Scope mount quality, $5 vs $250 mounts

[Hamo]

On that note, what about rails? One piece vs two piece? I really feel just looking that one piece is the way to go, but wasn't sure

 

[bobinpa]

I'm a palma shooter... not a lot of experience with scopes other than knockaround farm guns that are no tack drivers.

I'm finally putting together an accurate glass topped rifle, and wondered what kind of quality is required for scope mounts. I see everything from $5 to $250, and really don't know where to start. I've read over a bunch of threads here but no one seems to have an ideal mount other than "not cheap ones". How much do cheap rings really affect your group size?

Whatever you end up getting, ignore all entreaties to "lap your rings."

There are many good brands of rings. For my match rifle I got the rings produced and offered by the maker of the action, Kelbly, and they are perfect. For other rifles I use Burris Signature rings with the plastic inserts. For ARs, I like one piece models from ArmaLite, LaRue and others.

Do get a torque screwdriver and torque down the screws to the ring manufacturer's recommended settings. Do not exceed. That will be something like 40-60 inch pounds for the screws holding the rings to the base and 20-30 inch pounds for the rings holding the scope. Also, try to mount the scope so the rings are not near or adjacent to, the objective bell, the erector assembly (where the adjustment knobs are,) or the power ring and ocular.

Thanks for all your replies!

I'm just wondering why you would avoid lapping the rings... Sure, I figure if they were built right there would be no need to lap, but I can't see the harm in lapping them. Is there a reason not to lap, or a good reason to lap?

This is just my opinion, but in recent years, the quality of rings and bases has greatly improved with the improvement of machining practices..... in other words, years ago there was no such thing as a cnc machined ring. Now that is a lot more common. It takes most of the human error out of the manufacturing process which greatly reduces imperfection which greatly reduces the need to lap rings. I am sure that a lot of guys still lap rings but some of those guys do it only because they always have and it gives them confidence....but it may not be necessary.