Lapping Rings?

[fredhorace77]

Got an argument going with a guy. He claims if I buy quality rings and bases, that this will 100% ensure I do Not need to lap the rings.

True or False?
Buying high end bases and rings will ensure 100% that I don't have to lap the rings and or bases to ensure proper alignment and also prevent ring marks.

 

[BoydAllen]

Your friend is wrong. If he had lapped as many rings as I have, there wouldn't have even been a slight disagreement. When one has lapped for a dozen or so cycles, and then cleaned the bottoms of the rings to see where material was being removed, it becomes obvious that one has not been working on two perfectly aligned half cylinders. I would include integral bases in this as well. It seems to me that there is a general tendency to do things like not properly mount scopes, and to try to work up loads for unbedded rifles. You can lead a horse to water....

 

[LHSmith]

False...how does high quality rings help a factory rifle whose tapped holes were drilled out of proper alignment? I believe he has a misconception as to why there is a need to lap rings.

 

[Jay Christopherson]

I always check rings (with a Kokopelli kit) and I've gotten custom rings that are dead on (in a custom action). I still lap them slightly, just to remove the coating on them (when they are coated).

I've never gotten a perfect alignment on a factory action though, even when I know the rings are good. I have yet to run into a factory action with holes that were drilled and tapped in perfect alignment.

EDIT: LHSmith beat me to it.

 

[fredhorace77]

Thanks, that's the answers I've been trying to give him but he still wants to disagree,

 

[John from MN]

Some shooters have extremely strong opinions on lapping.

Most of what I do is similar to what Jay mentioned, just a quick lap to insure everything is GTG.

I try not to push the practice on others. Just not worth the friction.

 

[tenring]

I have lapped the lower rings, but not the uppers. How does one do that?

 

[BoydAllen]

There is more to it than alignment bars can tell you. There is also the matter of where the bar cuts, and where it does not. I prefer to have the bar cut the whole bottom of the rings. I have lapped high end ring/one piece combinations, and built in base/high quality base combinations, and while it is true that all of the custom actions have required much less lapping, when I am installing a scope that costs two grand on up, I want everything as perfect as I can get it. If you talk to Speedy Gonzalez he will tell you that he laps to 50% contact and then beds the rings. If you read Tony Boyer's book, you will see that he spends a lot of ink on scope mounting. Don't take my word for it. Do a little research. On the other hand, if you are involved with one of those "good enough" projects, where other details are handled less perfectly than they might be, because of budget or other reasons, go for it.

Tenring,
Caps tend to self align with the scope tube if they make full contact. I work each cap on the bar by itself until the cut pattern is right. Obviously, if I am doing a budget job using a pair of the old style Weaver rings, I don't lap the steel caps.

 

[Iowa Fox]

Thanks, that's the answers I've been trying to give him but he still wants to disagree,

Just let him gouge up the tube of his high dollar scope with ring marks. Then he can ask himself how they got there.

 

[jimcasey01]

Thanks, that's the answers I've been trying to give him but he still wants to disagree,

Let him disagree. Remember the old saying, you can lead a horse to water, but .......

 

[brokeasajoke]

+ 1 on lapping. If you had a one piece base and rings that was align bored and honed to proper diameter then i could see not lapping.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Another +1 for FALSE.

Ive never had a factory action line up perfectly either. You can spend all the money you want on the nicest custom rings in existence and it wont help. Even after lapping rings you usually wont get 100% perfect scope body contact, but it helps immensely.

The only way to obtain ultimate alignment and nearly perfect ring to scope body contact, is to very slightly "over-lap" your rings and bed the scope in them with a compound like JB Weld. With the bedding method you can also shim the rear ring to create elevation compensation. It takes more time, but it is hands down the best and most effective way to mount a scope IMO. Also eliminates any chance of ring marks (if rings are torqued properly)

 

[dickn52]

Well why not simply lap the things and be done with it. Good rings, ok the rings are good. The alignment is still off. Even if everything lined up perfectly, lap them anyway and put all doubt out of your mind. Save the doubts and lap the rings. You will spend your time doing the other stuff and not have to try and figure this part out later.