I am one of those people that likes to take care of his equipment. When it comes to scopes on my bench guns i try and get rings that wont leave bad ring marks on my scopes. what brand of rings are any of you out there using on on your bench guns that ar solid and very reliable, but wont tear up your scope? have any of you used JJ industries rings?. the Kelbly rings on my scopes ar OK but they do leave a good ring mark on my scopes. Gabe
Avoiding ring marks on a scope?
- Thread starter Gabe
- Start date
Doesn't matter too much about brand (assuming they are reasonable quality, not some cheap Chinese junk, just lap and bed the rings.
timeout
Silver $$ Contributor
Burris with inserts is the easiest, and maybe the best, way to go. I have also lapped rings and bedded with a thin coat of JB weld. Just like bedding an action, wax everything that you don't want glued in. big name rings do not automatically mean your scope won't be scratched.
Plus 4 for the Burris Signature Zee rings, also available for standard (Leupold/Redfield) bases. Not only will you never leave ring marks on your scope tube(s), but you also have the option of using the included off-set inserts to keep your scope reticle close to center. Forget about having to use shims.
Mid-South has them in stock, just bought 2 more sets.
Mid-South has them in stock, just bought 2 more sets.
Gary in MD
Gold $$ Contributor
YUUUP....I haven't used any other rings since trying the Burris.
Gary
Gary
Wow, I thought the posters on this site would hate the thought of Burris Signature (insert) rings on there high dollar bench rifles. 
I've actually changed to insert rings on every bench and carry rifle I own. There is virtually no downside except that they look a little bulky.
For those who shy away from using them on heavy recoiling rifles - I have them on 7mm mags, 300 mags & a 338 Rum and have witnessed no slippage on any of them.
I've actually changed to insert rings on every bench and carry rifle I own. There is virtually no downside except that they look a little bulky.
For those who shy away from using them on heavy recoiling rifles - I have them on 7mm mags, 300 mags & a 338 Rum and have witnessed no slippage on any of them.
Lapping and proper torque have yielded ring free marks even with the cheapest of rings and most expensive of scopes.
BigDMT
Of course lap your rings and makes sure never to over-torque your rings ...
But if you don't want to buy Burris Signature rings there is another way that works awesome for me and really locks the scope up solid in the rings with having to use much less torque on the ring screws.
I use "Black Hockey Tape". You can find it in any large sporting goods store that carries hockey equipment. I think even Walmart carries it?...
Anyhow, you just measure the scope body circumference and cut a piece of hockey tape a 1/16" shorter than that. Then wrap it around the scope body exactly where it will be mounted in the rings leaving the very slight gap on the top of the scope body. BE SURE TAPE IS CUT SHORT ENOUGH TO WHERE IT DOES NOT OVERLAP AT THE TOP. Just want ends of tape to "come together" to ensure uniform thickness around the scope body. Then place scope in the rings and tighten to about 10 ft lbs. or just a "light hand tight".
Hockey tape is very adhesive and made with a fabric that grips anything it touches. Will completely protect your scope body, make up for any ring imperfections, and makes the scope stick in the rings so well that minimal torque allows it to stay very solid and hold zero perfectly. The matte black color of the tape also blends with black scope bodies well.
It really works great. When you want to remove the scope, the tape will leave a little adhesive behind, but just apply a little Windex type cleaner or rubbing alcohol and it comes right off leaving the scope looking like new.
Another tip is to level the scope before you even put on the top half of the rings. Once scope is set in the bottom of the rings and leveled, place top half of rings on with even gaps on each side and tighten in cross pattern. The grip that the hockey tape has on the bottom half of the rings really helps lessen canting and KEEP the scope level when tightening the top of the rings.
But if you don't want to buy Burris Signature rings there is another way that works awesome for me and really locks the scope up solid in the rings with having to use much less torque on the ring screws.
I use "Black Hockey Tape". You can find it in any large sporting goods store that carries hockey equipment. I think even Walmart carries it?...
Anyhow, you just measure the scope body circumference and cut a piece of hockey tape a 1/16" shorter than that. Then wrap it around the scope body exactly where it will be mounted in the rings leaving the very slight gap on the top of the scope body. BE SURE TAPE IS CUT SHORT ENOUGH TO WHERE IT DOES NOT OVERLAP AT THE TOP. Just want ends of tape to "come together" to ensure uniform thickness around the scope body. Then place scope in the rings and tighten to about 10 ft lbs. or just a "light hand tight".
Hockey tape is very adhesive and made with a fabric that grips anything it touches. Will completely protect your scope body, make up for any ring imperfections, and makes the scope stick in the rings so well that minimal torque allows it to stay very solid and hold zero perfectly. The matte black color of the tape also blends with black scope bodies well.
It really works great. When you want to remove the scope, the tape will leave a little adhesive behind, but just apply a little Windex type cleaner or rubbing alcohol and it comes right off leaving the scope looking like new.
Another tip is to level the scope before you even put on the top half of the rings. Once scope is set in the bottom of the rings and leveled, place top half of rings on with even gaps on each side and tighten in cross pattern. The grip that the hockey tape has on the bottom half of the rings really helps lessen canting and KEEP the scope level when tightening the top of the rings.
Leaddog
F-Class T/R
Previously used Badger steel rings and Seekins aluminum, but switched all my rifles to Nightforce Ultra-Lites. Best rings I've ever used. I still prefer the Badger steel scope mounts over all the rest.
All my rings are lapped and the bare metal has left some light scuffs on the scope tubes of my March and Nightforce scopes. It is of no concern.
Lot's of folks like Burris because of the dreaded scuffs, but I've seen slippage on a 300WM.
All my rings are lapped and the bare metal has left some light scuffs on the scope tubes of my March and Nightforce scopes. It is of no concern.
Lot's of folks like Burris because of the dreaded scuffs, but I've seen slippage on a 300WM.
Gabe said:
Wax the scope body (for excample shoe polish) - put epoxy in the rings - and screw the scope in the rings until the epoxy run out and the scope hold in place. Clean everything with alcohol and after 48 hours thighten the screws.
So you get a very thin Epoxy protection layer between rings and scope and a 100% perfect fitting.
Tip: Valdada optics has very good steel Picatinny Rings.
And I forget: the epoxy is ressistant against gun oil etc. It`s a good solution for many decades.
BigDMT
ddkearney said:
No it does not work the same. Electrical tape will work, but not nearly as good as hockey tape. Hockey tape grips the rings much better and it's adhesive properties won't change nearly as much in cold weather as electrical tape. I've been an electrician for over 12 years now, so trust me, I've tried electrical tape as well
I don't recommend electrical tape, but if you do use it, make sure it is the Scotch 33+ brand and grade. That Walmart or Napa Chinese crap won't work at all in any sort of cold weather.
PS; electrical tape is made out of vinyl
Wow just got back to my post to find all you gun Aficionados giving some good info here. Thank you. I do know about the Burris rings, just wondering if they make them for a panda type action?. applying wax to my scope body and then epoxy the rings, never done that before except when piller bedding an action, i might give that one a try. The hokey tape i might also give that one a try. my bench guns ar right at 10 1/2Lbs in weight,if burris does make a panda style ring i hope that ther not to heavy, that way i dont have to take my target knob covers off my scopes to make weight. Gabe
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