Rifle Scopes So I screwed up....

BamaAl

BamaAl

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 26, 2012
2
0
55
Harvest, AL
#1
Ever have one of those moments when you say to yourself "are you really that dang dumb?". Well, I had one today. Earlier this week I decided to lap my leupold QRW rings. Not really sure why. I had just never done it before and wanted to try. That should have been my first clue that this was a bad idea. Anyway, after the deed was done I remounted my Leupold Mark 4 LRT M1. That name alone, and the memory of the pricetag, should have been my second clue that this was a monumentally bad idea. Today my brother-in-law and I go to my shooting club to have some fun and so I can re-zero. I've veen like a kid at Christmas all week waiting to get out there. Guess what? My rifle is shooting all over the target. Oh yeah, did I mention that I also moved the scope back to change the eye relief? Little details people. They're so important in the long run. And "fixing" more than one thing at a time always go so well right? Yeah. Anyway, as I am scratching my head my brother-in-law notices the scope was moved too far back and the front of the scope was resting ever so slightly against the scope base. And after 20 rounds, SCRATCH # 1. So naturally I loosened the screws to move the scope forward a bit and guess what. Some small piece of something horribly abrassive was left in the front ring from lapping. Either that or I just flat runined the rings and left a sharp edge. Let's move on shall we..the scope slides forward...SCRATCH # 2.

At this point I just put everything away and called it a day. The day was getting more depressing by the moment. Not to mention my poor brother in law probably thought my head was going to explode.

Ok, skip ahead. The silver lining here? Obviously I will need another set of rings because these turned on me. Disloyal little bastards. So I'm thinking Leupold Mark 4 rings. Or maybe TPS. The rifle is a 308 and gets used out to 1000 yards. I've never used any rings other the Leupold so I'm curious what other rings people might recommend. Suggestions?
 
#7
Re: So I screwed up....

I just mounted up my Vortex PST 6-24x50 in a set of Badger alloy rings on a Badger base. First time I have used Badger's, very precise set-up. I would suggest Leupold Mark 4's over the QRW's or any of the manufactures mentioned previously.
 
#8
Re: So I screwed up....

The Badgers are pretty wide. Do they need lapping or are they made from one piece of metal and split? I'm thinking I learned my lesson and won't be trying that trick again on expensive rings until I practice that skill a little more.
 
#10
Re: So I screwed up....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ed-G</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Badgers are precisely machined and releaved on the sides of the top piece. Mine lined up perfect on the base and needed no lapping. </div></div>

Did you go with the 4 screw or 6 screw max 50?
 
#12
Re: So I screwed up....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GardDog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Seekins, Badger, US Optics and Nightforce have served me well. </div></div>

Man, I'm sure glad nothing like that ever happened to me. Well that specific event never happened but I got plenty of stories of me screwing up perfectly good equipment trying to make it better. Anyway, the advice above will serve you well.

Hog
 
#13
Re: So I screwed up....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: easternncnative</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Bama- you and I have to be kin. </div></div>

And I am yer cousin . . . .

Sorry dude.

I use Warne rings. Badger & Seekins are never a mistake either.

BMT
 
#14
Re: So I screwed up....

The more I think about it I couldn't have done something that dumb. Nope not me. It just had to be something else and I think I've figured this here thang out. Some anti-gun lefty snuck in my house, opened the safe, took apart the scope mounts, hid something in the front ring, and moved the scope back. Those sneaky little patchouli smelling bastards will do anything to annoy us gun toting, 2nd ammendment defending, bible clinging fanatics. I wonder if baiting the yard with little piles of pot and cookies would keep them out? Hmmmmm....

Anyway, new set of Badger rings ordered. And the lapping tools will get some use on cheap walmart rings and a crud scope until I get that little trick figured out!
 
#16
Re: So I screwed up....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Thud</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There's an old saying a wise man once told me
"If its fixed don't F**k with it" </div></div>

Or the Army Aviation version:

If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is.
 
#17
Re: So I screwed up....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: oldfatguy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So how exactly are the rings you lapped ruined?

OFG </div></div>

Honestly, I'm not sure they are. It may have just been foreign material trapped between the ring and the scope. But they scratched the hell out of the scope and they aren't getting a chance to do it again.
grin.gif
 
#18
Re: So I screwed up....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BamaAl</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Badgers are pretty wide. Do they need lapping or are they made from one piece of metal and split? I'm thinking I learned my lesson and won't be trying that trick again on expensive rings until I practice that skill a little more. </div></div>

Some of the best you can get.
 
#20
Re: So I screwed up....

Get yourself a set of Seekins rings and a torque wrench, follow the torque specs and you're golden. Oh and NO LAPPING required.
 
#22
Re: So I screwed up....

Seekins or badgers shouldn't need lapping if your rail is true. I'd trust both those rings companies to make their rings well enough it isn't needed. However, a slightly askew rail could cause some problems. I like 1 piece deals like nightforce unimpunta for this reason
 
#23
Re: So I screwed up....

OMG I need to buy a new scope if a little scratch makes me shoot different..... (rolleyes). I understand you're upset about a scratched scope but we've all done this once or twice if you've been shooting long enough. A couple scratches aren't going to hurt anything. But if your ring shopping I highly recommend the AADland rings. I love mine and they have three lug locking design that has ZERO movement. If you buy a set you'll know what I mean.

Good luck,
Merritt
 
#24
Re: So I screwed up....

would you mind posting pics of these scratches? Are they THAT bad? Although I stopped caring about scratches and shit like that, it does suck that they were obtained by seemingly innocuous actions. I do need to make it a point to state that I don't try to go out and do this kind of stuff; I like to think I take care of my stuff, but if you're really using it, you're likely abusing it.

It adds character if you get them afield, not abench!
wink.gif


Just joking, by the way...

But do please post pics!
 
#27
Re: So I screwed up....

Good rings should never need lapping. End of story.

If good rings are not lining up or biting into the scope, your rail is tweeked. Get a machinists level and check it front to back and corner to corner. It it is not perfect, toss it and get another, then bed it.
 
#28
Re: So I screwed up....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pinsandpitons</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Seekins... nothing else comes close. </div></div>

As much as I like Seekins rings there are a few that are as good and possibly better.
 
#31
Re: So I screwed up....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bedlam</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Your scope with 2 scratches is ruined. I will buy it for $100. </div></div>

whistle.gif


Nah, It's got a story now.
wink.gif
 
#34
Re: So I screwed up....

Well, ended up getting new badger rings and base. Still not sure exactly why the rings scratched the tube. They look and feel smooth as a baby's butt, and no sharp edges. But the scratch was right about the point the top and bottom half of the ring met. Who knows. Lesson learned though. And a little application of a gunblue touch up pen covered up the scratches enough, even the one about an inch long, that I won't be completely OCD about it.

What can I say...a gunsmith I'm not.
blush.gif


Hey, at least I can laugh at my own stupidity and share them with others. Trust me guys, the longer I'm on this board the more of these stories you'll see. I tend to learn lessons the hard way when it comes to tools. It makes for entertaining stories though.
 
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