Ring Lapping

[fredhorace77]

I know this is probably elementary for most but thought id put up some pics of rings i have lapped...As you can see in the first picture the rings have been lapped with just a couple passes to show how much of the rings would not be touching...the second picture is after a good lapping and show almost 100% contact on all rings. the rear receiver bottom half is showing just a little area that is not touching but this is where i stop...I usually shoot for 80% or better touching the scope...100% is great but for hunting applications i strive for 80% or better. The 3rd and final picture shows how i lightly relieved that area where the ring halves will meet. I have found that this is also a very important step. I use a dremel tool with a very soft stone wheel to just take a little off. Also don't forget to mark your rings to remember which half goes where. I didn't get a picture of it but I use a small punch to make a slight indention on the side of the rings while the lapping bar is in place. One dot on top and bottom front ring and two dots on top and bottom rear ring. Hope this helps some one..

 

[WayneShaw]

Good illustrations. Keep in mind, the more you lap/remove, the closer the rings will fit together. Some rings have plenty of room, some not so much.

If you get into the not so much issue, bed the rings instead of removing more metal. Same effect.

 

[Tozguy]

Another picture of how lapping will show up a poor ring set up.

Lapping enlarges the rings and ruins any chance that the rings will clamp properly with even pressure around the circumference of the scope. Lapping the rings without bedding afterwards might be making thing worse.

The best results when fixing poor ring fit is to bed the scope. Lapping the rings is necessary to make room for the bedding material.

 

[fredhorace77]

Another picture of how lapping will show up a poor ring set up.

Lapping enlarges the rings and ruins any chance that the rings will clamp properly with even pressure around the circumference of the scope. Lapping the rings without bedding afterwards might be making thing worse.

The best results when fixing poor ring fit is to bed the scope. Lapping the rings is necessary to make room for the bedding material.

I hate to admit this but I know nothing about bedding rings. I have bedded stocks before and would love to hear and or see pics of your procedures you take to get a set of rings bedded. Im very interested in learning this. Thanks so much for the replys.

P.S. I have an idea of what to do but dont want to end up with my scope locked into the rings..any help will be greatly appreciated

 

[Tozguy]

Fred,
It is very similar to bedding an action. In my case I use shoe polish paste for release agent on the scope and sides of the rings. The bedding surface of the rings is left rough from the lapping and is degreased. As you can see from the picture the action is covered to protect it from accidental epoxy drops.
The top halves of the rings are left as is (not lapped nor bedded). It takes very little epoxy. After wiping off any excess epoxy that might be in the way, the top halves of the rings are installed with very light torque on the screws. I use 'Epoxy steel' and let it set overnight.

 

[fredhorace77]

OK. got a couple questions though. why not go ahead and bed the top ring halves also. one other thing. would putting good quality electrical tape between rings and scope be a softer better material. rather than bedding. sorry my questions are so elementary but alot of this is so new to me

 

[Tozguy]

The top half of the rings have a certain amount of float in them by virtue of the screw and hole clearances. They should follow to the position dictated by the bottom half of the rings. Unless they are really bad, I don't see the need to bed them.

The tape idea involves adding a uniform given thickness everywhere which might not be what is needed to provide a stress free bed for the scope. Plus, how would you know what thickness of tape to use?

 

[fredhorace77]

The top half of the rings have a certain amount of float in them by virtue of the screw and hole clearances. They should follow to the position dictated by the bottom half of the rings. Unless they are really bad, I don't see the need to bed them.

The tape idea involves adding a uniform given thickness everywhere which might not be what is needed to provide a stress free bed for the scope. Plus, how would you know what thickness of tape to use?

I understand your post about just bedding the lower ring half...thanks for helping with that...On another note I was discussing this issue with a fellow shooter and the idea of the tape came into play. His thinking was that it was better for the tape to be in place on the upper and lower halves of the rings to give a good gripping action to the scope and the tape would also have some give to it to self form fit to the shape of the ring and the scope tube...He was saying that in his opinion bedding the rings would be too hard of a surface to mount to and it would be really easy to accidently over tighten the rings and actually cause more damage than good ....simply because the surface of the bed material half being too hard. His thought was to lap out just enough to be able to place one layer on top and bottom of the scope tube and leave a gap where the rings close...I hope I have explained this in a manner that you can understand...Im having trouble putting all he told me into words at the moment. His method made sense to me as does your method...I just cant deciede which one it like to try out first...

BTW do you allow the bed material to stay attached to the bottom ring or do you apply release agent to it also...

 

[Tozguy]

Fred,

The bedding material is permanently bonded to the surface that was lapped on the bottom half.

As far as your friend's comments go it is up to you to find your way. I am not selling anything. Good luck.

 

[WayneShaw]

Toz is right. I know it has been done for ever, but adding tape or shims in a ring does nothing but damage the scope. Think about it. That material is there, it doesn't go anywhere and it doesn't displace. So when you tighten the rings, something gives, and it aint the rings.

 

[fredhorace77]

Toz is right. I know it has been done for ever, but adding tape or shims in a ring does nothing but damage the scope. Think about it. That material is there, it doesn't go anywhere and it doesn't displace. So when you tighten the rings, something gives, and it aint the rings.

Good point. thnx for all the help guys. looks like I'm headed to bed my rings for the first time. Ill let you all know how it turns out

 

[fredhorace77]

One other question i have to ask before i start bedding these rings...Do you think Id be any better off to just buy Burris Signature rings and save myself the hassel?

 

[broncman]

Go for the Burris rigs and save your self the trouble.

If I dont use the burris rings, I bed them as well. I use the kiwi clear shoe polish on the scope but use the green gell loctite instead of epoxy. It is a simple squeeze from a tube with no mixing and it is easier to clean up.

Loctite 638 for cylindrical stuff. Collars, bushings etc.

 

[WayneShaw]

Burris rings are very nice. The inserts do wonders.

 

[tunered]

Burris rings are very nice. The inserts do wonders.

And you can use them again and again on any rifle action you choose