When is lapping of a scope ring required? If I get a set of quality rings, is it required to lap the rings?
Rifle Scopes ring lapping
- Thread starter turbohardtop
- Start date
Re: ring lapping
Rarely required. But it is cheap insurance. Were it me I'd lap the rings anyway. Lapping has little to do with the rings themselves, it is more about the overall alignment of the receiver, base(s), and rings. Now with that being said if your rings are larger then 30mm the lapping kits are expensive. Thus I don't lap my larger rings just because I'm to cheap to buy the over-priced lapping kits.
Rarely required. But it is cheap insurance. Were it me I'd lap the rings anyway. Lapping has little to do with the rings themselves, it is more about the overall alignment of the receiver, base(s), and rings. Now with that being said if your rings are larger then 30mm the lapping kits are expensive. Thus I don't lap my larger rings just because I'm to cheap to buy the over-priced lapping kits.
Re: ring lapping
If the scope fits tight or does not drop in to the rings. I know NF UL rings do to the coating tend to fit a little tight but this tends to be a none issue. If you get a good quality set of rings then it is most never.
Mike @ CST
If the scope fits tight or does not drop in to the rings. I know NF UL rings do to the coating tend to fit a little tight but this tends to be a none issue. If you get a good quality set of rings then it is most never.
Mike @ CST
Re: ring lapping
The purpose of lapping rings is to prevent movement of your scope and uneven pressure on your scope. Most high quality rings and scopes fit without problem or movement. Make sure to degrease the scope and rings at contact points, and that torque specifications are correct. Scope alignment and proper mounting is another important factor.
The purpose of lapping rings is to prevent movement of your scope and uneven pressure on your scope. Most high quality rings and scopes fit without problem or movement. Make sure to degrease the scope and rings at contact points, and that torque specifications are correct. Scope alignment and proper mounting is another important factor.
Re: ring lapping
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbohardtop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">When is lapping of a scope ring required? If I get a set of quality rings, is it required to lap the rings? </div></div>
Lapping of the rings is required when, due to some misalignment of the ring/base/receiver system, the rings do not fall in exactly the same plane.
There are two ways to check for this. The first is to buy a set of alignment bars such as these:
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?pr...g-_-ProductFeed
OR
You can do a light lapping which will tell you how much engagement you have on each ring. If the lapping affects less than 75-80% of the ring surface, I'd lap them. But it's your scope. There are plenty of scope rings out there that have never been lapped.
Then again... there are plenty of unexplained mechanical failures that get blamed on scope manufacturers, too. Not to mention those nasty marks left on your scope by crooked rings.
I lap my rings. Lightly or not. All of them get it.
John
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbohardtop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">When is lapping of a scope ring required? If I get a set of quality rings, is it required to lap the rings? </div></div>
Lapping of the rings is required when, due to some misalignment of the ring/base/receiver system, the rings do not fall in exactly the same plane.
There are two ways to check for this. The first is to buy a set of alignment bars such as these:
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?pr...g-_-ProductFeed
OR
You can do a light lapping which will tell you how much engagement you have on each ring. If the lapping affects less than 75-80% of the ring surface, I'd lap them. But it's your scope. There are plenty of scope rings out there that have never been lapped.
Then again... there are plenty of unexplained mechanical failures that get blamed on scope manufacturers, too. Not to mention those nasty marks left on your scope by crooked rings.
I lap my rings. Lightly or not. All of them get it.
John
Re: ring lapping
Don’t lap aluminum rings. The anodizing is what makes them hard. If you cut through it, they are ruined.
Don’t lap aluminum rings. The anodizing is what makes them hard. If you cut through it, they are ruined.
Re: ring lapping
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HuDisCo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Don’t lap aluminum rings. The anodizing is what makes them hard. If you cut through it, they are ruined. </div></div>
Ruined, as in your scope will fall off your rifle, ruined?
Ruined, as in your scope won't hold a zero, ruined?
I don't mean to be a smart ass, I really could be missing something here, but could you please explain how you can "ruin" a solid chunk of aluminum and why the inside of the scope ring needs to be so hard? Honestly, there's so much surface area there, a block of wood would work if it wouldn't rot.
I've been lapping aluminum rings for years. Scopes stay in one place. Scopes hold zero. I hit shit I shoot at. What am I missing here?
John
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HuDisCo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Don’t lap aluminum rings. The anodizing is what makes them hard. If you cut through it, they are ruined. </div></div>
Ruined, as in your scope will fall off your rifle, ruined?
Ruined, as in your scope won't hold a zero, ruined?
I don't mean to be a smart ass, I really could be missing something here, but could you please explain how you can "ruin" a solid chunk of aluminum and why the inside of the scope ring needs to be so hard? Honestly, there's so much surface area there, a block of wood would work if it wouldn't rot.
I've been lapping aluminum rings for years. Scopes stay in one place. Scopes hold zero. I hit shit I shoot at. What am I missing here?
John
Re: ring lapping
I work in a machine shop and know there are various kinds of anodizing. There is also Hard coating. If somthing is hard coated it is difficult to drill. If somthing is anodized it is no different to drill than aluminum. I doubt they use hard coat on Aluminum rings, but I stand to be corrected.
I work in a machine shop and know there are various kinds of anodizing. There is also Hard coating. If somthing is hard coated it is difficult to drill. If somthing is anodized it is no different to drill than aluminum. I doubt they use hard coat on Aluminum rings, but I stand to be corrected.
Re: ring lapping
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jrob300</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HuDisCo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Don’t lap aluminum rings. The anodizing is what makes them hard. If you cut through it, they are ruined. </div></div>
Ruined, as in your scope will fall off your rifle, ruined?
Ruined, as in your scope won't hold a zero, ruined?
I don't mean to be a smart ass, I really could be missing something here, but could you please explain how you can "ruin" a solid chunk of aluminum and why the inside of the scope ring needs to be so hard? Honestly, there's so much surface area there, a block of wood would work if it wouldn't rot.
I've been lapping aluminum rings for years. Scopes stay in one place. Scopes hold zero. I hit shit I shoot at. What am I missing here?
John </div></div>
"Ruined" is probably a very slight over statement; but if they are quality aluminum rings, the hardcoat anodizing may wear your lapping bar.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jrob300</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HuDisCo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Don’t lap aluminum rings. The anodizing is what makes them hard. If you cut through it, they are ruined. </div></div>
Ruined, as in your scope will fall off your rifle, ruined?
Ruined, as in your scope won't hold a zero, ruined?
I don't mean to be a smart ass, I really could be missing something here, but could you please explain how you can "ruin" a solid chunk of aluminum and why the inside of the scope ring needs to be so hard? Honestly, there's so much surface area there, a block of wood would work if it wouldn't rot.
I've been lapping aluminum rings for years. Scopes stay in one place. Scopes hold zero. I hit shit I shoot at. What am I missing here?
John </div></div>
"Ruined" is probably a very slight over statement; but if they are quality aluminum rings, the hardcoat anodizing may wear your lapping bar.
Re: ring lapping
I lap all ring once mounted. It will suprise you how much initial contact is lacking in even premium rings. Is is necessary? Can't say. But I have greater cofidence in more surface area contact and no scope torque.
I lap all ring once mounted. It will suprise you how much initial contact is lacking in even premium rings. Is is necessary? Can't say. But I have greater cofidence in more surface area contact and no scope torque.
Re: ring lapping
I have seen more damage done by lapping that not. The coating doesn't matter that much but we do use hard coat on ours.
When you lap rings you make the inside diameter of the ring larger. Take off the coating on our rings and you have made them .0015-.002 larger in diameter. Larger will always make your scope fall in place easier. This is of course assuming your scope tube is perfectly strait (they aren't) perfectly round (they aren't). When most people lap rings they actually make them worse than they started with. but your scope will fit into them easier because they are larger. sometimes twice the clearance. IF there are high spots in paired rings your base isn't fitting your action as well as it should (tolerances working against you). A human will never be able to make the rings rounder or more perfect than a high quality cnc will.
If it makes you feel better lap them. Otherwise don't
I have seen more damage done by lapping that not. The coating doesn't matter that much but we do use hard coat on ours.
When you lap rings you make the inside diameter of the ring larger. Take off the coating on our rings and you have made them .0015-.002 larger in diameter. Larger will always make your scope fall in place easier. This is of course assuming your scope tube is perfectly strait (they aren't) perfectly round (they aren't). When most people lap rings they actually make them worse than they started with. but your scope will fit into them easier because they are larger. sometimes twice the clearance. IF there are high spots in paired rings your base isn't fitting your action as well as it should (tolerances working against you). A human will never be able to make the rings rounder or more perfect than a high quality cnc will.
If it makes you feel better lap them. Otherwise don't
Re: ring lapping
Perhaps try some rings with felt inserts or self-locating inserts. e.g. Burris Zee, or Sako Optilock. Negates the requirement for lapping altogether.
I have a set of Burris Zee's on my hunting-weight long range rifle, it's taken thrashings on the floor of my land cruiser, in the back of my jet-boat, in the back seat of a helicopter on a turbulent day... It's never needed sighting in since the first time I did it.
Perhaps try some rings with felt inserts or self-locating inserts. e.g. Burris Zee, or Sako Optilock. Negates the requirement for lapping altogether.
I have a set of Burris Zee's on my hunting-weight long range rifle, it's taken thrashings on the floor of my land cruiser, in the back of my jet-boat, in the back seat of a helicopter on a turbulent day... It's never needed sighting in since the first time I did it.
Re: ring lapping
If you are having issues with quality parts, bed the base to the action first. If that doesnt solve the issue then you can do whatever makes you feel good.
I just make sure there is no bind (usually from a crooked base) and mount away. Even on S&B scopes. Never had a ring mark yet with our rings and i dont ever wory about it.
If you are having issues with quality parts, bed the base to the action first. If that doesnt solve the issue then you can do whatever makes you feel good.
I just make sure there is no bind (usually from a crooked base) and mount away. Even on S&B scopes. Never had a ring mark yet with our rings and i dont ever wory about it.
Re: ring lapping
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: heatseekins</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you are having issues with quality parts, bed the base to the action first. If that doesnt solve the issue then you can do whatever makes you feel good. </div></div>
I've never had a problem with Seekins rings on a flat receiver or bedded rail.
The biggest offenders by far were Burris XTR rings which seemed to want to sit at an angle F-R on the rail no matter how I adjusted them. I've had three sets do that. And they're not machined very flat in the scope bearing area. Kind of wavy. Probably got 10% more bearing surface just from taking out the high spots.
I've never had a L-R problem with any ring on a Picatinny. I say this to address Glen's concerns about oversize. I try NOT to lap the sides (if there is a L-R alignment issue you have bad rings or something is not mounted correctly). If you lap the ID oversize, the rings will have to ovalize the scope to keep it from slipping. This is probably a worse condition than the one you fixed by lapping.
John
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: heatseekins</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you are having issues with quality parts, bed the base to the action first. If that doesnt solve the issue then you can do whatever makes you feel good. </div></div>
I've never had a problem with Seekins rings on a flat receiver or bedded rail.
The biggest offenders by far were Burris XTR rings which seemed to want to sit at an angle F-R on the rail no matter how I adjusted them. I've had three sets do that. And they're not machined very flat in the scope bearing area. Kind of wavy. Probably got 10% more bearing surface just from taking out the high spots.
I've never had a L-R problem with any ring on a Picatinny. I say this to address Glen's concerns about oversize. I try NOT to lap the sides (if there is a L-R alignment issue you have bad rings or something is not mounted correctly). If you lap the ID oversize, the rings will have to ovalize the scope to keep it from slipping. This is probably a worse condition than the one you fixed by lapping.
John
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