Lapping Question

[686 Shooter]

I have never lapped scope rings before but after some research decided to give it a go. I bought a lapping kit and thought I would give it a try on a set of Vortex Professional Series rings. I learned something tonight. The 200 grit lapping compound that comes with the Wheeler kit removes material a little faster than I thought it would.

So now on the front ring I have a .002 gap and on the rear ring I have a .0015 gap. That's not a lot.

So my question is this, is that enough of a gap to use these rings or should I toss these rings and start over? A lot more slowly and carefully this time.

 

[Raythemanroe]

Just buy Burris Signature Zee rings


Ray

 

[Rich S]

The rings dont have to be scrapped. You could bed the scope. You can shim the bottom to restore the gap.

 

[natdscott]

The rings dont have to be scrapped. You could bed the scope. You can shim the bottom to restore the gap.

Bingo.

For heavy recoil rifles, I specifically overlap, then bed the bottom halves ONLY with steel epoxy. It makes it a truly custom-fit ring...just do NOT FORGET to shim the scope up from the bottom with tape, etc., or you stand a chance of getting below centerline.

That would be. Um. "Unfortunate."

 

[JEFFPPC]

I have never lapped scope rings before but after some research decided to give it a go. I bought a lapping kit and thought I would give it a try on a set of Vortex Professional Series rings. I learned something tonight. The 200 grit lapping compound that comes with the Wheeler kit removes material a little faster than I thought it would.

So now on the front ring I have a .002 gap and on the rear ring I have a .0015 gap. That's not a lot.

So my question is this, is that enough of a gap to use these rings or should I toss these rings and start over? A lot more slowly and carefully this time.

Ok, I have my bullet proof vest on, here goes. So why to you feel the need to lap. You mention no compelling problems from what you have always done. The power of advertising. Put 1 layer of masking tape in the bottom of each ring. Tighten the rings. It has a tiny bit of wiggle room, scope will not move within the rings. Or, lap the rings to oversize. Never heard anyone win a match because they lapped the rings or a .2 gun became a .1 gun from it. Monkey see, monkey due and the cash register chimed. Just what I have observed from 45 yrs of competitive shooting. If it aint broke, dont fix it.

 

[boltfluter]

Ok, I have my bullet proof vest on, here goes. So why to you feel the need to lap. You mention no compelling problems from what you have always done. The power of advertising. Put 1 layer of masking tape in the bottom of each ring. Tighten the rings. It has a tiny bit of wiggle room, scope will not move within the rings. Or, lap the rings to oversize. Never heard anyone win a match because they lapped the rings or a .2 gun became a .1 gun from it. Monkey see, monkey due and the cash register chimed. Just what I have observed from 45 yrs of competitive shooting. If it aint broke, dont fix it.

There is usually quite a bit of difference between a production action and a custom with built in rail. If done correctly, lapping will only help as all production rings have a machining tolerance and it is not .000. Just my opinion .

Paul

 

[JEFFPPC]

There is usually quite a bit of difference between a production action and a custom with built in rail. If done correctly, lapping will only help as all production rings have a machining tolerance and it is not .000. Just my opinion .

Paul

Paul, let me ask you a question. If you buy quality rings when you lap them you just took the quality out of the rings. Outside of that, have a good shooting season.

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

On the other hand, the guy who has more Benchrest Hall of Fame points than #2, #3, and #4 put together beds his scopes. From "The Book of Rifle Accuracy":

 

[JEFFPPC]

And if you bed your rings and I bed my rings do you think we will shoot like him? Many things in this game fall under we do it because we can. I bet the majority of points won towards the Hall of Fame were not won with bedded or lapped scope rings. So who have you heard say, If only my rings had been lapped I would have won.List 20 things that puts someone in the Hall of Fame I doubt if lapped rings make the list. This game is famous for monkey see, monkey do. I have spoken with many top shooters in both the short and long range game trying to improve myself, never has lapped rings been mentioned. But heyman, if you belive it,, do it. I do not.

 

[jepp2]

is that enough of a gap to use these rings

I would want more. I don't see any reason why you can't remove some material from the bottom of the top half and top of the bottom half where the screws go through. You are just increasing the clearance.

I have found it necessary to lap Leupold rings (except for the Mark 2 IMS) to avoid leaving ring marks when torqued under the max and properly aligned. I have not found it necessary to lap Warne rings (vertical split style).

I only go for about 25% lapped contact that shows material removal. That is enough to avoid ring marks for me.

I will show an example of the bottom half of a ring I lapped (and I lap both halves). This is slightly more material removal than I usually do, and there is much better alignment than I usually find.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I would want more. I don't see any reason why you can't remove some material from the bottom of the top half and top of the bottom half where the screws go through. You are just increasing the clearance.

I have found it necessary to lap Leupold rings (except for the Mark 2 IMS) to avoid leaving ring marks when torqued under the max and properly aligned. I have not found it necessary to lap Warne rings (vertical split style).

I only go for about 25% lapped contact that shows material removal. That is enough to avoid ring marks for me.

I will show an example of the bottom half of a ring I lapped (and I lap both halves). This is slightly more material removal than I usually do, and there is much better alignment than I usually find.

View attachment 1117574

I believe your increasing the clearance on the whole inner circumference of the rings. Not my idea of what I want to do.

 

[Brians356]

On the other hand, the guy who has more Benchrest Hall of Fame points than #2, #3, and #4 put together beds his scopes. From "The Book of Rifle Accuracy":

One minor nit I would pick: For mixing two-part epoxy for any application, I avoid mixing directly somewhat absorbent material like cardboard. I first cover the cardboard with a layer of common wide packaging tape.
-

 

[fyrewall]

I lap my Ruger investment cast rings so the rings won't chew up my nice scopes.

 

[338 dude]

Ok, I have my bullet proof vest on, here goes. So why to you feel the need to lap. You mention no compelling problems from what you have always done. The power of advertising. Put 1 layer of masking tape in the bottom of each ring. Tighten the rings. It has a tiny bit of wiggle room, scope will not move within the rings. Or, lap the rings to oversize. Never heard anyone win a match because they lapped the rings or a .2 gun became a .1 gun from it. Monkey see, monkey due and the cash register chimed. Just what I have observed from 45 yrs of competitive shooting. If it aint broke, dont fix it.

When installing nightforce rings it specifically says do not lap.Besides I think all the CNC equipment that nightforce has they can do a much better job than I can do in my shop ,trust the technology