Rifle Scopes Scope and barrel gap
- Thread starter Nessal
- Start date
Re: Scope and barrel gap
Not touching.
For me, it depends on the application. I don't subscribe to the "as low as I can get it" book for all scenerios. For hunting applications, I prefer to shoulder the gun with the scope on the upper power and the eyes closed. When you open them, you should be looking through the center. If not, get different rings. Everyone's built different, so you can't paint all with the same brush.
Not touching.
For me, it depends on the application. I don't subscribe to the "as low as I can get it" book for all scenerios. For hunting applications, I prefer to shoulder the gun with the scope on the upper power and the eyes closed. When you open them, you should be looking through the center. If not, get different rings. Everyone's built different, so you can't paint all with the same brush.
Re: Scope and barrel gap
I prefer my optic as low as possible without touching barrel. The less scope offset the better in my opinion. I do however run an adjustable cheekrest so it allows me to correctly set up the rifle for my "chubby cheeks" while giving me the proper eye relief.
I prefer my optic as low as possible without touching barrel. The less scope offset the better in my opinion. I do however run an adjustable cheekrest so it allows me to correctly set up the rifle for my "chubby cheeks" while giving me the proper eye relief.
Re: Scope and barrel gap
I like for the scope to be as close as possible to the barrel. I like a small gap between the butler creek cap and barrel. I have found that with most 50mm scopes and a stock pack this offers a nice cheekweld.
I like for the scope to be as close as possible to the barrel. I like a small gap between the butler creek cap and barrel. I have found that with most 50mm scopes and a stock pack this offers a nice cheekweld.
Re: Scope and barrel gap
Most important is that it is low enough to be able to get a good check rest position. Otherwise the exact height does not matter that much. For me, I like to have it high enough that I can clean with a cloth under the scope and my barrel without removing my optics, but not much higher than that.
Most important is that it is low enough to be able to get a good check rest position. Otherwise the exact height does not matter that much. For me, I like to have it high enough that I can clean with a cloth under the scope and my barrel without removing my optics, but not much higher than that.
Re: Scope and barrel gap
If I can see light I'm happy.
Shoots in the 3's on a great day as it is (usually I shoot MOA or a little better, but its me, not the scope touching):
If I can see light I'm happy.
Shoots in the 3's on a great day as it is (usually I shoot MOA or a little better, but its me, not the scope touching):
Re: Scope and barrel gap
sobrbiker883 ................are those the tall or X-tall ?
Looks as if you like to free float your barrels and scopes
I personally like to keep them as low as possible too.
sobrbiker883 ................are those the tall or X-tall ?
Looks as if you like to free float your barrels and scopes
I personally like to keep them as low as possible too.
Re: Scope and barrel gap
Low as I can go. If this #7 tube weren't fluted, the 5-25's bell would touch...
Low as I can go. If this #7 tube weren't fluted, the 5-25's bell would touch...
Re: Scope and barrel gap
In some cases lower is not always better. Case in point: IOR 3-18x42mm mounted in 35mm TPS Extree Low rings, and an AICS 2.0 stock. If the scope was any lower it would be unusable. The adjustable cheekpiece on the AICS is set at it's lowest position.
But birds could nest under the objective end......
Bob
In some cases lower is not always better. Case in point: IOR 3-18x42mm mounted in 35mm TPS Extree Low rings, and an AICS 2.0 stock. If the scope was any lower it would be unusable. The adjustable cheekpiece on the AICS is set at it's lowest position.
But birds could nest under the objective end......
Bob
Re: Scope and barrel gap
Great point Bob, AICS/AI setups are one of the places that lower isn't always better.
Actually I think they prove more stocks should have higher combs!
Great point Bob, AICS/AI setups are one of the places that lower isn't always better.
Actually I think they prove more stocks should have higher combs!
Re: Scope and barrel gap
Don't forget to put objective diameter into the question.
A 42mm obj in a .84'' high ring will have a bigger gap to the barrel than a 56mm obj in the same ring even though the bore height is the same.
Don't forget to put objective diameter into the question.
A 42mm obj in a .84'' high ring will have a bigger gap to the barrel than a 56mm obj in the same ring even though the bore height is the same.
Re: Scope and barrel gap
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nessal</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What is the optimum spacing between the barrel and the scope? Right now my scope clears the barrel by about .25". I have seen people with less gap and others with more gap. What do you personally prefer?</div></div>
Sounds like you have some high rings on your setup. Most scopes on a bolt rifle can be mounted with a 0.885" center height ring and have enough room for a BC cap.
Mike @ CST
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nessal</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What is the optimum spacing between the barrel and the scope? Right now my scope clears the barrel by about .25". I have seen people with less gap and others with more gap. What do you personally prefer?</div></div>
Sounds like you have some high rings on your setup. Most scopes on a bolt rifle can be mounted with a 0.885" center height ring and have enough room for a BC cap.
Mike @ CST
Re: Scope and barrel gap
+1 to focus on getting good cheek weld first. Provided that is achieved I go as low as possible.
+1 to focus on getting good cheek weld first. Provided that is achieved I go as low as possible.
Re: Scope and barrel gap
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BobinNC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In some cases lower is not always better. Case in point: IOR 3-18x42mm mounted in 35mm TPS Extree Low rings, and an AICS 2.0 stock. If the scope was any lower it would be unusable. The adjustable cheekpiece on the AICS is set at it's lowest position.
But birds could nest under the objective end......
Bob
</div></div>
I have read about people milling the bottom of the cheek piece so it can be adjusted lower. . .
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BobinNC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In some cases lower is not always better. Case in point: IOR 3-18x42mm mounted in 35mm TPS Extree Low rings, and an AICS 2.0 stock. If the scope was any lower it would be unusable. The adjustable cheekpiece on the AICS is set at it's lowest position.
But birds could nest under the objective end......
Bob
</div></div>
I have read about people milling the bottom of the cheek piece so it can be adjusted lower. . .
