Rings do not mount solidly to base...

[hoax]

First off let me say I'm a bit of a n00b when it comes to optics. I only have one other rifle with a scope and that one bolted together fine.

I recently picked up a Savage 10fp. I also got a Warne 1pc base and Warne 30mm rings. The base bolted up fine, the scope fits in the rings fine, but the darn rings do not bolt correctly to the base. Tightened down all the way they are still loose. I was under the impression while there are different sized scopes all the bases are the same. What the heck is going on?

[metalhead357]

hmmmmm, a lot of views and no answers yet. I'll weigh in lightly.......

First: did you mount the RINGS to the base BEFORE installing the scope? That's the usual~ though some do try to mount the scope to the rings and then the rings to the mount without much success.

Second. Do you have a 30 mm scope? The usual is for a stanadard 1 inch...... but many do buy 30 mm tubed scopes.....

A pic of where its loose might also help, or at least a better description of how/where its loose. Does it move up & down on the base? Side to side? forward and back? All of the above?

[hoax]

Hrmmm, I wonder if the order I torqued the bolts could be to blame.

I tightened it like I would a car wheel, following the star pattern. When I get home I'll try tightening the base mounts first, then the scope.

[wildcard]

Sounds like you may have gotten the dovetail rings that are the wrong size.

What model base and rings did you get?

[hoax]

This is exactly what I bought.

Warne 1pc base

http://www.swfa.com/pc-11551-1775-warne-tactical-1-piece-base.aspx

Warne 30mm rings

http://www.swfa.com/pc-11404-1749-warne-maxima-permanent-attach-30mm-rings.aspx

Super Sniper scope

http://www.swfa.com/pc-4304-231-super-sniper-10x42-30mm-rifle-scope.aspx

[maxicon]

You might have the stainless recoil lugs upside down or switched right to left in the Warne rings. This can prevent the clamp from pulling in all the way.

It's easy to do, because putting them in the wrong way clamps the recoil lugs tightly. When they're installed the right way, the recoil lugs are loose in the rings and wiggle around, even when the side clamp is tight (at least on my Warne Maxima QD rings).

You could also check for this by removing the lugs completely and seeing if the rings clamp tight. If they still don't, you've either got a problem with the ring clamp or the rail dimensions, and should contact either Warne or SWFA about it to see what they say.

With Maxima rings, what you want to do is put them in the right way, mount them loosely on the scope, then position the scope on the base and push both rings fully up against the front of the rail slot, so that both recoil lugs are against the front of the slot. Then, tighten them down on the mount and rings.

The star pattern for tightening is fine, and shouldn't make a difference.

[hoax]

Thanks guys, that was it.

I had to loosen the scope mount screws all the way, then tighten the mount screws.

[maxicon]

Makes sense - tightening the top first on vertically split rings will limit the amount you can pull in the bottom.

[fairfaxjim]

Don't feel bad, that has happened to me with the Warne rings. I got to this too late to help, but knew as soon as I read it what the problem was. They are great rings, but you have to put them together just right.