I have always used steel rings on my scopes. Mostly leupolds, so I have always lapped my rings. I would like to put some nice alloy rings on my next gun, maybe badger or seekins. With these higher end rings is it still necessary to lap them?
Rifle Scopes lapping alloy rings
- Thread starter Carpdoctor
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Re: lapping alloy rings
The only way to truely know if the rings are parallel and true, is to use a kit to measure them. I use Badger, Seekins, IOR, Leupold, and a few others that I'm missing. Depending on the brand and quality, such as Badger vs Leupold, they have all required lapping and were not true. Some people say not to lap aluminum rings because you can weaken the strength. To me, it is fine, just be cautious how much material you are taking off and check it often for alignment.
The only way to truely know if the rings are parallel and true, is to use a kit to measure them. I use Badger, Seekins, IOR, Leupold, and a few others that I'm missing. Depending on the brand and quality, such as Badger vs Leupold, they have all required lapping and were not true. Some people say not to lap aluminum rings because you can weaken the strength. To me, it is fine, just be cautious how much material you are taking off and check it often for alignment.
Re: lapping alloy rings
I can see this being a Ford Chevy debate type thing. I also have another question. Is it ok to have a steel base with aluminum rings? Or does everything need to match. I have always used steel everything but the new aluminum options seem nice.
I can see this being a Ford Chevy debate type thing. I also have another question. Is it ok to have a steel base with aluminum rings? Or does everything need to match. I have always used steel everything but the new aluminum options seem nice.
Re: lapping alloy rings
Using a steel base and aluminum rings is fine. I run Badger bases with 20moa on most of my bolt rifles and aluminum Seekin rings or steel Badger rings on them. To me, it has made zero difference other than a slight weight difference. Steel is supposed to be stronger than aluminum but I have not seen a real advantage of one vs. the other. All falls down to personal preference to me. If I was shooting a magnum, such as a 338 Lapua or 50, it might be worthwhile to consider running steel products for the extra sense of strength.
Using a steel base and aluminum rings is fine. I run Badger bases with 20moa on most of my bolt rifles and aluminum Seekin rings or steel Badger rings on them. To me, it has made zero difference other than a slight weight difference. Steel is supposed to be stronger than aluminum but I have not seen a real advantage of one vs. the other. All falls down to personal preference to me. If I was shooting a magnum, such as a 338 Lapua or 50, it might be worthwhile to consider running steel products for the extra sense of strength.
Re: lapping alloy rings
I have never bedded a scope base. I assume you put release agent on the action so the base is still removeable.
I have never bedded a scope base. I assume you put release agent on the action so the base is still removeable.
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