Best ring height?

[megahoser]

Newbie question: Does scope ring height matter beyond just simple scope clearance? What height is best? For long range shooting does having that extra bore to scope off-set matter?

Thanks.

 

[BoydAllen]

Besides relating to barrel clearance, ring height may also relate to shooting style. If you are a practitioner of the free recoil method,Don't be, if you don't have suitable stock, bags, and rifle balance.) higher rings can be and advantage, making it easier to keep your face off of the stock's comb.

They also carry the responsibility of paying more attention to cant, which is not as much an issue with wide flat forends and matching front bags.

I have come to like a ring height that allows me to not touch the comb by slightly canting my head, so that I may also be comfortable with light cheek contact when conditions dictate a change in style.

If conditions are rough, and I see a condition that I feel that I can "run" in, I won't take the time to turn knobs, in order to get my shots off in the time that I guess is available. Under those conditions I handle the stock, including cheeking the comb. Some of my best results have come that way. With better conditions, or when they are rapidly switching, I tend to shoot free with my head up, to better see the flags, when the trigger is pulled. This may give me slightly smaller groups when conditions are good, and reduce the chance of getting caught by a switch when they are rapidly alternating.