and interfere.
----
With cheap china rings
You can use some thin paper like tape, binder paper cut to fit may actually work well too I use that in between a barrel and the barrel vise and it still grips
----
Best thing for cheaper rings which are not NightForce, Spuhr, Warne etc.
would be to lap the rings with a correct sized mandrel
This is mainly to correct any misalignment more than ring size
Since it is usually misalingment that causes ring marks on a scope
----
The Burris Signature rings have plastic inserts that align and also protect the scope
Those work great!

 

[gdbleb]

Years ago Mike Ezell (I think) wrote here that he used rubber cement between rings and scope. I have done that since. It is easy to clean up when dry with a string. I think it improves contact. It wouldn't protect from a jagged ring though.

 

[Gary in MD]

Forget everything else and get the Burris signature rings with the plastic inserts.
You won’t have any marks on your scope tube and they hold great.

 

[ChrisNZ]

Yup, have them on many of my rifles.

A pet hate of mine is seeing high end used scopes for sale with garks on the tube from crap rings.

 

[Justin Utherdude]

I've actually used the signature z-rings before. They're nice enough, I just don't use them for everything. I was leaning towards a one piece mount of some sort, but it sounds like the nicer ones are supposed to have close enough tolerances that they will not destroy the anodization on a scope. I usually keep the rifles in a case for transport, so protection would be more for when it's slung over my back or something similar. I vaguely recall using vortex rings a decade or so and they marked up what was in them. I have 2 viper pst 6-24s right now, but I'm looking at getting my first piece of glass over a grand and I want to make sure it is very protected.

 

[jds holler]

IF I had no way of lapping the rings, and IF I saw a slight mis-alignment problem or a sharp edge that might mark up the scope, I'd do a careful tape insert. -- not my preference but also not a big problem. jd

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

I use hockey tape sometimes. caution. been on one scope for 6 years. I have not taken it off to see condition of scope. no dents or scratches but I don't know if it has been stained. there is/was a fine tape on the market supposedly for putting inside rings. Never tried it and probably hard to find.

 

[Schandler]

Burris signature and never left a mark on a high dollar or cheap scope. That said I’ve never removed many except to upgrade to better scope on a rifle. I do lap all rings before mounting even nightforce. Never used anything like pipe tape but would consider with cheap rings. I would have nightmares if i saw ring marks on quality scope. No reason for marks to be there if you are not in a rush to mount and shoot.

 

[Justin Utherdude]

What do y'all use to lap?

 

[Schandler]

Scope Ring Alignment and Lapping Kit | Wheeler

Scope Ring Alignment and Lapping Kit

www.wheelertools.com

 

[Shifty6br]

Check out coban wrap, it is a self adhering cloth wrap that sticks to itself not the applicant and won't leave a residue on the scopes finish.

Personally I'm not a big fan of puttitng anything between the rings and scope tube....proper torque with a torque wrench and marring will be either minimal or nonexistent.

I use Hawkins and NF and neither have left any noticeable marring more so with the Hawkins at the proper torque.

 

[PaulyD]

I use Scope Chaps for scope protection. Great product the works. Small vet owned company. Good people.