Rifle Scopes Mounting a rifle scope...do you set the scope and rings back on the rail or do you set it far forward?

[want2learn]

I've read several conflicting references regarding this question.

The first book i read specifically advocated setting the scope mount as rearward as possible on the mount.

Recently i found several references stating that the scope rings should be set forward on the mount.

I tend to subscribe to the former but would love to hear from those more knowledgeable than myself.

thank you

 

[Yote Klr]

Please tighten the rings in the forward most position.

 

[Hellbender]

Push rings forward on base.
Scope tries to stay in place while rifle recoils rearward.

 

[want2learn]

go figure...afford me a choice of 2 items and i'll always choose incorrectly.

thank you

 

[Hellbender]

FYI....there are certain exceptions with spring powered air rifles.

 

[FourT6and2]

I've actually never encountered any play between rings/mounts and the pic rail. I understand the benefits of pushing the rings forward on the pic rail slot so they don't move under recoil but I've just never actually found there to be any play to do so.

 

[want2learn]

i was really hoping to blame my inability to shoot tiny groups on the ring/rail interface. now it's all back on my shoulders.

 

[Wiscat]

I force everything forward under tension with my thumb while torquing. This goes for the bases as well; especially on a base with a recoil lug like a tikka.

 

[Dstoenner]

I actually set mine up with both. I push the front mount tight against the front of the slot and tighten down. I then push the rear against the rear of the slot and tighten down. Now the rings are captive for either recoil or heaven forbid a drop.

David

 

[SN13]

I actually set mine up with both. I push the front mount tight against the front of the slot and tighten down. I then push the rear against the rear of the slot and tighten down. Now the rings are captive for either recoil or heaven forbid a drop.

David

I've always done the same. Front ring forward against the rail. Rear ring back against the rail.

There may not be much play between a ring lug and the rail but when we are dealing with minimizing possible changes, I've always done this to prevent a shift either direction. As long as the scope is tight in the rings, there's really no place for the optic to move.

 

[Jack Master]

I've read several conflicting references regarding this question.

The first book i read specifically advocated setting the scope mount as rearward as possible on the mount.

Recently i found several references stating that the scope rings should be set forward on the mount.

I tend to subscribe to the former but would love to hear from those more knowledgeable than myself.

thank you

Can you help define this question a bit more?
Are you asking about where on the rail to position the ring? Ring as far forward or aft, like the further slot?
Or which way to nudge the rings while tightening?
Thanks

 

[want2learn]

Truthfully i wasn't certain how best to mount the rings in the rail to control for recoil

It appears to me now that both actions would be appropriate.....pushing the ring forward in the slot and maintaining that forward pressure while tightening.

 

[hafejd30]

Truthfully i wasn't certain how best to mount the rings in the rail to control for recoil

It appears to me now that both actions would be appropriate.....pushing the ring forward in the slot and maintaining that forward pressure while tightening.

That is what I do. Ring forward towards muzzle on the picatinny while tightening. The one forward, one back works good to. I’ve done it. Only downside is I did it on a picatinny rail that was set up for the “weaver” style. Then pulled the scope to test loads on another rifle. Unfortunately that had a true picatinny rail on it and the rings were set a bit to wide to mount.

 

[Roger Moua]

Hi, I want to know what direction you guys push the scope ring when installing at these position I circle. Do I push the front forward and the back backwards?

 

[hafejd30]

Hi, I want to know what direction you guys push the scope ring when installing at these position I circle. Do I push the front forward and the back backwards?

When you tighten the base of a mount or individual ring push it forward towards the muzzle. The idea being, especially with heavy optics, is the the scope wants to stay in place while the rifle recoils underneath it

Which can cause the ring base to slide forward in the pic rail

 

[supercorndogs]

I force everything forward under tension with my thumb while torquing. This goes for the bases as well; especially on a base with a recoil lug like a tikka.

All the recoil lugs I have seen on bases require them to be pushed toward the rear of the action to make contact with the lug.

Pushing one forward and one back can lead to another problem someone mentioned. The ring spacing not fitting on another picatinney rail.

I have also never seen a picarinny ring that didn't have play in the slot for the lug. If I did I would suspect one of the two was not cut to the correct size.

 

[Rob01]

Hi, I want to know what direction you guys push the scope ring when installing at these position I circle. Do I push the front forward and the back backwards?

Push both rings forward in the slot so they make contact with the base so there is no chance of movement under recoil.