Picatinny Scope Rail Height Question

[Phil3]

Is there a standard on how high picatinny rails are? I have a rail on my Howa action and even with lowest Burris Signature Zee rings, I need more cheekrise. The scope can go lower, but the only way is without changing the rings is a lower rail, or a smaller diameter scope (not an option). I don't if scope rails come in differing heights. I rarely see any dimensions on rails.

Phil

 

[fredhorace77]

not that ive seen...plus this is a common problem more associated witht he lack of cheek rise in the stock moreso than the height of the rings...I have never understood why gun co.s continue to make such low cheek stocks for scoped rifles...if the gun came with iron sights then i would undestand it better but i have several bolt guns with no iron sights from the factory and the stock is still built for iron sight use...ive never understood why they dont do something about this

 

[Phil3]

I agree. On my rifle, the problem is not too bad, with me needing about .35 - .45" cheek rise, which is probably beyond what a thinner scope rail can do. But still, as you have observed, some of these stock combs are hopelessly too low for scope use, unless the scope is tiny in diameter and its centerline mounted quite low. I have a 50mm objective, with about .30" clearance above barrel, and no way some stocks are high enough to get good cheekweld and sight picture.

Phil

 

[M-61]

I do not think you will find a Picatinny rail that will be thick (high) enough to solve your problem. I have not seen them sold in different heights other than MOA's which does not help you. The name 'Picatinny Rail' carries a very specific set of dimensions so along with the standards for the groves there may be a height (overall) standard number also.


It seems to me that as objective lenses increased in diameter, cheek rise has decreased to where it is gone altogether.

 

[Phil3]

I do not think you will find a Picatinny rail that will be thick (high) enough to solve your problem.

I don't think you understand the problem. The scope is now too high. I am trying to find a rail that is thinner and lower, not thicker.

I have not seen them sold in different heights other than MOA's which does not help you. The name 'Picatinny Rail' carries a very specific set of dimensions so along with the standards for the groves there may be a height (overall) standard number also.

I checked and there are no standard dimensions for rail height that I can find. There are dimensions for all other parts of the rail in cross section and side view, but none include height.

It seems to me that as objective lenses increased in diameter, cheek rise has decreased to where it is gone altogether.

The bigger the objective, the higher the centerline of the scope must be relative to the rest of the gun. This means cheek rise must increase in height, not decrease. Imagine a 6" diameter scope on the gun. Your cheek would have to be pretty high to sight through that!

Phil

 

[M-61]

I understand your question.
You want a lower SCOPE so you have a chance of seeing thru it with your cheek on the stock not bobbing around in the air!
Poor wording on my part,sorry, thinner base thickness I don't think are made.
Years ago big high roll over cheek rests were common.
Today as the scope objective gets bigger....cheek rests have virtually disappeared when you need them the most.

Phil I am with you and have been there....I wind up buying the lowest rings I can get. And the formulae for figuring out the ring height I find impossible to understand so I have bought rings that could have been lower and wind up buying again.

 

[Phil3]

The only base I have found that may be lower is one from Roedale Precision in Germany. The Webshop site is not working right, so can't send a link for the image. I sent them an e-mail asking for height dimensions but have not yet heard back. The one I have is from Murphy Precision.

http://www.murphyprecision.com/Products/Item/1240

I wanted rings that would not mar the 30mm scope tube, so got Burris Signature Zee with plastic inserts, in the lowest height available for that model (medium). No "lows" available. I can calculate the ring height stuff, but the harder part was figuring out where my line of sight would be without the scope mounted. I just had no good idea when holding the gun exactly what height I needed. With the rings purchased and scope on, NOW I know! My cheek needs to be up about .350", which is probably more than I could ever get with a lower rail. So, that probably means I must get the stock comb up a bit.

Phil

 

[farmerjohn]

Try Weaver tactical one piece base. I get mine from SWFA and Natchez. You will have to go to Weaver's web site to get the product #. Most salespeople don't realize they have them so you will have to ask. They are pictinny rails and come in reg and 20 deg. They are thin and work well.JF

 

[hogpatrol]

Here's one possible answer to the too low cheek piece:

http://www.snipercentral.com/karsten.htm

Savage puts this on it's Long Range Hunter series.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

thread is only 12 years old but here goes..... I have a pic rail on my rifle and I am going to use some warne rings/maxima. since the bell and most/half? of the scope body will be fore and aft of the pic rail does it make sense to use a LOW height model? talking approximations here. I don't have time or inclination to measure etc. If it doesn't fit, I will buy medium height. I am adding to this post, my thought process is the pic rail height measurement basically adds to the height above the receiver for the scope ring.... so the low Warne Maxima will have quite a bit more "height" to it than a low.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

thread is only 12 years old but here goes..... I have a pic rail on my rifle and I am going to use some warne rings/maxima. since the bell and most/half? of the scope body will be fore and aft of the pic rail does it make sense to use a LOW height model? talking approximations here. I don't have time or inclination to measure etc. If it doesn't fit, I will buy medium height. I am adding to this post, my thought process is the pic rail height measurement basically adds to the height above the receiver for the scope ring.... so the low Warne Maxima will have quite a bit more "height" to it than a low.

Low generally will work up to at least 42mm depending on barrel contour could even work with bigger. Some scopes have huge eye pieces these days that can cause the power ring to hit the rail.

I have never had the bell hit the rail.

FYI if the gun is a classic stock design with a low comb, a low scope is good. Newer stocks with high straight combs need to be higher like maybe a medium. If you have adjustable comb you might find high more comfortable.