scope set-up on a rail

[zap]

I started using rails on my Savage rifles a few years back, so that I could get my scope back farther to make shooting more comfortable for me. They work very well in that regard.

My question is :
How do you all move your lower rings in the rail prior to torquing them down ? Their is always a little back and forth movement in the screw that goes through to secure the lower ring, if you know what I mean.
I have always pushed one ring to the front, torque it down, then pull the other ring towards the back and torque it down.

I have no idea if the way I do this is good or bad or maybe I am thinking too much. I guess the bottom line is that it seems to be working on my target rifle for sure as groups are excellent in that rifle.

Do any of the ring manufacturers specify how to properly secure the lower rings to the base if their is a small amount of back and forth movement in them ?

 

[dmoran]

That is an inherit issue that goes with rings using cross bolts as the center lug and tightener bolt.
I prefer rings that have a machined center lug with side screw clamps (image below):



PS: above are Seekins Precision rings <> www.seekinsprecision.com

 

[Mikemontminy]

Put a little release agent between your rings and scope rail then use epoxy to join the two together. When it sets up it will take away any play you may have between the two. If you have to pull it apart later it should clean up easily because of the release agent. I’ll do the same for the receiver and scope rail.

 

[KY_Windage]

So that they will not move in response to the recoil impulse, you snug them as far forward as possible as you tighten them down.

 

[bluestreakrem]

My question is :
How do you all move your lower rings in the rail prior to torquing them down ? Their is always a little back and forth movement in the screw that goes through to secure the lower ring, if you know what I mean.
I have always pushed one ring to the front, torque it down, then pull the other ring towards the back and torque it down.

Snug BOTH ring bases forward against the Picatinny slot BEFORE cranking down the final torque value. Recoil impulse wants to push the scope toward the muzzle so use both rings to stop this forward movement of inertia. There's no reason to locate the rear ring against a rear shoulder slot. That is counter productive.
I like snugging the ring bases up with about 5-10 in./lbs. on them and then smack to the rear of the base forward to seat them against the forward face of the slot. That is just a gentle smack............. just to seat them well at every contact point on the rail. I check ring center alignment using a solid lapping bar laid in the rings to make sure they are aligned before placing the scope in the rings. If your using quality rings and a one piece Picatinny rail base...........it will not be nessarry to lap the rings and they will return to zero if removed and re-installed.
Use rings that have an integral recoil lug. Through-bolt type rings that use their mounting bolts as recoil lugs against the rail slots.......... are not great rings IMHO.

 

[zap]

Thanks for the replies.