Rifle Scopes Scope ring lapping???
- Thread starter donshaw
- Start date
Re: Scope ring lapping???
Yes it is worth it 100%. when ya lap the rings it creates a full contact around the scope tube. It saves your tube from having ring mars 99% of the time for one. And it gives ya even pressure around the tube. In stead of just pressure in a couple small areas. It reminds me of like bedding a stock. It will also keep your scope from moving under heavy recoil rifles because of the contact area. Hope im making since here.
Yes it is worth it 100%. when ya lap the rings it creates a full contact around the scope tube. It saves your tube from having ring mars 99% of the time for one. And it gives ya even pressure around the tube. In stead of just pressure in a couple small areas. It reminds me of like bedding a stock. It will also keep your scope from moving under heavy recoil rifles because of the contact area. Hope im making since here.
Re: Scope ring lapping???
Yup, just like DH stated, sometimes a combination of scope base flexion and ring machining can cause uneven tension. Here is a pic of a standard weaver dovetail ring I had mounted. Note that most of the tension was on the outer part of the ring, so if I would have left this ring on it would eventually eat into the scope tube. I did have a small amount of marring though.
By roggom at 2011-12-31
Yup, just like DH stated, sometimes a combination of scope base flexion and ring machining can cause uneven tension. Here is a pic of a standard weaver dovetail ring I had mounted. Note that most of the tension was on the outer part of the ring, so if I would have left this ring on it would eventually eat into the scope tube. I did have a small amount of marring though.
By roggom at 2011-12-31
Re: Scope ring lapping???
Would you lap expensive top end rings like badger and NF?? Or just the lower end rings?
Would you lap expensive top end rings like badger and NF?? Or just the lower end rings?
Re: Scope ring lapping???
The badger,seekins,NF and burris tactical rings i havent seen near the issues with not lapping. I do get lazy sometimes on the higher end rings and have not had any problems with not lapping. It dont hurt to lap them by no means but i feel its not a have to. Now leupold standard rings tally and some of the mid line rings yes i do lap. I have seen some major high low spots on them. So lapping is a big plus with the mid line rings.
The badger,seekins,NF and burris tactical rings i havent seen near the issues with not lapping. I do get lazy sometimes on the higher end rings and have not had any problems with not lapping. It dont hurt to lap them by no means but i feel its not a have to. Now leupold standard rings tally and some of the mid line rings yes i do lap. I have seen some major high low spots on them. So lapping is a big plus with the mid line rings.
Re: Scope ring lapping???
Here is a fine example of the importance of lapping rings.
These are high quality Al. rings that required allot of lapping to get the engagement I felt needed for a 7SWM.
Kinda surprised me.
Kinda glad they were not steel rings. I would be here for another three days or so.
Here is a fine example of the importance of lapping rings.
These are high quality Al. rings that required allot of lapping to get the engagement I felt needed for a 7SWM.
Kinda surprised me.
Kinda glad they were not steel rings. I would be here for another three days or so.
Re: Scope ring lapping???
will lapped steel rings rust underneath where the finish was removed over time?
will lapped steel rings rust underneath where the finish was removed over time?
Re: Scope ring lapping???
Doug S...
If your base would have been properly bedded, you probably would not have seen the result you are experiencing.
If you remove your rings and hold a straight edge on your base and hold it up to the light, I believe you will see your base is warped.
Looks like it is low in the center and slightly twisted (guessing by the wear pattern on the rings).
Also, what torque value did you apply to the top ring screws while you are lapping?
Of course, it would be impossible to get a reliable, even torque value with lapping compound between the ring halves.
Think that through a little.
I don't mean to be argumentative, but without a perfectly flat and unwarped base, you will just ruin a good set of rings by lapping. On many guns (esp. Remmy's) that will require base bedding.
With cheap rings, all bets are off and it may (or may not) be useful.
Doug S...
If your base would have been properly bedded, you probably would not have seen the result you are experiencing.
If you remove your rings and hold a straight edge on your base and hold it up to the light, I believe you will see your base is warped.
Looks like it is low in the center and slightly twisted (guessing by the wear pattern on the rings).
Also, what torque value did you apply to the top ring screws while you are lapping?
Of course, it would be impossible to get a reliable, even torque value with lapping compound between the ring halves.
Think that through a little.
I don't mean to be argumentative, but without a perfectly flat and unwarped base, you will just ruin a good set of rings by lapping. On many guns (esp. Remmy's) that will require base bedding.
With cheap rings, all bets are off and it may (or may not) be useful.
Re: Scope ring lapping???
Why does NightForce say in their manual NOT to lap their Ultralite rings?
Why does NightForce say in their manual NOT to lap their Ultralite rings?
Re: Scope ring lapping???
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jackalope33B</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why does NightForce say in their manual NOT to lap their Ultralite rings? </div></div>
Probably because they are already so thin that you could easily remove too much material and ruin the structural integrity of the ring.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jackalope33B</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why does NightForce say in their manual NOT to lap their Ultralite rings? </div></div>
Probably because they are already so thin that you could easily remove too much material and ruin the structural integrity of the ring.
Re: Scope ring lapping???
How do you know when to stop lapping? If someone told you 80% contact, what reference did that come from? Did you measure your lapping bar was concentric and uniform in diamter before lapping? Are the now lapped rings specific to the rifle/base now?
My 2 cents-I'd use high quality bases and rings, bed the bases on your rifles , and trust the manufacturing tolerances of NF scope tubes, Seekins rings, and Murphy bases are just a tad tighter than one can hope to improve upon with a $30 lapping bar.
How do you know when to stop lapping? If someone told you 80% contact, what reference did that come from? Did you measure your lapping bar was concentric and uniform in diamter before lapping? Are the now lapped rings specific to the rifle/base now?
My 2 cents-I'd use high quality bases and rings, bed the bases on your rifles , and trust the manufacturing tolerances of NF scope tubes, Seekins rings, and Murphy bases are just a tad tighter than one can hope to improve upon with a $30 lapping bar.
Re: Scope ring lapping???
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hellbender</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Doug S...
If your base would have been properly bedded, you probably would not have seen the result you are experiencing.<span style="color: #33CC00">The base is perfectly flush with the action.</span>
If you remove your rings and hold a straight edge on your base and hold it up to the light, I believe you will see your base is warped. <span style="color: #33CC00">Sorry, no warpage.</span>
Looks like it is low in the center and slightly twisted (guessing by the wear pattern on the rings).
Also, what torque value did you apply to the top ring screws while you are lapping? <span style="color: #33CC00">While lapping, it is impossible to apply the same measured torque to the ring caps, however, the rings are rigid ennough as not to flex under the slight ring pressure. This ensures even pressure against the lapping bar and gives a TRUE ROUND end result.</span>
Of course, it would be impossible to get a reliable, even torque value with lapping compound between the ring halves.
Think that through a little.
I don't mean to be argumentative, but without a perfectly flat and unwarped base, you will just ruin a good set of rings by lapping. On many guns (esp. Remmy's) that will require base bedding.<span style="color: #33CC00">I have Surgeon actions with the rail milled as part of the receiver. These still required lapping and showed similar wear patterns on the rings albeit not as much. The end result is this, these rings are now lapped for this action connected to this base connected to this scope. All other factors are mute at this point.</span>With cheap rings, all bets are off and it may (or may not) be useful. </div></div>
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hellbender</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Doug S...
If your base would have been properly bedded, you probably would not have seen the result you are experiencing.<span style="color: #33CC00">The base is perfectly flush with the action.</span>
If you remove your rings and hold a straight edge on your base and hold it up to the light, I believe you will see your base is warped. <span style="color: #33CC00">Sorry, no warpage.</span>
Looks like it is low in the center and slightly twisted (guessing by the wear pattern on the rings).
Also, what torque value did you apply to the top ring screws while you are lapping? <span style="color: #33CC00">While lapping, it is impossible to apply the same measured torque to the ring caps, however, the rings are rigid ennough as not to flex under the slight ring pressure. This ensures even pressure against the lapping bar and gives a TRUE ROUND end result.</span>
Of course, it would be impossible to get a reliable, even torque value with lapping compound between the ring halves.
Think that through a little.
I don't mean to be argumentative, but without a perfectly flat and unwarped base, you will just ruin a good set of rings by lapping. On many guns (esp. Remmy's) that will require base bedding.<span style="color: #33CC00">I have Surgeon actions with the rail milled as part of the receiver. These still required lapping and showed similar wear patterns on the rings albeit not as much. The end result is this, these rings are now lapped for this action connected to this base connected to this scope. All other factors are mute at this point.</span>With cheap rings, all bets are off and it may (or may not) be useful. </div></div>
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