I know there's a ton of information here on scope/rings/base mounting but I'm not finding a complete start-to-finish guide that addresses everything - figured I'd find it under a DIY. I understand the 'science' of mounting - pretty simple - but would like your feedback on the 'art.' Advice or links for the FNG would be appreciated (I've mounted a few scopes and they seem fine, but the next one up will be a good rifle/scope combo).
My rifle (AI AE) came with a one-piece base mounted. Should I trust that it's correct or should I examine it with feeler gauges and consider bedding the mount? Can you provide a link on bedding a mount if necessary? What am I looking for in terms of accurate fitting?
As an aside, I see that bases/rails come in different cants but are they typically a standard height? Do you generally rely on your rings for height correction?
Bedding / lapping rings. The consensus seems to be that lapping is out and bedding is in. Not sure I completely understand it, though. Is it basically adding a material inside the rings in order to fill in areas that the rings and scope don't meet properly? Can you provide a link on this and the materials required?
Rings. Badgers and others get good press, but the one-piece units (Nightforce Unimount, AI one-piece mounts) seem to make a lot of sense to me because the rings should be perfectly aligned with one another. Am I wrong?
Is there any magic to the placement/position of the rings? Halfway between the elev/wind knobs and tube angle or as far out on the tube as possible? Which is best?
Ring height. I've reviewed the threads on ring height measurement - got that. The discussion usually has to do with clearance over of the bell housing over the scope. Is there something I should consider regarding cheek weld and medium height rings on an AI, or will I be good with the adjustable height comb?
Should I confirm/dial in mechanical zero first and attempt to mount the scope as close to zero as possible, bore sighting with the barrel or solely rely on the elev/windage adjustments for the zero? I'm asking because I think I've seen rings or bases that allow some adjustment in their position.
Anything else I need to consider?
Thanks much.
My rifle (AI AE) came with a one-piece base mounted. Should I trust that it's correct or should I examine it with feeler gauges and consider bedding the mount? Can you provide a link on bedding a mount if necessary? What am I looking for in terms of accurate fitting?
As an aside, I see that bases/rails come in different cants but are they typically a standard height? Do you generally rely on your rings for height correction?
Bedding / lapping rings. The consensus seems to be that lapping is out and bedding is in. Not sure I completely understand it, though. Is it basically adding a material inside the rings in order to fill in areas that the rings and scope don't meet properly? Can you provide a link on this and the materials required?
Rings. Badgers and others get good press, but the one-piece units (Nightforce Unimount, AI one-piece mounts) seem to make a lot of sense to me because the rings should be perfectly aligned with one another. Am I wrong?
Is there any magic to the placement/position of the rings? Halfway between the elev/wind knobs and tube angle or as far out on the tube as possible? Which is best?
Ring height. I've reviewed the threads on ring height measurement - got that. The discussion usually has to do with clearance over of the bell housing over the scope. Is there something I should consider regarding cheek weld and medium height rings on an AI, or will I be good with the adjustable height comb?
Should I confirm/dial in mechanical zero first and attempt to mount the scope as close to zero as possible, bore sighting with the barrel or solely rely on the elev/windage adjustments for the zero? I'm asking because I think I've seen rings or bases that allow some adjustment in their position.
Anything else I need to consider?
Thanks much.
