Scope moving in rings

[Red Owl]

I never had this problem before. Rem 700 in 30-06. I clamped down the screw as tight as I could and the scope seems to move so accuracy nil. I got thinking about the whole thing. I use 4x fixed power scopes that aren't that expensive. Why not just epoxy glue the scope to the lower rings? You can still take the scope off the rifle- it will just have the rings permanently attached. Putting it back on may create trouble but I've never taken a scope off any of my rifles once mounted.
In any event, I think benchrest shooters might do this- any thoughts appreciated.

 

[DShortt]

I suspect that the rings are bottoming out before they are truly seated on the scope tube, the scope ring screws are not fully threaded or are too long and bottoming out, or the rings are poorly made and need to be checked for both alignment and surface contact with the scope tube.

What rings are you using, how are they constructed and what hardware/screws are you using?

Alignment and surface contact should always be checked anytime a scope is mounted. The simplest way to do this is with a lapping bar and compound of the correct diameter sold it scope mounting kits.

If your scope and rings are so inexpensive that gluing them together with epoxy is an appealing idea then I don't think you're concerned about accuracy enough to worry about proper mounting but accuracy will suffer and you're probably causing yourself all sorts of other problems you haven't identified yet.

 

[STOMP442]

Buy a set of Burris signature rings. No more problems.

 

[wkdickinson]

Buy a set of Burris signature rings. No more problems.

Or Warne.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Stomp442s idea or, put a trip of masking tape on the bottom half of each ring, it will not slip. Easy and cheap. You can put a strip inside the top ring also but I have never found a need for it.

 

[SSL]

Stomp442s idea or, put a trip of masking tape on the bottom half of each ring, it will not slip. Easy and cheap. You can put a strip inside the top ring also but I have never found a need for it.

This ^. Or use the old cloth (not vinyl) electrical tape. Slightly thicker and tacky enough to really grip the scope body. That's what I use. A roll is cheap and will take care of countless scopes!

 

[JEFFPPC]

With masking tape I face the sticky side to the ring.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

I just cut strips of that old fashion construction paper just under the width of the rings and just a little less than the tube circumference. it will compress a little and hold tight, plus no ring marks on the scope tube.

Frank

 

[NorCalMikie]

Won't be needing much so why not use a small piece of aluminum foil?
Couple of "dots" on the bottom ring and the scope won't move. Get TOO THICK and you might end up distorting the tube?

 

[kd4avp]

This ^. Or use the old cloth (not vinyl) electrical tape. Slightly thicker and tacky enough to really grip the scope body. That's what I use. A roll is cheap and will take care of countless scopes!

Yep...some call it finger tape also. Used that to help save my hands when doing brick work as a young man.

 

[Red Owl]

Well I'll try the strips first. I have a traditional muzzleloader with a dovetailed front sight that wasn't all that tight so I put a shim of paper under it and it has been good for years.

 

[SSL]

Well I'll try the strips first. I have a traditional muzzleloader with a dovetailed front sight that wasn't all that tight so I put a shim of paper under it and it has been good for years.

Good thinking on the muzzleloader. A more permanent, and perhaps more secure, fix would be to carefully mark the position of the sight, drive it out and support the barrel. Use a piece of thin scrap leather to protect the finish on the barrel and, using a medium weight ball-peen hammer, carefully tap the edges of the dovetail slot evenly downwards. Go slow and stop when the sight takes effort to drive back into the slot.
Alternatively, you could use a pointed steel punch and make a series of "dimples" on the flat of the dovetail, which will raise the surface of the steel for firmer hold on the sight when re-installed.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Someone turned up at the club once with gaffer tape holding a scope in the rings. I offered him a correctly sized set in exchange. He agreed. I got a set of hard to find 26mm rings which fitted my Colmorgan Bearcat scope, he got a set of 1in which fitted his. Yes - an American company made a scope with a 26mm tube! Go figure.

 

[Red Owl]

I'll have to mik the tube- I never thought of that, I guess- don't assume anything. Thanks.

 

[FNSafari]

This ^. Or use the old cloth (not vinyl) electrical tape. Slightly thicker and tacky enough to really grip the scope body. That's what I use. A roll is cheap and will take care of countless scopes!

Called friction tape years ago. Mailing labels work too.

 

[Red Owl]

Rather than lapping the rings- has anyone just used bedding compound?

 

[Litespeed]

If they are two piece rings and bottom out before clamping the scope securely, why not sand the mating surfaces so they don't bottom out?

 

[gpoldblue]

I never had this problem before. Rem 700 in 30-06. I clamped down the screw as tight as I could and the scope seems to move so accuracy nil. I got thinking about the whole thing. I use 4x fixed power scopes that aren't that expensive. Why not just epoxy glue the scope to the lower rings? You can still take the scope off the rifle- it will just have the rings permanently attached. Putting it back on may create trouble but I've never taken a scope off any of my rifles once mounted.
In any event, I think benchrest shooters might do this- any thoughts appreciated.

My brother and I had the same problem with mounting scopes on his .357 Herret and my Ruger Super Blackhawk. We solved the problem with batter's rosin dusted on the scope body and rings(after cleaning with brake clean)........NO more slippage! I also did the same when I put a scope on my .458 Winchester Mag. Good luck....be safe.

 

[barrelnut50]

I've used RingTrue Tape for years. Works great.

 

[Florida Wally]

Rather than lapping the rings- has anyone just used bedding compound?

I have used caulk, works good.