Rifle Scopes how much is too much space?

cp3head

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 23, 2010
471
30
Pennsylvania
I recently purchased a nightforce scope and night force 1.00 medium ultra lite rings. Upon mocking up my scope setup, I found that after being installed I have a 5/16 inch gap between my barrel and the bottom of my scope bell. My cheek weld is fine. My question is, should I get the next lower size, 0.885, or should I leave well enough alone? Thanks in advance for any input.
 
Re: how much is too much space?

5/16 isn't too bad. Cheek weld is most important as is knowing your height over bore. If it's comfortable to you, stick with it and shoot the hell out of it.
 
Re: how much is too much space?

Generally with 50mm objectives, lows are great for standard non adjustable stocks and mediums for the stocks with adjustable cheek pieces.

Of course if you have a melon head or really think head gear for cold weather that may change. Maybe if you are in that environment, med and then high respectively would be better.
 
Re: how much is too much space?

If you have a good position now and are comfortable that is the most important consideration. Changing rings will lower the scope height .115" or about 1/8". Aside from the cosmetic change you could use a ballistics program to determine what "calculated" advantage moving the reticle closer to the bore would give you in terms of adjustment at range (longer range.) Of course, by lowering the glass you will have to change your position behing the scope (albeit probably just slightly) and that may or may not effect your comfort level. YMMV