Rifle Scopes Questions: Titanium Rings & Other Light Options

[Moadrifter]

Been buying all the standard ring choices, want to see if there is something a little outside the box to save weight without giving up function.

Anybody have any experience with some of the titanium rings? What do you think?

Some of them weigh just under 3 oz all in with bolts/screws. They also have asymmetric tension that is supposed to be easy on the scope and yet get stronger grip with more surface area contact with scope tube. Is this all true?

What are the best options for rings that are as light as possible but must be super sturdy for high end optics on magnum large caliber rifles? Good looks don't hurt either, but come third after function and weight.

 

[jasonk]

Re: Questions: Titanium Rings & Other Light Options

Save your money and just get Seekins Aluminum rings, plenty strong and light too.

 

[Willyz_54]

Re: Questions: Titanium Rings & Other Light Options

I have Nightforce Ultra Lights on my 7wsm. I have only put 50 rounds through it for load development purposes, but the UL's held my Viper PST just fine.

 

[bohem]

Re: Questions: Titanium Rings & Other Light Options

A set of 7075 T6 series AL rings 50% will be lighter while maintaining 90% of the strength for identical design.

I chalk these rings (and all the Ti ring crap) up to marketing fluff. Perhaps the people making them actually believe that they're stronger, but in reality it's not a magic material.

7000 series aluminum is stronger, pound for pound than Titanium is. That means that properly designed parts are stronger for a given weight, when you make them from AL. The reason that Ti is used in aerospace is temperature critical regions and fatigue life. Rifles are not "fatigue dependent" structure at all.

Bottom line, unless you're attracted to those for some other reason than "Titanium super strength", don't waste your money.

 

[mjh30]

Re: Questions: Titanium Rings & Other Light Options

I am using a Murphy Precision ti rings and bases on my f/tr rifle, one of the reasons, was the weight and strength, but also because Cameron made the base 25moa, fit and finish was outstanding, but in saying that my tactical rifles sport Seekins bases and rings.

 

[Moadrifter]

Re: Questions: Titanium Rings & Other Light Options

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bohem</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A set of 7075 T6 series AL rings 50% will be lighter while maintaining 90% of the strength for identical design.

I chalk these rings (and all the Ti ring crap) up to marketing fluff. Perhaps the people making them actually believe that they're stronger, but in reality it's not a magic material.

7000 series aluminum is stronger, pound for pound than Titanium is. That means that properly designed parts are stronger for a given weight, when you make them from AL. The reason that Ti is used in aerospace is temperature critical regions and fatigue life. Rifles are not "fatigue dependent" structure at all.

Bottom line, unless you're attracted to those for some other reason than "Titanium super strength", don't waste your money. </div></div>

Understood - very clear and appreciated (especially with your background). What do you think the best 7075 T6 series AL rings are for a lightweight but super strong high caliber magnum application?

Thanks for clearing things up. I previously understood that while Al-Aly 7000 series can definitely be strong, certain tempers of titanium are even stronger, but apparently that's not the case here. Agreed that the other advantage of longer fatigue life for some tempers of Ti is not a factor at all.

Also, what do you think about asymmetric ring clamping vs conventional two-sided clamping?

 

[bohem]

Re: Questions: Titanium Rings & Other Light Options

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Moadrifter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

Understood - very clear and appreciated (especially with your background). What do you think the best 7075 T6 series AL rings are for a lightweight but super strong high caliber magnum application?

Thanks for clearing things up. I previously understood that while Al-Aly 7000 series can definitely be strong, certain tempers of titanium are even stronger, but apparently that's not the case here. Agreed that the other advantage of longer fatigue life for some tempers of Ti is not a factor at all.

Also, what do you think about asymmetric ring clamping vs conventional two-sided clamping? </div></div>

The most agressive thing I've personally shot is a6lb 300WSM that I mounted a NF 5.5-22x50 on top of, and I used American Rifle Co. rings.

I started at the recommended torque and at the request of the company owner/inventor, started backing the torque down til they slipped. I got to 1/2 the installation instructed torque. IMO, they're the best rings out there for the various features advertised.

The "wrap around" idea of a strap clamp for holding items like this is only new to the firearms industry, in aerospace and custom machinery and high-end racing it's been done this way for decades because it works so well.

 

[Moadrifter]

Re: Questions: Titanium Rings & Other Light Options

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bohem</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Moadrifter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

What do you think the best 7075 T6 series AL rings are for a lightweight but super strong high caliber magnum application?

Also, what do you think about asymmetric ring clamping vs conventional two-sided clamping? </div></div>

The most agressive thing I've personally shot is a6lb 300WSM that I mounted a NF 5.5-22x50 on top of, and I used American Rifle Co. rings.

I started at the recommended torque and at the request of the company owner/inventor, started backing the torque down til they slipped. I got to 1/2 the installation instructed torque. IMO, they're the best rings out there for the various features advertised.

The "wrap around" idea of a strap clamp for holding items like this is only new to the firearms industry, in aerospace and custom machinery and high-end racing it's been done this way for decades because it works so well. </div></div>

Thanks! The ARC M10's look well engineered and as you pointed out the hinged design is said to work very well. Interesting that they went to a single screw to clamp the tube. It's also great that you can tighten the clamp screws without rotating the scope and losing the reticule reference line through the rifle - saves time to mount with less back and forth with the plumb line.

Based on your torque test Sounds like you can recommend the M10s for recoil of 338 LM with a 10.5 lb build with S&B PM II at 38 oz - true? Also, is the I.D. surface of the clamps lapped clean? If yes to both I'll order a pair tomorrow to check them out. FYI - these are $200 per pair and the Ti rings are $250, not too far apart.

Other options so far are Seekins and Spuhr.

 

[buckey]

Re: Questions: Titanium Rings & Other Light Options

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jasonk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Save your money and just get Seekins Aluminum rings, plenty strong and light too. </div></div>


YUUUP!!!!

 

[CopperMach]

Re: Questions: Titanium Rings & Other Light Options

I have read some of your other threads about weight savings on your build, but at some point you have to realize that weight savings can only go so far. Go with tried and true. Seekins rings are the benchmark (atleast on this site, and several others that I have searched) that other rings are measured against. Money does not seem to be the issue with your build, but if I were in your shoes Seekins rings would secure my scope. JMHO.

 

[Moadrifter]

Re: Questions: Titanium Rings & Other Light Options

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CopperMach</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have read some of your other threads about weight savings on your build, but at some point you have to realize that weight savings can only go so far. Go with tried and true. Seekins rings are the benchmark (atleast on this site, and several others that I have searched) that other rings are measured against. Money does not seem to be the issue with your build, but if I were in your shoes Seekins rings would secure my scope. JMHO. </div></div>

Thanks very much for this good advice. Through hide member feedback and some vendor calls I'm getting a better feel for weight vs trusted reliability for a big magnum field carry build. Funny thing is I have a couple of other big magnums including a Wby 460 and never though twice about which rings to use - but then I didn't have access to the knowledge gained here from reading other posts, doing search and then asking questions.

I'm leaning toward buying a few pairs of top rings for different rifles to gain some experience with the options. Will definitely buy a Seekins pair for sure bc as you say that is the standard according to several hide experts - Seekins is the default choice for me at this point. Right now leaning toward also buying a pair of ARC because bohem recommended them, they seem to be engineered really well and represent a great example of the hinged clamping style that is said to be easier on the scope while achieving equal recoil reliability - also want to see if this style turns out to be faster/easier for lining up the scope reticle with plumb line and rifle vertical center line. May also pick up a set of Spuhr for installing on one of my AR10s.

 

[Jackalope33B]

Re: Questions: Titanium Rings & Other Light Options

Its not just their CS its everything about that company!!
Get a set of NF ultralite rings and be done with it.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Moadrifter</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jackalope33B</div><div class="ubbcode-body">FUC* Tactical Rifles!!! I wouldnt buy shit from them crooks! They talk the talk, but dont walk the walk w/ customer service or anything. Ask around, and you will soon find out why they are banned from the Hide. </div></div>

Thanks Jackalope33B. Didn't know Tactical Rifles has poor customer support. This is another reason not to go with the Chimera rings originally asked about in this post - we are off of those rings for sure. Which rings do you recommend? </div></div>