Scope Height: What to Consider?

[Phil3]

I should be getting back my first bolt action rifle from the gunsmith (simple bedding of Howa 223 barreled action to Bell & Carslon Medalist tactical style stock). I have a Vortex Viper PST 30mm tube 6 - 24 x 50mm scope. I need to get scope rings. My question is not what to buy, but are there any general rules on what best height to position the scope for ease of use and accuracy? As low as possible, a trial fit in my shooting position, or...? Can there be a possibility of the raised bolt and hand hitting the scope tube if the scope was very low?

I will be buying Burris Signature Zee rings with the plastic inserts and they come in three heights. All will fit, the lowest being very close, but is it possible for a scope to be too low?

Thanks.

Phil

 

[M-61]

As low as possible for a number of reasons..... however the bolt handle must clear....your hand can change position but not the bolt handle.
You would like to get a good cheek 'weld' to the stock. I have fired some rifles (not my own) where you cannot get your cheek to touch the stock and get a full sight picture, and I found it a real juggling act to shoot, and the results showed it was far from ideal. That 50mm objective lens will require a higher mount for clearance from the start so the bolt handle clearing the scope should be OK. If you can take a trial look with a few I would suggest the lowest that fits. There are charts for figuring out what fits with what scope but for me they were impossible to follow. There is a load of info written on this subject also as to height of scope vs. line of bore.

 

[tinkerer]

Clear the bolt handle and the barrel is all I worry about. After that its position memory.

Larry
Tinkerer

 

[Clod-NC]

Hi Phil,hi all

Phil,for what it's worth,I have a Vanguard 2 with a 50mm objective scope mounted on it with exactly the Burris rings you mention and mine are High and they're OK;clearance between bottom of scope and top of barrel is ample(about 1cm or .393").I wouldn't know the height difference between high and medium,but high is just ok for mine,comfortable to aim and work....Just my 2 cent.

 

[savageshooter86]

What type of scope base will you have on the rifle for the Zees to ride on?

I had a 20 MOA base and I used medium height and was fine with the same stock you are getting. You really will just have to try them and see. May have to get a cheek riser for cheek weld

 

[JThorsby]

Since you're putting a Vortex scope {Good Choice BTW}, why not use their rings?
Check with Vortex and ask someone there which rings to use to get the scope in the proper position.

 

[Phil3]

Thanks Clod-NC for the dimensions provided. The high rings are .120" taller than the medium rings. It is apparent then, that medium rings should fit, but may be quite close to the barrel with a scope cap.

The scope base is a one piece stainless steel unit (0 MOA) from Murphy Precision. http://www.murphyprecision.com/Products/Item/1240. Slightly longer than a Remington 700 short action base, it has the same heights.

While not particularly fond of the appearance of Burris Signature Zee rings, I can't ignore the plastic inserts and the resulting ability to get a scope closer to POI with reduced internal scope adjustment. As a person who tries hard to keep things in as good a condition as possible, I like that the plastic inserts do not scratch the scope tube.

I may try Vortex and see what they say, but am leaning to the medium height rings. If too low, I will evaluate needed clearance, return the medium rings, and order something higher.

Phil

 

[Clod-NC]

Hi Phil,hi all
Phil ,in the case of a Vortex scope they will surely provide a shade(4")that you should not disregard as it will take the critical part of the scope (as to clearance with barrel )all that length forward,allowing you to put your lens caps easily and safely....Just like on mine,but all the same don't disregard the clearance your bolt will need,I suppose the Vortex is a rather long piece of optics,so check,you'll make it no doubt.Good luck with it anyway.

 

[Ackman]

Don't worry about mounting as low as possible, that's nonsense. Obviously a scope can't be touching the barrel. But correct scope height is having natural alignment when you shoulder the gun. I use only Signature rings and mount a pair, then quickly shoulder the rifle several times with eyes closed and get a good natural cheek weld. If both rings line up perfectly, that's the correct scope height.

 

[SS427]

I like a low mounted scope for hunting where I'm not wearing ear muffs. It can be too low depending on the shape of the stock, but for the most part low is the way to go.

For a rifle where I plan to wear ear muffs I like the scope to be pretty high otherwise the ear muffs interfere with the stock. Again will depend on the shape of the stock and wear the ear muffs rest on your head.

 

[stinnett1981]

I like low as possible. When Target shooting you dont want your head lifted off the stock. I like to have my cheek welded flat to the stock so my line of site is straight down the scope (less movement better score). If the rings are to high then the scope is too high and you will have to lift your head up to see down the scope. Thats just the way I like it...

 

[Phil3]

The rifle is at a gunsmith so can't look at it, but at first glance, it might appear the scope will not fit. But, I think it will. Here is how I arrived at that conclusion.

Front Action Height = 0.000
Scope Rail Height (at front of action) = .340
Burris "clearance" between ring base and rail top = .065
Burris 30mm Signature Zee "Low" Ring Height (base to scope tube bottom) = .180
1/2 Diameter 30mm Scope Tube =.591
Total Height - Top of Action to Centerline of Scope Tube = 1.176

Radius of Scope Objective Cap = 1.300

1.3" is larger than 1.176, so it would appear the scope will not fit, but that assumes the barrel is at the same height as the action. It isn't, but I do believe the top surface of my barrel is in fact lower than the top of the action by at least .124", the minimum clearance needed. And as such, expect the rings to fit. We will see. I should have put a straightedge on the rail top and measured clearance between the ruler and the top of the barrel. That would have made things a lot easier and exact. But alas, the rifle went to a gunsmith before I did that. :-[

From another perspective, I have experienced the ear muffs interference problem with a tight cheek weld. I wish there was some way to better handle that and do not wish to risk my hearing with anything other than the most protection I can get. After firing a 338 Lapua Magnum, with muzzle brake, under a hard canopy, you NEED muffs and earplugs. And don't want to have a compromised scope mounting or cheek weld just to make earmuffs fit.

Phil

 

[savageshooter86]

I'm fairly confident the mediums will fit. I had medium rings on my Sightron 10-50x with sunshade and heavy varmint contour barrel and nothing was touching the barrel. I had a 20MOA base on a Savage action. I think you will be good. As other stated, keep the scope as low as possible. You may have to get a cheek rest to get proper position to the scope