Rifle Scopes NF 56mm vs 50mm bell clearance

[silentbutdeadly]

I bought a Remington 700 SPS-varmint last week, I pick it up this weekend. I am going to buy a NF 5.5-22x56 for it rather than the 5.5-22x50mm. How important is the 6mm difference between the 50mm and 56mm? As far as scope price I'm pretty sure the 50mm and 56mm is the same price anyway.

Also I am going with with Badger Ord. base and rings. I was planning on getting the std. ht .823 rings (steel). I'm sure someone here has that same configuration, can you tell me if there are clearance issues when installing Butler Creek flip-up scope covers on the 56mm. If I have to I will get the medium ht rings which are .885.

Any opinions on steel vs alloy rings?

Tyia.

Regards,

Rick

 

[Stone842]

Re: NF 56mm vs 50mm bell clearance

Go with the 56mm since the cost is the same.

I have mounted NF 56mm scope with Butler Creek covers using .885 NF ultralite Rings on a SPS Tactical and a 5R. It fits perfectly. You can save a little money using NF rings, the quality is great.

 

[Jeeprider]

Re: NF 56mm vs 50mm bell clearance

The one thing you didn't mention is cheek weld. You want a tight cheek weld if you get the 56 you're going to need higher rings. Food for thought.

 

[wslowik]

Re: NF 56mm vs 50mm bell clearance

Can you use standard height badger rings with the 50mm objective? If so, I would do that. Keep the scope as low as possible.

 

[samnev]

Re: NF 56mm vs 50mm bell clearance

I have Nightforce scopes with both 50mm & 56mm Obj lenses and don't notice any difference in brightness except for about 15 minutes or so at dusk.

 

[Black Majik]

Re: NF 56mm vs 50mm bell clearance

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: wslowik</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Can you use standard height badger rings with the 50mm objective? If so, I would do that. Keep the scope as low as possible. </div></div>

Yes, you can use the .823" Badger standard rings with the 50mm objective, but the bikini covers wont stay on.

Honestly there isn't much difference between the standard and medium badger rings, with the medium .885" the bikini cover stays on.

This is with the Badger rail.

 

[silentbutdeadly]

Re: NF 56mm vs 50mm bell clearance

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Black Majik</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Can you use standard height badger rings with the 50mm objective? If so, I would do that. Keep the scope as low as possible. Yes, you can use the .823" Badger standard rings with the 50mm objective, but the bikini covers wont stay on.

Honestly there isn't much difference between the standard and medium badger rings, with the medium .885" the bikini cover stays on. This is with the Badger rail. </div></div>


I read in another thread that with certain rings the clearance between the NF scope and barrel was so small that BC scope covers wouldn't go on at all, and the NF bikini cover had to be trimmed back on the bottom to clear the barrel, is this what you mean by "bikini cover stays on"?

Thaks for the reply,

Rick

 

[Black Majik]

Re: NF 56mm vs 50mm bell clearance

Rick,

The bikini covers are the covers supplied by Nightforce. However, the Butler creek caps will also clear the SPS Varmint barrel without any modification on the 50mm objective using standard height Badger rings/base.

So,

BC caps works on standard height or medium height Badger rings
NF bikini covers works on medium height, but not on standard height

This is with the Badger base.

Hope this helps.

 

[Lowe Left]

Re: NF 56mm vs 50mm bell clearance

Google Fu...

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1433025&page=1

I have std Badgers on my Crusader, my USO bell is 44mm and Butler creeks BARELY fit. My barrel contour is greater than yours, but read through the link. Measure your sh!t to be exact. Good luck

 

[silentbutdeadly]

Re: NF 56mm vs 50mm bell clearance

Rosie, I google searched this issue prior to posting my question, and already read the sticky that you linked to. My question was more anecdotal in nature. I was sure the scope bell would clear the bbl with std ht rings, but would there be a problem getting a BC scope cover to clear was my question. Seekins answer in the sticky was very helpful, and I was looking for confirmation from those that have the same setup as I am getting. Thank you and Black Majic for the timely info.

Regards,

Rick