Lapping Badger Scope Rings Do or Don't?

[keninsb]

OK, so I finally got my customized Thompon Center Venture .308 ( by custom I mean 22" spiral fluted 1" Kreiger barrel, trued action, Muzzle Brake made by Darryl Holland, Badger 20 MOA Scope Rail,Pinned custon recoil lug, Badger Tactical Bolt Knob, etc.). I mounted Badger High rings and did some lapping of the lower rings. The finish on the Badger Rings is bullet proof making it difficult to lap, but I kept at it. Most of the material appeared to be removed from the upper-sides of the lower rings rather than one side or the other or the bottom. it was such a tight fit with the lapper, it took a lot of time, pacience and effort.
Anyway, sorry for the long story. The end result was that (as said before) most of the material was removed from the upper sides. I do think that it made a difference on the contact that the lower scope clamps take on the scope tube, so I think that it is getting a better "bite" without damaging the scope tube.
So here are my questions:
Has anyone else done the scope ring lapping of the Badger Scope Rings?
If so, have you noticed similar results?
And lastly, do most people not lap the Badger Scope Rings?
I did download the installation instructions from Badger HERE but they made no mention of ring lapping.
Any help, tips, input is GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks,
Ken

http://www.hollandguns.com/IMG_2974.jpg

[ArmyMedicMoose]

I lap all my rings

[keninsb]

Thanks AMM!!
Ken

[Iloveguns]

I have not lapped mine but I would like to lap them all. Cant hurt to lap.

[G-forceJunkie]

I lap all rings. I dont care who made them or how accurate they claim to be. As a machinist I know there are always tolerances, and sometimes they stack against you.

[keninsb]

Thanks for the anwers everyone. So do you think that it is normal for the material to be removed from the upper sides of the lower rings rather than the bottom? I have lapped some Leupold rings and they were MUCH easier to lap (the material was removed faster using the same lapping compound). I guess the finish on the Badger rings is much thicker than the Leupolds.
Ken

[vintagearms]

Badgers and most high quality rings will have better finishes. I had my rings lapped and it was the sides of the split ring that took more finish off. Mine were Seekins.

[Divernhunter]

I lapped my Badger rings on my 50BMG and was surprised that they were off as much as they were. Same with the nightforce rings on my other 50mbg. I now just lap all the rings I install. I have not gone back to lap rings on rifles I mounted scopes on befoer I got my lapping kits, 1" and 30mm. But I might if I get bored and it ever starts raining.

[keninsb]

Thanks again guys. Lapping the rings makes total sense. The good news about my experience is that the lapping appeared to take off a fairly equal amount of material at the top ends of the bottom rings, both front and rear. So it looks like the rings were lined up pretty well. Looking back at this project (especially after all of the great input from you guys) I only question if I have taken ENOUGH off of the rings. I think that I have because I took off about 50% of the finish (rather than the recommended 75%) and it seems like a nice, snug fit.
Thanks again to everyone who participated in input on this issue. I am learning a LOT from this forum and thank you all!
Ken

[keninsb]

Ok, so today I lapped some NightForce rings for a GAP rifle and ran into the same situation with the same results. Most of the material removed was from the upper part of the lower rings. The NightForce rings were just as "hard" to lap as the Badger rings. My conclusion (and PLEASE tell me if I am wrong):
Both manufacurers make GREAT rings.
The finish on the rings is very tough, and will require a little extra "elbo grease" to lap".
Regardless, all scope rings should be lapped
I think it was worth it to lap BOTH brands of rings but will admit the material removed was very even on the front ring and rear (with both Badger and NightForce rings) and that from the factory they are pretty darn close to square as long as they are used with good quality scope bases. Just my 2 cents from what I have learned as a "hobby" gunsmith.
Thanks again to everyone with input. You guys ROCK!
Ken