Rifle Scopes Will Rings Need Lapping

[LRT]

Does anyone know if the Badger's Ordnance rings generally need lapping? I just received an S&B 3-20x50 PM II/LP/MTC/LT scope. This scope has a 34mm main tube (ocular measurement 50mm, Objective measurement of 57mm.) I ordered the Badger Ordnance scope rings because Larue rings, which I planned to use were too high of a mount for the 34mm at 1.375" from base to center of ring. This is being used on a REM 700P Short Action. I haven't yet located a 34mm lapping tool, so this is a concern.

Thank you.

Best regards,
LRT

 

[fw707]

Lapping rings is a crock of shit.

 

[SWThomas]

If its a one piece base, I wouldn't think it needs lapping.

 

[One-Eyed Jack]

To answer your question, "NO" Badger rings don't need lapping.

 

[oldfatguy]

Badger rings usually do not need to be lapped. More to do with the quality of the base and how straight it is when mounted. If the base is properly bedded, then the rings are GTG. I have two PMII's in Badger rings, neither lapped.

OFG

 

[Maroonfeather]

I've lapped my last several sets of rings, including ARMS, Larue, Armalite and Badger, and they all needed it. Some worse than others. I won't mount a scope without lapping the rings first. Will it kill the scope if you don't lap the rings? No. It can just reduce stresses on the scope body due to pressure points and slight misalignments, and reduces markings on the scope.

 

[okiefired]

I agree w/ MF, I like to lap rings too, just too easy to be sure. If you were'nt going to worry about Larue though, I sure would'nt worry about Badger Ord.

okie

 

[Temp9]

I've lapped my last several sets of rings, including ARMS, Larue, Armalite and Badger, and they all needed it. Some worse than others. I won't mount a scope without lapping the rings first. Will it kill the scope if you don't lap the rings? No. It can just reduce stresses on the scope body due to pressure points and slight misalignments, and reduces markings on the scope.

If your Badger rings needed lapping, I would venture a guess that you don't bed your scope bases.

 

[LRT]

If its a one piece base, I wouldn't think it needs lapping.

Picatinny straight rail two piece rings.

 

[LRT]

If its a one piece base, I wouldn't think it needs lapping.

One piece Picatinny rail

 

[LRT]

To answer your question, "NO" Badger rings don't need lapping.

Thank you for letting me know.

 

[LRT]

Badger rings usually do not need to be lapped. More to do with the quality of the base and how straight it is when mounted. If the base is properly bedded, then the rings are GTG. I have two PMII's in Badger rings, neither lapped.

OFG

Thank you. I will check spacing.

 

[LRT]

I've lapped my last several sets of rings, including ARMS, Larue, Armalite and Badger, and they all needed it. Some worse than others. I won't mount a scope without lapping the rings first. Will it kill the scope if you don't lap the rings? No. It can just reduce stresses on the scope body due to pressure points and slight misalignments, and reduces markings on the scope.

So this another question, if you bed the base will you still lap the rings? If the rings have the correct tolerances I didn't think it was necessary?

 

[LRT]

I agree w/ MF, I like to lap rings too, just too easy to be sure. If you were'nt going to worry about Larue though, I sure would'nt worry about Badger Ord.

okie

Thank you for the confirmation.

 

[LRT]

If your Badger rings needed lapping, I would venture a guess that you don't bed your scope bases.

We do bed the rails if needed and we never had to lap the Larue's.

 

[kennyg]

How do you guys know for sure that the rings don't need to be lapped? Is there a good way to check this?

 

[oldfatguy]

No harm at all to lap, needed or not.

OFG

 

[Maroonfeather]

If your Badger rings needed lapping, I would venture a guess that you don't bed your scope bases.

The Badgers are on my AR-50. The rifle came new with the tall one-piece rail installed. The top of the action is a machined flat surface.

There was no misalignment of the rings, the lapping just took the surface imperfections out of the rings and made a nice flat uniform surface for the scope. I don't understand why there would be any surface imperfections, maybe an imperfect surface treatment is to blame. Regardless, the lapping cleaned it up nicely, and since I already have the tool I'll definitely use it any time I build up something new.

 

[cmh2007]

I have never once lapped a set of rings and never once had a problem with them

 

[LRT]

I have never once lapped a set of rings and never once had a problem with them

Thank you for letting me know

 

[SporterII]

Lap them and see. It will show immediately.
I just lapped my 12th set reciently. NF one piece rail, NF 'low' rings. I knew thy would need a touch up atleaset right off the bat.
Never lapped, never knew.
OH, I knew by placing a level in the rear slot, then the same level in the front.
Stacking tollerances. Nobodys parts all meet like majic.
Lap one and see.

 

[LRT]

Lap them and see. It will show immediately.
I just lapped my 12th set reciently. NF one piece rail, NF 'low' rings. I knew thy would need a touch up atleaset right off the bat.
Never lapped, never knew.
OH, I knew by placing a level in the rear slot, then the same level in the front.
Stacking tollerances. Nobodys parts all meet like majic.
Lap one and see.

I was also looking into to that in case it was needed, but I couldn't find a lapping tool for 34mm rings. I have a Schmidt & Bender that has a 34mm main tube. Field service says, if needed, they will always mill the base first after taking physical & digital measurements of both the top of the receiver and base. Then they will check the the ring's spacing. But again they don't have a 34mm lapping tool. Additionally I don't know if milling the base is the best way to go because a great deal of shooters have been posting that they bed the base. I assume either bedding or milling would be ok provided that too much metal wasn't removed from the base in the milling process. I will try contacting Picatinny Arsenal to get their feed on this as well.

I will also call Badger Ordnance myself to see if they have can advise where I can secure a 34mm lapping tool.

Thank you for your post.

Regards,

- LRT

 

[Doug S]

Kokopelli has 34mm lapping bars, as well as all other sizes.

DougS

 

[EXTREMEPREJUDICE]

I always bed bases, never lap Badger or Seekins rings. With that being said it wil not be detrimental to lap your rings and it is one way to help assure that your scope won't have ring marks (along with properly torqueing) if that is important to you.