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An alternative to lapping/bedding rings

AlNyhus

Silver $$ Contributor
For those that are a bit skittish about bedding scope rings, here's an alternative.

If you're using a 1" scope, buy a set of 30mm rings and use the Delrin 30mm-to-1" reducers that are available. They conform to both the ring and the scope tube and leave no marks on the tube.

I've done this on several occasions...below is my 30BR LV gun with 30mm Kelbly rings, inserts, and a 1" Sightron BRD 36X scope. If you look closely, you can see the inserts.

qB1CXuWh.jpg


Also, on my HBR gun...harder to see in this pic.

67nLvQTh.jpg


For what it's worth... -Al
 
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For those who feel rings are not precise why would the inserts be any better? Just asking. To me bedding or lapping comes under busy work.Perhaps I am wrong. I always put a strip of masking tape on the bottom half of the ring. Never had a scope move since doing this. Years ago Burris use to supply a strip of sticky paper and recommend this. I guess that could be considered a form of bedding.
 
JEFFPPC said:
For those who feel rings are not precise why would the inserts be any better? Just asking. To me bedding or lapping comes under busy work.Perhaps I am wrong. I always put a strip of masking tape on the bottom half of the ring. Never had a scope move since doing this. Years ago Burris use to supply a strip of sticky paper and recommend this. I guess that could be considered a form of bedding.
Click to expand...
I always do something similar...I put a trimmed strip of cloth electrical tape on the bottom half. It is sticky on both surfaces and allows the scope to seat itself. A roll of it will last you a lifetime...assuming you can remember where you stored the last roll. I usually remember where I stored it after I buy another roll.
 
I use Burris Signature rings to avoid the issue; the inserts are spherical bearings so they self-align, compensating for small misalignments. In addition, using offset inserts allows zeroing the scope at the desired point so windage and elevation settings are at mechanical (and optical) zero, If your scope rail/bases don't have the desired elevation built in, you can also add it with the inserts. I like the flexibility and ease of installation, Especially with the Signature Zee rings that mount directly to a picatinny rail.
 
JEFFPPC said:
To me bedding or lapping comes under busy work .Perhaps I am wrong.
Click to expand...
Here's a good example of why you should bed scope rings. What happens when the ring tops are screwed down? The scope rings are deformed enough to grip the tube in a non-uniform manner. And inside the tube, the erector assembly moves up/down and right/left. Might a deformed tube might have an impact (pun intended) on how repeatable w/e adjustments as well as being repeatable after the breakaway G forces that scopes see as the gun recoils?

To me, proper base/ring bedding is no different than properly bedding an action to the stock. Why would we want to spend hours doing a bedding job just to throw a scope into some rings and crank the tops down? If the action has removeable bases...that's another thing that can be wonky.,,,they need to be bedded properly to the action before the rings are lapped and bedded. We want as close to a 100% micron fit to assure repeatability. And repeatability is what contributes to accuracy.

These are poorly fitting rings-to-scope tube. Notice the bases have been correctly bedded to the action using a special alignment tool that locates the height and f-r alignment.

Good shootin'. :) -Al

0rGzlafl.jpg
 
AlNyhus said:
Here's a good example of why you should bed scope rings. What happens when the ring tops are screwed down? The scope rings are deformed enough to grip the tube in a non-uniform manner. And inside the tube, the erector assembly moves up/down and right/left. Might a deformed tube might have an impact (pun intended) on how repeatable w/e adjustments as well as being repeatable after the breakaway G forces that scopes see as the gun recoils?

To me, proper base/ring bedding is no different than properly bedding an action to the stock. Why would we want to spend hours doing a bedding job just to throw a scope into some rings and crank the tops down? If the action has removeable bases...that's another thing that can be wonky.,,,they need to be bedded properly to the action before the rings are lapped and bedded. We want as close to a 100% micron fit to assure repeatability. And repeatability is what contributes to accuracy.

These are poorly fitting rings-to-scope tube. Notice the bases have been correctly bedded to the action using a special alignment tool that locates the height and f-r alignment.

Good shootin'. :) -Al

0rGzlafl.jpg
Click to expand...
So is it correct that after bedding the scope into the rings you don't {or don't have to} tighten the rings to the scope as much??? I have to ask, do you fellas have a lot of trouble with the scope moving in the rings?? It would seem less likely to move on a bench rest rifle as say a hunting rifle.
I really don't remember ever having one move in the rings on any of mine, but, then again maybe I just don't know it did...now, scope bases are different. Not an everyday occurrence, but I have had several bases work their way loose. In fact, it is too the point where I was thinking about starting to bed all scope bases. That is what interested me in this thread. Any info is greatly appreciated!!!!
 
I suppose I have been just lucky with scope rings. Msinc, like you I have never had a problem with ring screws coming loose but have found lots of loose base screws when trouble shooting rifles for folks. I always blue Locktite bases.I have been shooting Kelby rings on 3 competition rifles for close 30 years. Never a problem. Oh, I also don't wear a mask. Guess I am just a rebel. Al, thanks for the pic and explanation .
 
"Crank the tops down" ??!!
Egads man! This isn't the 60's with the old straight edged single screw ring era! ;)
We have economical torque wrenches now.

For my bases, and rings i use the purple, low strength Loctite.
For my rings (Vortex or Warne) i use a touch of rosin.

I'm one of those ones JeffPPC mentioned about. :rolleyes:
Put scope on night of a match, and forgot to tighten the rings to the base. Oops...:oops:
 
I have 1" rings on all my rifles i have had and my old friend lapped all them for me , let me refrase that he made me do that . I am wanting to change two rifles to 30mm tubes are there rings and bases that don't require being lapped. I have a set of med Burris xtr for a ar15 that was never used thought about using them with 20moa base for my varmint rifle not sure f for my BR rifle ?
 
Scope slippage for me ended when I stopped buying 'gloss' finish scopes and bought only 'matte' finish. I do still use strips of the cloth electrical tape as a habit, but haven't had a scope slip in many years.
 
Lapping and bedding scope rings is a pain in the behind, but in my opinion as a amateur, bubby inspired, and overly enthusiastic shooter, there is no better way to mount a scope. It removes all doubts from my mind regarding my scope mounting system.
 
I agree it is very important to believe in what procedures we use. I just laugh every time I go to a 500 yard groundhogs shoot and beat the 20 lb plus boomers with lapped rings with my 10 lb 5 oz 6ppc and unlapped, unbedded rings.I guess someday I have yet to hear someone at a shoot say they were having an accuracy problem and fixed it by lapping the rings or bedding them. What I do hear is I saw this article and I think it's a good idea. To me it's sorta like the "pandemic." Anyone stop and question why flu deathes are down 98% this year. Hmmmmmm......
 
A good example of a poor fitting scope ring is the Tikka T3 original 1"(25.4mm) ring mounts. The bottom piece radius is too large and it wobbles on the scope tube, these mounts fit perfect on an old 26mm scope.
A 1" scope tube will be deformed if not bedded into these rings, the top clamp can be shaped easily to fit as it is soft ally. I bed all rings.
LC
 
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