Steel vs Aluminum rings on bench / varmint gun

[copperking81]

Quality and brand being equal, would you prefer steel or aluminum rings on a target rifle? Not a rifle that you'd be packing into the back forty, but a bench / varmint gun. Any reason you'd choose one over the other?

And I get that with modern manufacturing and materials, there probably isn't much of a difference but, I'm curious what others think.

It's a sleepy Sunday morning in the midst of Coronavirus quarantine so humor me a bit here

 

[linekin]

I use aluminum dovetails as it seems I'm always fighting weight. I miss alot but have never blamed the rings for slippage.

Keith

 

[std7mag]

I have both.
Steels are Warne. Good quality, but a PITA to install. Hold consistant, no slippage.

Aluminium are Vortex Vipers. They are a semi vertical design. Easy to install. Holds scope well while adjusting for eye relief & such. Holds consistant, no slippage.

Have tried Leupold & others. The Vortex are my favorite so far.

 

[BoydAllen]

I prefer aluminum rings because they are lighter and so much easier to lap. I find no advantage to steel rings.

 

[deepwater]

Any rings out there that do not rotate the scope when tightening?

 

[Rob01]

Have used both and as long as they are quality it doesn't matter what they are made of as garbage can be made in steel or aluminum. Some seem to think steel is the only way and all steel are the same. They aren't. Same for aluminum. If you have the base set right there is no need to lap either. I have used Seekins aluminum rings since around 2005 on my match rifles and they have held the scopes solid. I like the slimline look and no nut sticking out. I have also used Badgers, NF, Warne and others and all held the scopes solid. Just buy a quality set of rings and don't stress as much about material.

 

[edwardware]

Given the stress, even transient dynamic shock, that rings withstand during shooting a bench gun, there's no need for steel, and aluminum's mostly wasted too.

Steel rings on a hunting rifle seem like cheap insurance against damage from dropping, but the scope's the weak link there.

For a bench gun that you never drop, I'll bet epoxy/fiber rings would work every bit as well. . .

 

[284winner]

Quality and brand being equal, would you prefer steel or aluminum rings on a target rifle? Not a rifle that you'd be packing into the back forty, but a bench / varmint gun. Any reason you'd choose one over the other?

And I get that with modern manufacturing and materials, there probably isn't much of a difference but, I'm curious what others think.

It's a sleepy Sunday morning in the midst of Coronavirus quarantine so humor me a bit here

Times have certainly changed OR the members and opinions have. I posed the same question years ago on this forum and the responses toward aluminum rings was "don't waste your time". Steel overwhelmingly won the discussion. Even at that time there were very good quality aluminum rings on the market. I own several sets and have for years. Never been let down using any of them. I only started using them to shave a few ounces then realized they do everything steel rings do. I only use pic rails and tactical rings anymore so I'd say either is extremely strong.

 

[Rob01]

Sometimes it takes the older myths time to die before people realize there was no truth there. The gun world is well known for that.

 

[linebaugh]

Have used both and as long as they are quality it doesn't matter what they are made of as garbage can be made in steel or aluminum. Some seem to think steel is the only way and all steel are the same. They aren't. Same for aluminum. If you have the base set right there is no need to lap either. I have used Seekins aluminum rings since around 2005 on my match rifles and they have held the scopes solid. I like the slimline look and no nut sticking out. I have also used Badgers, NF, Warne and others and all held the scopes solid. Just buy a quality set of rings and don't stress as much about material.

I would disagree with that statement. I just put a set of Seekins (my first) on a custom action with pinned rail and I had to lap them in a fair amount. In setting up a rifle I lap EVERY set of rings on every action and have never found a set up to be perfect. Simple insurance.

 

[Rob01]

Well you do you but I stand by my statement. Never needed to lap when set up right. I haven't lapped in years and never an issue.

 

[linebaugh]

Just some food for thought on the steel rings. I don't care personally if steel or aluminum. 7075 aluminum has a yeild and tensile strength above 70,000 psi which I believe is above mild steel.

That said if your base happens to be aluminum or if your scope is aluminum where exactly is the weakest link?

I prefer to lap aluminum because the anodizing gives a better visual but either are easy enough to lap. In the end I would say that most of the quality offerings will hold up to more than your scope will so use what you like.