Long distance shooting scope setup

[shumishyn]

So just bought a scope with a mount, the rail on the gun is 20 moa, but my scope position seems too high because of the mount...how will this hurt or benefit my long distance elevation range? Sorry if the question seems stupid, I'm new to this, and learning.

Here is a pic:

[strongpoint]

The problem is that you're using an AR-height cantilever mount on what appears to be a bolt-action rifle (including some details there wouldn't hurt, but whatever). This is the wrong tool for what you're trying to accomplish -- AR scope height is standardized and, for various reasons, basically set up at the same height as the iron sights on that type of rifle, which is generally way too high for the requirements of a bolt gun.

Ditch the cantilever mount and switch to rings. Rings come in varying heights; you can check manufacturers' specs against some measurements, or use some basic math, or Google "ring height calculator" (or check the sticky that is, counterintuitively, in the Rimfire Firearms subforum) to figure out what your ideal height is, but basically get the scope as low as you can. I guarantee that "my scope position seems too high" will go away.

[shumishyn]

The problem is that you're using an AR-height cantilever mount on what appears to be a bolt-action rifle (including some details there wouldn't hurt, but whatever). This is the wrong tool for what you're trying to accomplish -- AR scope height is standardized and, for various reasons, basically set up at the same height as the iron sights on that type of rifle, which is generally way too high for the requirements of a bolt gun.

Ditch the cantilever mount and switch to rings. Rings come in varying heights; you can check manufacturers' specs against some measurements or use some basic math (or google "ring height calculator") to figure out what your ideal height is, but basically get the scope as low as you can (see image). I guarantee that "my scope position seems too high" will go away.

Best answer I could wish for, straightforward clear and informative! Thank you!

No further discussion of this thread necessary. Out ring shopping.

[jeremyy]

Pretty much want a rail that's 20moa to mount on the receiver. A 0 moa rail is still good out to 1000yards but if your scope can't adjust for it just need to read the reticle better.

[Unretarded]

Pretty much want a rail that's 20moa to mount on the receiver. A 0 moa rail is still good out to 1000yards but if your scope can't adjust for it just need to read the reticle better.

It is still best to get a 20 moa set a rings for that distance, gets you back in the center more focused part of the glass. My current SWFA scope has 10 moa or so left over at 1000 yards, but will still be getting a 20 moa set.

Which is a shame since I have the titainium night force rings now, I have had more expensive learning experiances before though.


If I shot strictly/mostly at 1000 yards I would get the rings with as close as the moa come up of the cartridge I was shooting to get me as centered as possible in the glass since long range is where you need/want the clarity, not at 100 yards.