Scope Ring Alignment and Lapping

[462]

I have the opportunity to purchase a new Wheeler 1" scope ring alignment and lapping kit for under $30 delivered.

I've borrowed a friend's and am familiar with how they work and what they do, just don't know how necessary the procedure is.

Opinions?

 

[waco]

I have a similar kit with 30mm stuff. I figure it can't hurt shooting past 500 yards.

 

[Ole_270]

I've got a length of 1" drill rod that I lap with. Some base/ring/ receiver hole combos will scare you with how far out of alignment they are. When really low mount height isn't too much a priority I sometimes use Burris Signature rings. Those plastic self aligning inserts make things simple, and with the offset inserts you can move the scope to center even on heavily mis-aligned receiver holes.

 

[Ian]

I'm a fan of both the lapping kit and the Burris posi-line signature rings.

 

[462]

I figure it can't hurt shooting past 500 yards.

The local range extends to only 200-yards. At one time there were 300, 400 and 500-yard gongs, but it's a long story* why target stands are now at 50, 100 and 200-yards.

*Suffice it to say some people live very miserable and pathetic lives.

 

[fiver]

for 30 bucks your not gonna go wrong.
the alignment rods, and the clicker for the screws is worth it alone.
I think I have only worked in one ring set with the lapping rod, and I was damn glad to have it when I needed it.

 

[462]

Bought the torque wrench and "professional level" combination a bit over a year ago, and they've been handy. This kit is only the alignment and lapping bars -- still a good deal.

Okay, you guys have convinced me! I'll order it in the morning. It's not like we ever have enough tools, right?

 

[L Ross]

Burris Signature Zee Rings, yes! Now there was a nice invention. The only thing I would add to them would be a set of longer "slave screws" to start to tighten the rings with. Once the rings are drawn down a bit you could replace the slaves with the ring screws.

I use mine for additional elevation for long range shooting. Stick some plus MOA in the rear rings and zeroes or negatives in the front and custom tune your set up for optimal long range scope use with .22 rimfire and my cast bullet loads.

 

[Winelover]

Never found the need. I'm a big fan of QD rings. Warne, Kimber or Leopold. On every centerfire firearm, I own except for the Ruger Mark II rifle. I won't use the supplied aluminum rings on 22 RF's, only steel.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I have been using a Hardened 1" pin from a Hydraulic cylinder for decades. A Couple years ago, I bought a 30mm with a side handle attachment. That handle makes laping MUCH easier then whacking my fingers into the rings every 3-4 push!!

I say thats a good price and suggest you buy if you change/buy scopes and mount yourself.
If your a buy mount and shoot for ever kinda a guy. $$ might be better spent elsewhere.

 

[462]

Though I do very little scope buying and changing, I've been thinking about the kit for several years, and last week's having to borrow my friend's kit so I could swap the scope on my son-in-law's 721 really stoked the should-I-buy one fire. That and wanting to replace the Ruger American's 3-9 Vortex with some company's 4-12.

Order placed!

 

[Rick H]

I find the lapping bars useful and use them with most scope mounting jobs. The are handy for checking alignment of the old Redfield/Leupold twist in mounts as well as lapping. Mine is a homemade piece of centerless ground drill rod with a hole drilled and tapped in the center to mount a handle. The only way it can hurt is if you get carried away and overdo things. Loaned it to a friend who thought if lapping the high spots was good why not wallow out the whole damn set of rings? I mount his scopes now.