Scope ring alignment and lapping

[3DGearGuy]

Hey everyone,

I'm just wondering, for those of you who have mounted a few scopes, how often do you find it necessary to lap the rings? I may be swapping out a scope and figured I'd install the new one right.

While on the subject, without having to buy all the tools, is there anyone in LA or the San Fernando valley that offers precision mounting as a service?

Thank you!


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[Jeff213]

I have never had to lap the rings. I have had to shim the rings before with aluminum can material.

[Carcassonne]

I always lap the rings. Sometimes it just takes a few passes (~5), and other times it may take an hour (Cheapo Chinese junk rings).

I suggest you buy a lapping and alignment set. They are not that much. You can always sell it here or on eBay when you are finished.


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[CouchOperator]

Good rings rarely need to be lapped, but with all things you will have different manufacturer tolerances in both the rings and scope body

[Dago Red]

Most of my rifles I didn't mount rings. I think it also really matters how the rifle is drilled and tapped how accurate it all is done. I did borrow a lapping setup from a friend on a rifle that seemed like the scope wasn't laying happy. Took forever.

Before I spent any money I'd put it all on there and see how it lines up, might be able to use those fancy nikon rings with the inserts (it's been years since I bought rings so maybe there are even cooler setups that solve the issue now)

Red

[waveslayer]

Most good rings don't require lapping. Just buy good rings

My wife thinks I only have 3 guns

[67Cuda]

Buy Warne rings and be done.

[3DGearGuy]

Buy Warne rings and be done.

May I ask what makes Warne rings different than others?


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[KillZone45]

Buy Spuhr and be done.

Fixed it for you.

[Divernhunter]

I did not lap rings for many years.
Then I bought a Nightforce scope and they said must be lapped. I now lap almost all scope rings. I have several high dollar and many high quality rings on my rifles/pistols. The all benefitted from lapping. Some more than others.
I have also done quite a number for friends.

I have high dollar scopes and rings on my 50bmg rifles and they both got lapped and it was a good idea.

Do you have to lap rings---No.
Is it better to lap rings----Yes
Your choice.

[3DGearGuy]

Ok, so I guess here is the better question.... Does anyone have a alignment/lapping kit I could borrow/rent?

I used to have a set of alignment bars in both 1" and 30mm and gave them away in the "pay it forward" thread. Those would come in handy right about now.


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[nickel plate]

Buy Warne rings and be done.

I have two sets of Warne bases and 1" QD rings for a Leupold and Vortex scope. I found no need to lap either set of Warne rings.
Advice to anyone who has a Ruger Mini 14 that came with a set of factory 1" rings and you intend to use them, they must be lapped or be prepared to own a chewed up scope tube.

[Yerman]

I'll lend you a set. I have 30mm, 1", and 35mm. I'll take them to work with me in Burbank. You can pick them up and bring them back to me when you are done. PM me.

No reason to not lap rings. I have Badger base and rings, they required a lot of lapping to get straight. Quality rings need to be lapped too.

[Mute]

Never had to do it. Never had a problem with not doing it.

[Yerman]

The funny thing with lapping or not lapping rings is that you don't know how far they are off until you start lapping them.

Once you start and you see the finish starting to come off the rings in an uneven manner, you quickly realize that they are not perfectly inline and they need to be lapped until all the finish on the inside of the rings is removed.

Anyone that says they don't need to lap rings and never had a problem have never lapped a set of rings they thought were ok then realized they were not in perfect alignment.

There is no possible way that rings that are not one-piece would ever be in perfect alignment right out of the box. There are too many variables in play. We are talking of 0.0001 of an inch here and no set of rings, no matter how good they are, are ever in perfect alignment without lapping.

Now, are you going to have a problem if you don't...probably not. But I guarantee there is not a set of rings out there that would wear perfectly even if you begin lapping them and check the wear pattern.

Lapping is such an easy process that doesn't take much time, I just don't understand why someone would not lap every set of rings they get.