Rifle Scopes Vortex precision matched ring issues

[ncfireman83]

I have two sets of precision matched rings one for a Gen ll pst and one for a strike eagle (I know) pay attention to the post... one is over a 300 WSM and the other a 6.5 CM. Both leveled and torqued per specs yet both since sight in have rotated.... very frustrating to me. Any thoughts as to why? I don’t need to here that you have 200.00 sets of rings... wondering if anyone else has had the same issue out of Vortex rings

 

[HeavyAssault]

Cause dimensional tolerances exist. You got the "worst" of both on the scope tube and rings. Scope tubes at minimal spec and rings at the max spec. Maybe try other scopes in the rings, see what happens. If the new scopes move, I'd definitely get new rings. If the new scopes don't move, maybe consider getting new rings. When I say "get new rings" I'm suggesting you contact Vortex to make your case.

 

[ncfireman83]

Yeah that’s what I’m thinking..... problem is our rifle season starts in 2 days but without getting this resolved no since I’m going till it’s fixed!

 

[HeavyAssault]

Ughh.....yea. You are going to scramble to get this done.

 

[trob]

What torque wrench are you using and how tight did you torque the rings?

 

[Carlos Danger]

Are the rings "bottoming out" when torqued? My only quick fix I can think of would be adding "tape" to the contact surfaces of the rings to add girth. Not a long term fix but maybe get you through?

 

[Superx]

2 sets have rotated and you think they are both defective?

I smell something else defective.

 

[m1match]

I've had probably 5 sets of Seekins or Vortex PMR rings going back over 10 years and have not had issue with them slipping. I had one set that was out of spec on the rail clamp machining and Vortex replace them right away. Have you checked that the ring halves are not in hard contact at the joint? With these rings, if you clamp one side down hard on one side, the ring half can rotate the scope as you torque it down. I tighten one screw on each side and alternate a little at a time between screws alternating between the right and left sides until I get up to the spec torque which I think is around 22 in-lbs. or something close to that. Then I double check that I can see daylight between the top and bottom ring halves at each joint.

 

[jg6.5]

As others have said, I'd double check your torque/installation methods.

If that doesn't solve anything, I'd try the tape method in a "bottom of the 9th" situation to get me through a rifle season. Test fire to see if it appears to be working and cross your fingers - then deal with manufacturer at that point if it truly is an issue. Vortex was good to me the one time I sent something back to them to check out.

 

[XLR308]

If you would post a picture of the two sets in question, specifically a close up of were the ring halves meet to verify if there is any gap between them when tightened.
Also curious if you have lapped the rings at all ?

 

[Carlos Danger]

I guess another option, if you have a micrometer, would be to tighten the rings without the scope, measure the opening, measure the scope tube, and see where you end up.

 

[chevy_man]

I guess another option, if you have a micrometer, would be to tighten the rings without the scope, measure the opening, measure the scope tube, and see where you end up.

A $10 caliper will get close enough for this.

I'd guess it's your installation technique that's lacking, unless you lapped the rings and made them too large (seen this more times than not when guys get a lapping kit).

 

[Deleted member 113831]

Tape

 

[Rob01]

What did you torque the ring caps to?

The Vortex Precision Matched Rings are made for Vortex by Seekins and are excellent quality. I have been using Seekins rings since around 2004 and never had a set loosen or a scope slip.

Where in NC are you?

 

[Steel head]

I suspect something other than the rings.

 

[10ring'r]

When I install my scopes, I use a set of feeler gauges to check and make sure I have equal gaps on both sides of each ring. Each mount/ring will be diff., of coarse, but I usually end up with around .005-.008 worth of gap. I try and stay away from two piece rings and stay with one piece types, just personal pref. on my part. Hope you get it figured out. Mac
ETA: I also take a silver sharpie and make a slippage mark on the scope & ring cap, along with one on my anti-cant device ring cap.

 

[Vodoun daVinci]

I'm running Vortex Precision Matched Rings on my 6.5 CM with Althon Argos BTR. No problemo.

VooDoo

 

[ZEROGUY]

This sounds odd. I use these rings on 3 or 4 rifles and never a problem.


How do you know they rotated?

If you suspect your scope is moving in the rings, paint a witness mark on the scope caps and scope to see if anything has moved after a shooting session.

 

[DownhillFromHere]

I've used nothing but Vortex/Seekins PMR rings since I got started in this foolishness 2.5 years ago. Five sets I think, on 30mm, 35mm, and 34mm tubes. Torqued with Wheeler FAT wrench. Installed/reinstalled quite a few times as I switched stuff around and rotated scopes in and out.

In my experience, tightening the rings to even "finger" tightness makes the scope tube noticeably resistant to movement. None of my centerfire rifles has the recoil of a .300WSM, but this is the first I've ever heard of issues with these rings.

 

[JGottschall]

I have two sets of precision matched rings one for a Gen ll pst and one for a strike eagle (I know) pay attention to the post... one is over a 300 WSM and the other a 6.5 CM. Both leveled and torqued per specs yet both since sight in have rotated.... very frustrating to me. Any thoughts as to why? I don’t need to here that you have 200.00 sets of rings... wondering if anyone else has had the same issue out of Vortex rings

What actions are you putting these on?

 

[n00g7]

Torqued to 20in lbs? Seems highly unlikely if installed correctly.