Burris Signature rings - why are some people not using them?
- Thread starter Tommie
- Start date
My centerfire hunting rifles have DNZ one piece base and ring setup. Not the prettiest but lightweight and strong. Too much investment to change and it makes no sense to change what has worked for decades. On my rimfire rifles I have opted for the clean/streamlined and beautiful look of S&K mounts and their 1 piece rings. I prefer them over ConeTrol and I'm not sure ConeTrol is still in business after the passing of Mr. Miller.
hoz53
Gold $$ Contributor
i think you are correct about that. i wish somebody would make them here. seems like an obvious good seller.
AlNyhus
Silver $$ Contributor
The Signature rings work well. But for BR use with lower weight limits, their weight is one negative. Also, not all actions will accept bolt on bases so the 3/8" Kelbly/Davidson style rings are the only option....short of a rail adapter. The Signature 'Zee' series single cross bolt fastener is fairly cheesy.
I don't use them because they are too high for my hunting rifles and I consider them to be a little homely. The homeliness isn't a big deal, I fit into that category myself, but I've just never been a fan. WH
joshb
Gold $$ Contributor
They’re my favorite rings. While I wish they were made here, I won’t stop buying them because they’re made abroad.
hoz53
Gold $$ Contributor
mine to and i havent stopped buying them either— well mabie i have enough— anyway replaced most of my redfield style windage rings/bases with them. Im a fan of US made stuff if i can get it though.
I’m a fan of the Signature rings. I’m not so keen on the cross-bolt, slide-on way they interface with the rail but it’s workable. I have them on a number of rifles.
I bought 34mm Signature XTR and I didn’t like them. First of all, the inserts, rather than being spherical like the Signature Zee rings I have, the XTR inserts were cylindrical and if I remember correctly (I don’t have them any more, got rid of them a couple years ago) each insert had a pair of raised ribs on the outside diameter. It seemed to me that it would be real easy to get some stress in the mounting of the scope, that it would be hard for these offset inserts to self-align with each other. I mounted them as carefully as I could and they seemed to work OK.
Burris claims “Unique, self-centering, dual steel clamps with full cross-through connection assure proper center on any width Picatinny rail, while adding extra strength.” Well, I had them on a rifle I was using as a switch barrel, changing between two different barrels/cartridges. It was necessary for me to remove the big scope to switch barrels. Of course I know it’s not going to return to zero and the scope will require adjustment, but the first time I made this switch the horizontal poi shift was 18 inches at 100 yards. I found this was the norm when taking off the scope and putting it back but the shift could be randomly to the right or the left.
This led me to believe the way they mount to the rail, rather than self centering was allowing a great variance in alignment. Picture attached; each XTR ring uses two separate, loose clamping pieces. I switched to Nightforce which the pictures shows a much more repeatable and solid attachment with a solid machined clamping boss on one side and closely fitted clamp on the other. I guess the Burris is OK if you’re going to mount the scope and leave it but it does call in to question the self-centering feature and makes one wonder if it actually results in poorer alignment. As always your results may vary.
I bought 34mm Signature XTR and I didn’t like them. First of all, the inserts, rather than being spherical like the Signature Zee rings I have, the XTR inserts were cylindrical and if I remember correctly (I don’t have them any more, got rid of them a couple years ago) each insert had a pair of raised ribs on the outside diameter. It seemed to me that it would be real easy to get some stress in the mounting of the scope, that it would be hard for these offset inserts to self-align with each other. I mounted them as carefully as I could and they seemed to work OK.
Burris claims “Unique, self-centering, dual steel clamps with full cross-through connection assure proper center on any width Picatinny rail, while adding extra strength.” Well, I had them on a rifle I was using as a switch barrel, changing between two different barrels/cartridges. It was necessary for me to remove the big scope to switch barrels. Of course I know it’s not going to return to zero and the scope will require adjustment, but the first time I made this switch the horizontal poi shift was 18 inches at 100 yards. I found this was the norm when taking off the scope and putting it back but the shift could be randomly to the right or the left.
This led me to believe the way they mount to the rail, rather than self centering was allowing a great variance in alignment. Picture attached; each XTR ring uses two separate, loose clamping pieces. I switched to Nightforce which the pictures shows a much more repeatable and solid attachment with a solid machined clamping boss on one side and closely fitted clamp on the other. I guess the Burris is OK if you’re going to mount the scope and leave it but it does call in to question the self-centering feature and makes one wonder if it actually results in poorer alignment. As always your results may vary.
243Lapua
Silver $$ Contributor
You should be good for BR usage. I've never had an issue with POI moving.
AckleymanII
Gold $$ Contributor
I use them on a lot of rifles. I did have one 7 STW with a Heavy Burris Black Diamond 8x32 move in the rings, this is an isolated incident. I had to go to the Z rings with no inserts.
I expect to see some reports of the heavy arkin scopes moving in the rings, but we will see. I just mounted one in Signature Z rings.
I expect to see some reports of the heavy arkin scopes moving in the rings, but we will see. I just mounted one in Signature Z rings.
I've used Z-rings for years and On my Heavy gun, that rides in the back of my Gun trailer. The gun trailer is like a paint shaker, it Trashed a Vx-6 7x42 Leupold scope. So I take the scopes of any rifle's that ride in that thing, and I have taken the one on my H.G. on and off every time I shoot. And have never had a problem with point of impact. Oh and in 2024 I won H.G. overall doing just that.
Joe salty
Joe salty
Interesting, good info. Is it the Signature XTR rings you're using?
There Weaver stile 30 mm Zee ring. So when I put the scope back on I line the holes up, then put the screw through then push the scope forward till it stops then tighten to 30 inch pounds.
never had a problem.
Joe salty
Ackman
Gold $$ Contributor
No. The plastic inserts are by no means soft, but will not mar aluminum.
Ackman
Gold $$ Contributor
I use the Signature Z rings on everything, have since discovering them, probably in the 90s.. Both 1" and 30mm, never a prroblem of any kind. Won't use anything else.
Once with a box of standard rings (the twist in front / windage style) I did some measuring. Not one pair were the same from base to bottom of ring, closest to both rings measuring the same was .002" difference. Most were .005" or so and a couple as much as .006-.007" different. Even front and back of each ring wasn't the same height. That misalignment isn't good. Signature rings eliminate that problem. I've also had scope / picatinny rail or 2pc.mountings that used up too much elevation adjustment, or weren't exactly centered on the receiver.......Signature inserts were combined to remedy those problems.
For people concerned about being made in China? Look in your closet and what you're wearing and see where stuff is made. Then look at everything in house, including the computer, and see where every thing is made. Not buying rings because of where they're made is very trivial.
Once with a box of standard rings (the twist in front / windage style) I did some measuring. Not one pair were the same from base to bottom of ring, closest to both rings measuring the same was .002" difference. Most were .005" or so and a couple as much as .006-.007" different. Even front and back of each ring wasn't the same height. That misalignment isn't good. Signature rings eliminate that problem. I've also had scope / picatinny rail or 2pc.mountings that used up too much elevation adjustment, or weren't exactly centered on the receiver.......Signature inserts were combined to remedy those problems.
For people concerned about being made in China? Look in your closet and what you're wearing and see where stuff is made. Then look at everything in house, including the computer, and see where every thing is made. Not buying rings because of where they're made is very trivial.
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Gman
Gold $$ Contributor
Some people, (myself included) will not by products from "communist China" if I have the option to buy Made in the USA or other allied nations which produce quality items such as Japan. But that's just me.
jghoghunter
Gold $$ Contributor
I have done the same thing with mine for years never have had an issue. I have taken the scope off to put a another bbl on replace the scope and go to a 1000yd steel match with sighters no issues. Sighters are always right there.
And I'm one of those guys.
Surely you're not implying that simply because someone chooses something else that they be, ummm, of lesser intelligence?
Variety is the spice of life.
I use EGW bases and rings. Made in Pennsylvania, where we live.
Their Keystone line of rings are seriously overbuilt!
I tried lapping them, but that has proven to be a waste of time as they were at 90% contact or better already.
I'd be willing to wager that if you tried them, you at the very least would not notice any less accuracy.
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