Scope Ring Height, Why is Closer Better?

[minnesotamulisha]

I recently mounted a Bushnell XRS on my rifle. I used the Talley 34mm "High" rings. Now that it is mounted, I see that I should have went with the "Medium" rings.

The setup I am running works just fine, but I see most guys are running their scopes as close to the barrel as they can get. My question is why? What are the benefits to running a scope closer to the barrel?

I ran a search, but the only thing I'm finding is which ring height for a particular scope.

Thanks for any help!

 

[dmoran]

The pro is less possibility of cant
The con is crammed in head position

Comfort succeeds possible cant, in my opinion.
Tight neck muscles can lead to shooter error and increased heart rate.
Scope levels take care of cant.

Having scopes mounted close to the barrel is over-rated - IME
Donovan

 

[dkhunt14]

Low scope height can create other troubles. It will make your cheek closer to stock. I don't like any contact with my stock. As long as the parallax is out of the scope it doesn't matter. A lot of the 1000 yard BR guys have their scope up on high bases. I see some at 3 plus inches up. On heavy guns they have to be high enough to clear the barrel block. Another reason I like them high is heat from the barrel doesn't interfere as much. Matt









I

 

[4xforfun]

+ 1 on both replies above. The only reason I can see having a low mounted scope is for "cheek weld" to the stock on off hand shooting of moving targets. I remember reading somewhere that military snipers rest their face on the stock to help with neck strain. But, those guys may be in position for HOURS at a time!!! And, the scope is up high and they have adjustable cheek pieces to get their head up there. Other than that, no use IMO.

Tod

 

[DRNewcomb]

Scope hight does not matter much as long as the gun is level and you know your range. Shooting small game at estimated ranges it can make a difference.

 

[minnesotamulisha]

Thanks for the info, guys. I am hoping to shoot some PRS type matches this spring, so cheek weld will be a factor.

 

[4xforfun]

Scope hight does not matter much as long as the gun is level and you know your range. Shooting small game at estimated ranges it can make a difference.

A 1/4 inch difference in scope height (1.75 vs 1.5) makes less than 1 inch difference at 1000 yards. I seriously don't call that a difference.

 

[Albany Mountain]

Put it where your eye is going to be if scope will allow.

 

[XTR]

If you don't touch the rifle with your cheek high is better, on the other hand if you like a solid cheek weld, and not a chin weld like you have to do with an AR then lower is better.

Personally I won't put a scope with over a 44mm obj on a hunting rifle, anything more than that and I really want an adjustable cheek on the stock. Shooting positions in PRS I think you are going to want a consistent cheek weld

Keep in mind that's all personal

 

[Jet]

The application will determine how you mount the scope. Your verticle and fore/aft placement are important parts of your setup.

PRS will have you shooting from various positons that introduce different variables. One constant should be your cheek/stock weld on the rifle.

Your position should allow your neck muscles to relax with the rifle supporting the weight of your head. Once you find this position you place your scope at the appropriate height and distance from your eye.

When in a shooting position with your established stock/check weld your eye should naturally align with the scope so you aren't trying to reposition. If you are constantly struggling with your position you will not be able to place the needed attention on ranging, conditions, etc.

Good Shooting

Rich

 

[Syncrowave]

If you take cant out of the picture, assuming your rifle is always plumb/level, having the scope higher actually has the advantage of making the gun (seem to) shoot "flatter" at longer ranges because the LOS of the scope more closely tracks the trajectory of the bullet (downhill).

For all practical purposes, assuming the rifle is fired level/plumb, and assuming you can get a good cheek weld, it's six of one, half a dozen of the other. The one thing I would care about most is being able to have a good, consistent cheek weld. YMMV.

 

[DR1586]

It really depends on what type of shooting you're doing. Most BR guys ar shooting free recoil and want a high scope to help keep the cheek off the gun. Silhouette shooters have used high scopes to allow for a natural neck position when shooting. David Tubb used to use a chin weld as I recall on his silhouette rifle and he had the scope up high.

For something like conventional prone shooting where you see a low position with the shooter in-line behind the rifle, a lower scope can yield a better position.

What really matters is where your eye is when you're in position. That is where your scope needs to be.