Scope height question. New to long range shooting.

[GunAddict]

I have always heard to mount your scope as close to the bore as possible. Now that I have become interested in long range shooting, I have seen quite a few scopes mounted quite high over the barrel. Is there a reason for this or just an unfortunate result of canted bases and large scopes? Or does it just not matter as much since you are shooting at known distances and the come ups are known in well in advance due to extensive practice?

 

[itchyTF]

I believe there are 2 factors to consider. The height of your eye above the bore (or action) with a normal cheek weld. This is where the scope should be assuming the objective and barrel will have sufficient clearance. The other point is that the higher the scope is above the bore the more error there will be per degree of cant. I don't have the numbers so +/- an inch of height may not make that much difference in a cant error.
IMHO the best approach is find what height is comfortable and eliminate the cant with a scope level.