Scope ring height
- Thread starter snowplow
- Start date
Nothing under 1.5” height for an AR especially with a 56mm objective.
Nope. Usually easier to get the scope forward enough with a cantilever mount on an AR. Best to keep the rings/mount completely on the upper and not the handguard.
I went back and forth over this not too long ago. I had a weight budget I was trying to stick to. The one piece nightforce I was looking at weighed 6 oz. The rings I was considering were from American Rifle Company. The rings alone were 6 oz, but very robust. Theoretically, the ARC rings should be stronger because how robust they are, but the Nightforce one piece ensured that everything was lined up properly.
I was thinking that on an aluminum receiver with an aluminum rail and things not always being in spec, the Nightforce was the better way to go.
On an AR, no. Get a good mount and be done with it. A cantilever mount actually makes mounting and setting eye relief better.
And the height is not just about clearance for the objective but comfort for you behind the scope. ARs are different than bolt guns in how you set on the stock for check weld. I had a cheap mount that was like 1.3” height and I had to almost push my face down to get a good sight picture. 1.5” is so much better.
I recently went through this quandary myself. I ended up with 1.5" rings (actually, Vortex 1.46" rings), mainly due to (a) hunting for sale price and (b) my normal preference for having the flexibility of separate rings. A few thoughts:
- As it turns out, the only advantage of rings (for me) on the AR is that I was able to put the attachment for a brass-catcher bag on the rail under the scope. Otherwise, in hindsight, I'd go with a cantilever mount.
- My neck is an arthritic wreck and doesn't bend much. The 1.5" rings are high enough - barely. I wouldn't mind having another quarter inch of height.
- Another perspective: I've tried to shoot @Rob01 's rifles more than once. His scopes are all set too low for me; I can barely set in their eyeboxes at all. So if a 1.5" cantilever is right for him, it's probably a little low for me.
I think this all depends on your bone structure. AR irons are at 1.41 above the rail. In prone, my eye wants to be below that. I have a NF 2.5-10x32 on 1.125 unimount I set up 15 years ago when low was the way, and I still love that setup in prone. Amazingly comfortable. I can shoot it standing but there is a little cheek smoosh involved.
When I have 1.5, it’s ok in seated, standing or kneeling. But in prone, I have to crank my neck. For all around use, for me personally, the AR iron height of 1.41 is just about right, I suppose.
I struggle with this new trend of ever increasing height over bore. Good thing there’s options!
