Rifle Scopes Lapping

L

lds4mysanity

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Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 12, 2009
51
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Corpus Christi, TEXAS
#1
I have a set of Badger rings on the way ( 30 mm "50 MAX") for my Nightforce to go on my Savage 110 BA. The first mount was done at a local gun shop using Warne rings and he never mentioned anything about lapping and just attached the scope and bore sighted. After 3 shots I noticed the mounts were not holding the scope. The scope was slipping on each shot.

My question is, do I need to be concerned about lapping with the new Badger rings that are on the way?
 
#2
Re: Lapping

Badger rings are high quality and <span style="text-decoration: underline">should not </span>require lapping .... BUT ... what base are you using? Is it being torqued out of straightness by inconsistencies in receiver machining? You can drop $35 on a ground 30mm x 500mm rod rom McMaster-Carr (p/n 6112K74 $35.23) and some lapping compound (4807A24 - 320grit $8.20) and buy yourself some piece of mind. Lapping just enough to ensure >75% contact on both rings should in no way affect the structural integrity of the rings. With the Badgers, like my old machined steel MK4's, you'll probably end up removing the finish and hardly any metal, if any.
 
#3
Re: Lapping

There is seldom any reason to not lap rings as the picatinny rails often are bent. They are possible straigth when produced but when attahced to the croocked gun they become bent.......
So take those 5-10 minutes and lap the mounts.

Håkan
 
#6
Re: Lapping

Interesting, so you prefer to keep the innersurface of the rings intact in case you wanna sell it instead of the outide finnish of the scope........
I value my scopes higher than I value any rings.....

So one thing is for sure, we looks differently into the value betwen the scope and the rings.........

There surely exists straight rails even though there is many months betwen them.
So when you are sure your rail is straight, please take a bar and put some marking paint inside the rings and move the bar a little bit.
If the markingpaint is even on the rings after the bar you don't have to lap it, if the paint is uneven, you have a problem.....

Håkan
 
#7
Re: Lapping

I could not fit my Nightforce 5.5X22X56 into my Badger Max 50's. The rings were just to small. Even with the rings off the rifle. I did a very light lap and they fit VERY snug without scope damage. Just a lot of go a little bit and try, go a little bit and try.
 
#8
Re: Lapping

I lapp everything that I mount,unless it is bad enough to require bedding.You won't ruin the rings by lapping them,unless you try to take off too much material.You are going to get lots of replys from those that do and don't,so read them with an open mind and make your own decision.This is no slight to the ring manufactures,as they work to very tight tolerances.The problem is that every action is not straight,and a crooked action will warp almost any base.A lapping bar kit from Sinclair will have everything you will need and comes with very good instructions.Just my opinion, Pete
 
#10
Re: Lapping

Install the base on your rifle, torque the screws, then use a straightedge (I use the beam of my calipers) to check it for flatness.

Hold it up to the light and you can see any warpage. VERY seldom are they flat.

Not many people do this, then when your rings are lapped to fit this base, the rings are married to this base, for good!

There's no reason a QUALITY set of rings would need lapped if the base was flat and true. If they need it, something is out of spec/true somewhere.

Fix the problem, not the symptom.
 
#11
Re: Lapping

No matter what you say, and no matter if you buy a set of rings for 10000 dollars.
They will sit no more straight than the rail they are mounted on.
And regardless of who manufactured that rail och mounted it, it's likely no straigth and it's very easy to check it with a bar.
But as long as you never check the straigthness you will never see any reason to lap.
So please don't check the straigtness of you rings, cause then you are going to lapp..........

Håkan
 
#12
Re: Lapping

Spuhr...

I don't know if you are disagreeing with me, but we are saying the same thing, I think, just disagreeing on the solution.

I believe the BASE straightness should be corrected by proper bedding/fitting. IF this is done, quality rings will sit true.

If the BASE isn't bedded/fitted flat and true, the RINGS will NEVER line up properly.

I guess if you don't bed the BASE, lapping rings would be better than nothing, but you are still fixing the SYMPTOM, not the true PROBLEM.


Another good solution to this problem would be the Burris Signature rings with the plastic inserts. It will be nice when the patent expires on these and other manufacturer's make some nicer renditions of this idea.
 
#13
Re: Lapping

Scope tubes are never exact, even if the rings and everything else are.

Someone posted above that he couldn't get his NSX to drop into Badger rings. This is more normal then you think. NSX scope tubes are normally larger then 30mm. Most of the time the front half of the tube is a different size then the rear.

On the other hand Leupold are normally always smaller then 30mm with the same difference between the front half and rear half of the tube.

Mount the base. Mount the lower half of the rings, lightly set you scope into the rings. Torque the cross bolts. Now if the scope doesn't rotate or slide front to rear in the lower half of the rings freely, lap the rings. Simple as that. This is the way I do it. Or you don't have to care one way or the other and just mount the scope and go shoot.
 
#14
Re: Lapping

You have four variables. The action, the base, the rings, and the scope. So if you do not lap your rings then you are betting that all four components are perfect. and that all four components are installed perfectly?? Get real.

You are putting a scope on a rifle that costs close to $2,000. And you are thinking about not lapping the rings?? Tom.
 
#15
Re: Lapping

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HOGGHEAD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You have four variables. The action, the base, the rings, and the scope. So if you do not lap your rings then you are betting that all four components are perfect. and that all four components are installed perfectly?? Get real.

You are putting a scope on a rifle that costs close to $2,000. And you are thinking about not lapping the rings?? Tom. </div></div>

I agree. Even if the action, base and rings were perfectly at "spec" you would still see some material removed from lapping them.

People should really see what a set like the Kokopeli Accurizing Kit can show you about your "perfect mount and rings".
 
#17
Re: Lapping

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Buckey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Never lapped any of my Badgers & have never had any ring-marks on my scopes. I torque them to spec & then go shooting!! </div></div>
+8 for the 8 I own now. All have Badger MX50 rings/Badger bases and either Nightforce NXss or USOs mounted. Knock on wood as it goes, but I have never marked a scope nor had one come loose yet. As Buckey said, torque as spec'd and GO!
 
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