How to Determine Which Rings Are Needed for Scope

It seems there are as many different guns as there are sportsmen, and the number of scope manufacturers is increasing as well. Picking out a scope really comes down to personal choice. Unfortunately, there are as many different sight rings and bases as there are scopes, and the choice of ring is as important as the scope itself. So how do you choose the proper scope ring?

Things You'll Need

  • Work bench
  • Rifle
  • Gun vise
  • Oiled gun cloth
  • Modeling clay
  • Scope
  • Calipers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Ensure that your rifle is unloaded. Open the action and check that there is no ammunition in the rifle.

    • 2

      Place rifle in the gun vise and set it up level on your work bench. Wipe the rifle receiver with a lightly oiled gun cloth.

    • 3

      Make two small balls of modeling clay. Make the balls approximately 2 inches in diameter by rolling the clay in your hands.

    • 4

      Place the balls of clay on the receiver of your rifle. Place one ball on the rear of the receiver where the rear scope ring will mount and the other on the front of the receiver where the front ring will mount.

    • 5

      Set the scope on the balls of clay as if they were scope rings and push it down firmly but gently until the front of the scope bell is just missing the barrel of the rifle. Make sure the scope is level as you push it down.

    • 6

      Remove the scope. Gently remove the clay and, using the caliper, measure the distance between the impression where the scope sat and the impression of the receiver. Write this measurement down, making note of which measurement is the front and rear clay impression. This is the height of the scope ring set that you need. Take these measurements to your favorite gunsmith and get the rings and mounts that most closely match your measurements.