Rifle Scopes How close is too close?

[Flint62a1]

I just mounted my vortex on my 308, there is a space between barrel amd the objective but it’s really close . There is a clearance enough to slide a folded piece of paper under it.
My question is, is that ok? How close is too close?
thanks, Kevin

 

[WildBill3/75]

Yes that's fine as long as you don't care about using scope caps.

 

[Rob01]

Yup fine without caps but if you get caps then you will need higher.

 

[Southern Custom]

I had this issue on a Ruger RPR .22. Just shave the bottom of my scope cap thin and it slid into place.

 

[stello1001]

If you can fit a hair under, you are good...

 

[D̷e̷v̷i̷l̷D̷o̷c̷A̷Z̷]

50% will say you are fine. 50% will say you are fucked. The remaining 50% will say I’m bad at math.

Go shoot your rifle. If you have problems then it’s wrong. If you don’t then it’s okay.

 

[308pirate]

Go shoot your rifle. If you have problems then it’s wrong. If you don’t then it’s okay.

LOL so fucking true!

 

[mercervillerental]

50% will say you are fine. 50% will say you are fucked. The remaining 50% will say I’m bad at math.

Wait a minute...something seems off....

 

[Dthomas3523]

Touching is too close.

After that, height is shooter dependent.

 

[Snuby642]

Slapped down low as possible is old school theory, I have that t-shirt.

New consensus seems to be scope hight should not make you crane your head unnaturally especially for longer range times.

I believe too much pressure from face rolling over stock on some of my guns is causing excesive recoil movements high and to the left, not caliber dependent.

I used to be bone thin in the face and don't remember it being as much of a problem but now have to put more pressure on the stock to get my eye centered on those same old guns.

Bore to scope center theory may not overcome actual results of being behind the gun properly as it turns out for me.

Imho

 

[MadDuner]

Slapped down low as possible is old school theory, I have that t-shirt.

New consensus seems to be scope hight should not make you crane your head unnaturally especially for longer range times.

I believe too much pressure from face rolling over stock on some of my guns is causing excesive recoil movements high and to the left, not caliber dependent.

I used to be bone thin in the face and don't remember it being as much of a problem but now have to put more pressure on the stock to get my eye centered on those same old guns.

Bore to scope center theory may not overcome actual results of being behind the gun properly as it turns out for me.

Imho

I’m a “big boned” size guy, and getting comfortable behind the scope is way more important to my shooting than almost anything else.

 

[JGottschall]

The scope may have clearance now but during recoil it may hit the barrel. That is no good for accuracy and is not good for scope. [ Scope flex ] Jeff

 

[Rob01]

Thread not about scope height debate. He just asked about objective clearance.

 

[Snuby642]

Objective clearance is a subjective topic.

 

[Rob01]

No it’s not. Either it’s clear or touching. He just wanted to make sure his scope clearance was fine. Not asking ring height or how to set up the scope.

 

[308pirate]

No it’s not. Either it’s clear or touching. He just wanted to make sure his scope clearance was fine. Not asking ring height or how to set up the scope.

Just enough clearance where a folded piece of paper fits is nowhere near enough for me to be comfortable that there will never be contact.

How's that for an on-topic answer?

 

[MadDuner]

No it’s not. Either it’s clear or touching. He just wanted to make sure his scope clearance was fine. Not asking ring height or how to set up the scope.

For clarification...
The only “correct” response should have been the single word “yes” - with no further responses from anyone else?

 

[Snuby642]

Ok I give.

A folded piece of paper is the defining element of proper scope mounting.

Zig-zag or Top ?

 

[soap11x]

The unofficial rule of thumb is that you need a +-1/8 of an inch clearance. The official answer is "enough clearance for barrel vibrations and natural flex of equipment to not wreck your setup."

 

[Huskerhunter]

Ah yes FOLDED paper. but the weight of the paper needs to be specified.

Also, 8 glasses of water, 10,000 steps and 8 hours of sleep.