Rifle Scopes Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

[Mr.Maim]

I was wondering if there is anything people do to prevent scope ring marks, like add a miniscule dab of silicone to the top and bottom of their rings before mounting.

Or are ring marks just something that is unpreventable?

Edit to add specifics of my setup:

-The rifle is a DPMS AR-10 variant (I know, I know, it is not a REAL AR-10!).

-The mount is a LaRue LT105, which is a 1-piece cantilever mount with 35mm rings.

-The optic is a Vortex Razor HD 5-20x50 which just arrived today!

-I have a kick-ass Snap-On Techwrench digital torque wrench (TECH1FR240)

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

Purchase high quality rings and bases and the problem is gone. Well that is if you don’t get over eager on the screw torque.

 

[bassani]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

"Because a split second before the torque wrench was applied to the faucet handle, it had been calibrated by top members of the state AND federal Department of Weights and Measures... to be dead on balls accurate! "

 

[RollingThunder51]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

If you are careful to seat the rings on the rail and tighten them to the right torque, you should not in any way mark a quality scope. In all the years I've mounted and dismounted scopes, I have never had a problem.

 

[lazy21]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

best way to prevent ring marks are by not mounting a scope

 

[normbal]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

Lap the rings to get increased contact/surface area, apply even torque.

You may still get some "marks" on the finish, can't be avoided.

What CAN be avoided is selling used stuff to people who expect used stuff to look like NEW stuff but to pay used stuff prices. Just don't entertain those types. Stay in the real world.

FWIW.

 

[okiefired]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

Lapping the rings is another option but usually isnt needed with quality equipment. Some people do it eveytime they mount a scope just out of habbit. I personally dont even own a lapping bar although I have used one.

okie

ps.....sorry normbal, you beet me to it.

 

[asbestosglove]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

American Rifle Company markets some rings they say don't mar scope finishes. I want to try some due to their design, not out of concern for the finish, but price, ie: $200, has kept me from it, so far.

AG

 

[slowr1der]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

Burris Signature Zee rings with the inserts do not leave ring marks. It's the way to go if you really want to avoid them.

 

[EventHorizon]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

ARC rings will absolutely not mar or damage your scope. You can get them at much less than $200 at SWFA, EuroOptics and I think now at Brownells.

 

[onyx1357]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

Get good rings and use a fat wrench I do 15 in/lbs on the ring tops

 

[zinny]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

I use the FAT wrench at 15lb everytime. Never had a problem with marks even with more inexpensive rings (burris xtr)

 

[CoryT]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

How about you just leave the rings on? Of course, with all the Krylon, it's hard to find marks even if you do move the rings.

 

[skydiver]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

If your base isn't perfectly flat all the high end rings in the world won't prevent marks unless you lap the rings prior to scope installation.

 

[azimutha]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

Never had a problem with high-quality rings.

 

[Driftwood]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

I haven't had any issues with quality rings. My favorite are Seekins, but I haven't had any problems with Leupold MK4's or Nightforce rings. Torque the screws evenly and to the proper specs you shouldn't have any problems either.

 

[fw707]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

I haven't marked a scope since I started using Seekins bases and rings.

 

[skydiver]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

A quality base and rings along with making sure your action is flat and true will go a long way to ensure no marks on a scope.

 

[Mr.Maim]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

WOW! Thanks for all the responses!

I guess I should have stated that the rifle is a DPMS AR-10 variant (I know, I know, it is not a REAL AR-10!).

The mount is a LaRue LT105, which is a 1-piece cantilever mount with 35mm rings.

The optic is a Vortex Razor HD 5-20x50 which just arrived today!

 

[Driftwood]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

I had a DPMS 308 LRT SASS, I mounted the Leupold Mk4 rings directly on the upper reciever. I put a Leupold Mk4 3.5-10X40 M1 in the rings. I used it for a year, then took the scope off that rifle and put it on my Stiller using a set of Seekins rings for another year of use. I upgraded to one of the new Leupold M5 scopes and sold my MK4, the scope had no ring marks what so ever.

I am a firm believer in quality rings and even torque that is not over done. Still if you get a little "ring shadow" its not the end of the world, If I see a lot it makes me question how the scope was mounted and cared for. If you don't plan on selling it, then it really doesn't matter.

 

[Goot]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

http://www.americanrifle.com/scope_rings/default.asp

 

[Mr.Maim]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mohonri</div><div class="ubbcode-body">http://www.americanrifle.com/scope_rings/default.asp </div></div>

I was looking at those yesterday. Pretty clever engineering. Are yours the two hinge design that criss-cross in the middle or the single hinge design that hinges on one side?

 

[kamonjj]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

Look into the Badger Max 50 rings. I've heard great things about them and am planning to get them for my new HDMR whenever I finally get one.

 

[northern50]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

Quality rings a little scope dope (powdered Rosin) and a little common sense when you are cranking down the screws goes a long way.

 

[77Bronc]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Maelek</div><div class="ubbcode-body">"Because a split second before the torque wrench was applied to the faucet handle, it had been calibrated by top members of the state AND federal Department of Weights and Measures... to be dead on balls accurate! " </div></div>

My son and I were just talking about My Cousin Vinny

 

[thefitter]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Northern50</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Quality rings a little scope dope (powdered Rosin) and a little common sense when you are cranking down the screws goes a long way. </div></div>

Now I know what I was missing...it wasn't the rosin.

High end rings - $300, plus
Kokopeli lapping kit - $150, plus
Blue Loctite - $2, plus
Not paying attention to how ham handed you can be, equals:

Unforgettable mistake you will never forget.

BUY A GOOD TORQUE DRIVER! DON'T BE HAM HANDED!

http://www.cditorque.com/

 

[Kevin1]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

I use a cotton patch. I cut it (smaller than the ring surface so it's not visible) and insert it between the scope and the ring.

 

[Graham]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kevin1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use a cotton patch. I cut it (smaller than the ring surface so it's not visible) and insert it between the scope and the ring. </div></div>Seriously? Or are you joking?

I've never lapped my rings, and I've never marred a scope.

 

[Shiffty]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Lazy21</div><div class="ubbcode-body">best way to prevent ring marks are by not mounting a scope

</div></div>

....and rim shot!

 

[EventHorizon]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mr.Maim</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mohonri</div><div class="ubbcode-body">http://www.americanrifle.com/scope_rings/default.asp </div></div>

I was looking at those yesterday. Pretty clever engineering. Are yours the two hinge design that criss-cross in the middle or the single hinge design that hinges on one side? </div></div>

I have both. The extra value of the criss cross design is to prevent ANY scope roll when tightening the screws. Also, you'll notice there are a lot fewer screws to deal with. The ARC rings just about cover every aspect of what you could want from a set of rings really. I really don't get why anyone would want anything else.

 

[Tripwire]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

Preventing ring marks; which are the result of stressing the scope tube from misalignment of the ring surfaces, and over torquing things exacerbates the problem; are prevented, or at least greatly reduced, by providing a solid and true foundation from the beginning. This translates to most production rifles as the need to bed your one piece base, or lapping the rings on a two piece base. You can fart around bedding a two piece base but it's more than I would bother with since I run all one piece. I do both bedding and lapping and life is good.

 

[Kevin1]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kevin1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use a cotton patch. I cut it (smaller than the ring surface so it's not visible) and insert it between the scope and the ring. </div></div>Seriously? Or are you joking?

I've never lapped my rings, and I've never marred a scope. </div></div>

I’m not joking. I use common sense. It’s not visible and seems to work well. But keep in mind that I’m not very knowledgeable in this area. I don’t have expensive rings and don’t even know what does lapping rings exactly mean. I would be more than happy if you could explain to me what is the problem with using a cleaning cotton patch.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kevin1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I’m not joking. I use common sense. It’s not visible and seems to work well. But keep in mind that I’m not very knowledgeable in this area. I don’t have expensive rings and don’t even know what does lapping rings exactly mean. I would be more than happy if you could explain to me what is the problem with using a cleaning cotton patch.
</div></div>

Bad idea.

Smack that scope real good and see your zero go bye-bye.

To the OP....bolt that scope into it's mount, slap it on and USE THE DAMN THING. If you actually spend any time sending rounds downrange then you will put blemishes on your rig.

Now I can tell you that on my 700, I bedded a Seekins base to the receiver and installed a Falcon Menace into Seekins Rings. About 2K rounds and a LE Sniper School later when I removed the Menace to replace it with my USO SN-3 there were no ring marks at all.

I installed a Razor HD on my AE MkII with a set of Vortex Low Rings. At somewhere over 1K I replaced the rings with Vortex Branded Seekins Rings. Again, no ring marks.

Avoiding rings marks is a combination of the hardness of the scope's coating and quality of the mounting hardware. Cheap rings and cheap scopes will leave you with marks. Quality rings and scope with a dumbass turning the wrench may also leave you with marks. So make sure you don't drop off your expensive rig at the local sporting goods shop for their installation services.

 

[Graham]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tripwire</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Preventing ring marks; which are the result of stressing the scope tube from misalignment of the ring surfaces, and over torquing things exacerbates the problem; are prevented, or at least greatly reduced, by providing a solid and true foundation from the beginning. This translates to most production rifles as the need to bed your one piece base, or lapping the rings on a two piece base. You can fart around bedding a two piece base but it's more than I would bother with since I run all one piece. I do both bedding and lapping and life is good. </div></div>I disagree on all counts:

1) A scope that gets ring marks does not necessarily have its tube 'stressed', whatever that means. I have seen plenty of scope tubes that were 'stressed' enough to freeze the parralax without ever leaving ring marks, and plenty of marked SB tubes that were not functionally affected. 2) Ring marks are not prevented by a 'solid foundation', because that can just as easily contribute to a mis-alignment of the rings. 3) Ring marks are not prevented by a 'true foundation' either, whatever that is, as over-torquing can make marks without any other factors being present. 4) Bedding a one-piece base does not prevent ring marks because it does not affect the alignment of the rings. 5) The necessity of lapping the rings is a function of scope tube diameter, not alignment of the bases. If the bases are not aligned no amount of lapping will fix the problem.

 

[Tripwire]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

Well, you had to come up with something, didn't you.......

 

[madcratebuilder]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

I give rings one or two turns on the lapping bar to eliminate any sharp edges and pay attention to tightening sequence and torque. I don't have ring marks issues.

 

[Graham]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tripwire</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well, you had to come up with something, didn't you....... </div></div>I felt the need to correct your information, as I have done occasionally after you posted bogus generalities that you either made-up out of thin air or pulled out of your backside.

Because you asked: Frankly, after reading your post history I am concerened that not only haven't you got a clue, and that you enjoy being a Troll for the sake of attacking others, but that you also have a personal agenda to try to appear as more of an authority than you are. The first one I don't care about, because you remaining a member here could fix that. But the last two are destructive to the purpose of this site and to its other users.

 

[Mr.Maim]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I installed a Razor HD on my AE MkII with a set of Vortex Low Rings. At somewhere over 1K I replaced the rings with Vortex Branded Seekins Rings. Again, no ring marks.
</div></div>

LoneWolf, can you post a link to the Vortex branded Seekins Rings please? I'd like to pick up a set.
Edit: I found them. Liberty Optics sells them. Shoulda ordered them when I ordered the Razor in the first place...

To everyone else, thanks for the responses! I've got it covered now.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mr.Maim</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
LoneWolf, can you post a link to the Vortex branded Seekins Rings please? I'd like to pick up a set.
Edit: I found them. Liberty Optics sells them. Shoulda ordered them when I ordered the Razor in the first place...</div></div>

The Medium, Medium-High and High are made by Seekins:
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-precision-matched-rings-35mm-riflescope-medium-height

The ones their page with the side nut are NOT made by Seekins.

 

[Mr.Maim]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
The Medium, Medium-High and High are made by Seekins:
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-precision-matched-rings-35mm-riflescope-medium-height

The ones their page with the side nut are NOT made by Seekins. </div></div>


Ahh... I see. THANK YOU. I would have purchased the lesser rings has you not posted. I thank you!

Edit: ...well, those or the American Rifle Company M3 rings, which are just plain cool!

 

[netranger6]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tripwire</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well, you had to come up with something, didn't you....... </div></div>I felt the need to correct your information, as I have done occasionally after you posted bogus generalities that you either made-up out of thin air or pulled out of your backside.

Because you asked: Frankly, after reading your post history I am concerened that not only haven't you got a clue, and that you enjoy being a Troll for the sake of attacking others, but that you also have a personal agenda to try to appear as more of an authority than you are. The first one I don't care about, because you remaining a member here could fix that. But the last two are destructive to the purpose of this site and to its other users. </div></div>

Eloquently put, with restraint I may add.

 

[SCOTTx88]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

Burris Signature rings.

 

[Mr.Maim]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

Nice rig Scottx!

 

[Mr.Maim]

Re: Preventing scope ring marks. Possible?

Okay folks. Thanks for all the sage advice!

I'm going to run my LaRue mount until new rings arrive.


<span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">I just ordered a set of rings from American Rifle Company, Inc.</span></span>

 

[jp_over]

This is an old thread but still lots of good info!

 

[MarinePMI]

Old thread, but same answer. Spuhr.

Secondarily, a true/parallel scope base and M-10 ARC rings.

Either will "prevent" scope ring marks.

 

[Steel head]

ARC M-10 are pretty amazing.

 

[CSX2749]

I have applied electrical tape and trimmed it to fit the bearing sufaces of my rings with a hobby knife for years. It protects the scope and I don't have to worry about the scope moving. No ring marks ever. Good luck.

 

[charnicus]

I’ll second some of the recent mentions. Spuhr and ARC.

 

[pineoak]

Using quality rings/mounts & torque limiters/torque wrench, I've NEVER gotten ring marks. Ever.

$15 rimfire rings... yes.

ARC M10, NF unmount, Spuhr, Seekins rings, Badger unimount... never had any issues with any of these and would recommend any of them.