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Can my scope lightly touch my picatinny rail?

greydarrah

Private
Minuteman
Jul 2, 2012
52
3
61
GA
Just got a Vortex Viper PST (4x16x50) scope for my Noveske and after mounting it, although I thought the front end of the scope wasn't touching my rail, there is one spot that I can't slip a piece of paper through (between the scope and the rail). Is this bad?
 
Re: Can my scope lightly touch my picatinny rail?

Yup, you want a little clearance between the scope and rail. Take a look at the scope flex in this video at around the 3:06 minute mark http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZjP1hjyMeg While the recoil of that 50 is probably a tad more than your Noveske is probably going to produce, you get the idea.
 
Re: Can my scope lightly touch my picatinny rail?

you definitely do not want your scope to touch anywhere but the rings, remove enough of the rail material for clearance and touch up the bare spot or the more expensive route would be to get higher rings.
hope this helps.
 
Re: Can my scope lightly touch my picatinny rail?

My scope barely clears the rail, and it still has a rub mark from flex. So I say "NO" on touching it.
 
Re: Can my scope lightly touch my picatinny rail?

It shouldn't be touching. As previously noted, all rifles will have SOME degree of flex and that flex can and will exert unnecessry force on the scope if it is touching the rail or even if it is REALLY close which is bad no matter how you slice it.
 
Re: Can my scope lightly touch my picatinny rail?

this is what I would do - put packing tape on the scope where it contacts the rings (as a release agent) - use jb weld kwik on the rings to make shaped shims leaving the scope in the rings about 45 minutes - then remove the tape, trim the excess and reset the scope in the rings- I have even done this to put some cant in when using a flat base
 
Re: Can my scope lightly touch my picatinny rail?

I would get new rings/mount to increase the clearance.
 
Re: Can my scope lightly touch my picatinny rail?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: red6actual</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would get new rings/mount to increase the clearance. </div></div>

I agree what rings/mount are you using?
 
Re: Can my scope lightly touch my picatinny rail?

I changed to a Trijicon QD mount. Clearance is now good.

Thanks for all the advice.
 
Re: Can my scope lightly touch my picatinny rail?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: George63</div><div class="ubbcode-body">this is what I would do - put packing tape on the scope where it contacts the rings (as a release agent) - use jb weld kwik on the rings to make shaped shims leaving the scope in the rings about 45 minutes - then remove the tape, trim the excess and reset the scope in the rings- I have even done this to put some cant in when using a flat base </div></div>

Wow that is a good idea. And I was going to spend $250 on a new mount... lol