How tight should I have my scope rings? Right now they are about as tight as I can get them just using my hands. Well the other day I noticed that the scope was further forward on my gun than I thoguht I had originally mounted, then I noticed what looked like tape coming out from under the rings. Well I tryed to pull the tape and it was actually shaved aluminum

What should I do? I am worried to tighten them down any more. Would lapping the rings or getting a reamer help at all? It would definitely make me feel better about tightening them down any more. Do I need a torque wrench for this?

A lot of folks push the scope forward in the rings as far as it will go until the ring rests against the turret. Then it can go no further.

what caliber, scope and rings and especially how many rings are you using?

X2

It is a SRH .44 and I am using the factory rings. I thought about pushing it all the way forward but 2 things

1. I want the scope as close to my eye as possible to get a better field of view and better balance. It is front heavy enough as it is.

2. If the scope has that much force on it under recoil, I really don't want it being applied to the turret. It may not hurt it but it just didn't seem like a good idea to me.

normally a 44 wont move a scope in the factory rings if they are tight. I used to use a torque driver but I just do it by feel now. The only thing I use a torque driver on is rifle stocks since consistency of pressure on the stock can effect accuracy. Some rings come with friction material but you can use double sided scotch tape and put a 1/2" or so piece on the top and bottom or you can bet a weaver adapter and use more rings. The only other thing is to try a different set of rings. Leupold makes Ruger rings that are very good.

Try adding white paper address labels to the inside surface of the rings-- I know it sounds crazy but it works great

Yep, I use just a tiny piece of the tape that comes in those window plastic kits. Don't cover the whole ring, just a small piece will do wonders. Another thing that works well is rosin powder, just a dusting. A single drop of clear finger nail polish on the bottom rings is yet another that works well. I prefer aluminum rings whenever possible cause they grip better.

that is what i did to my redhawk yrs ago to stop slippage. it's not crazy at all....it works great.

Weldwood contact cement. Clean rings and scope before applying. will not set up before the scope is placed right in rings. rings and scope can still be taken apart whenever need be and cement can be removed with Cutex fingernail polish remover.
It is my "go to" whenever scoping a hard kicker.
Have never had a scope move no matter what the recoil.
I have some heavy kickers.
Sounds scary using contact cement but no problems.

Exactly! This is what I do on all my scopes; never had a slip, not even on the big boys!

Scope tube? I have ruined a Burris tube on my .44. Soft aluminum and a heavy scope with too much inertia. I tried everything from tape to rosin and glue but the tube was too soft and the scope too heavy. Even making things too tight to squeeze the tube did not help.
I have a Leopold and a Tasco that has been on everything to the .500 JRH with no marks on the tubes at all. Ultra Dots have tough tubes.
I am willing to bet the scope issue was a Burris.

2x Bushnell

And if you ask any scope maker they will agree emphatically with you. I have been told as much by a couple of them. I personally don't exercise that option but many folks do. I have not had a scope move with the small piece of double sided tape, nor the nail polish trick (which would be akin to using contact cement) nor rosin so I would suggest any of those cures first.

Line the rings with masking tape, that should do it. Try steel rings instead of aluminum, the other thing is to use a scope with a finish on it like matte, so the rings get a better bite.

Another thing that works well is rosin powder, just a dusting. [/quote]

I have used this in combo with lapping the rings and it has worked well for me also.

saw one guy use toothpicks between the rings and the scope. LOL.
Just a joke, but I did see a guy with tootpicks to shi up the scope. UGH.

I was told once also to put the rings against the turret housing or the "bell" on the eye piece. I didn't really like that Idea either. just made me a little leery that it MAY damage the scope. it obviously holds some merit though...

Would be a good idea to lap your rings to make sure that the pressure is equal across the scope body,if you have too much,it will damage the body and void your warranty. It is a good idea to use a material in the rings that will not act adversly if it gets damp or allows moisture under the ring halves and holds moisture. If all else fails,use an extra ring,if you have room,or get a new set of rings and lap them in. I have only had 1 scope slide on me, and it was on a .375 JDJ., and had to tighten a little more. The bbl was a 20",and using max loads,Rick.

I ended up using some fingernail polish. I also think I over tightened the screws, one of them felt like it was starting to yield.

Yeah, that one will have to be replaced,lol!

Neh, I just tightened the one next to it down, should be fine. I tryed to find some longer screws but no luck. I MIGHT try to get some new rings before next year.

Or better yet, has anyone ever drill and tap them out for a larger screw? This is the factory ruger rings.

I would hold off on that, the next size up is a good bit larger and wouldn't leave a lot of meat around the screw. If you get it snug and the other tight you may be just fine.

I probably have a screw, I have several sets of ruger rings so I can check thread size and pitch, I believe its 6-40 but I need to double check. If I do I'll mail you one. I'll let you know when I go out to the shop tomorrow.

Thanks but I am not worried about it, if it breaks then I'm getting bigger rings. I never imagined how much putting a tshirt between my hand and the torx driver handle would increase my ability to turn these things!

10 inch T/C in .357 Herret with the scope against the front ring never damaged my Burris.

You'll be OK.


WVS329

#1....if you are stripping steel ruger rings/screws you are tightening WAY...WAY too much. it doesn't take much, just good n snug, and no where near enough to hurt your hand.

#2....all you had to do was put a strip of label tape inside the rings and it would stop the slipping....a simple, easy fix.

#3 you do not need "bigger" rings....whatever that is. ruger rings are great.

just replace that ring....either from rod OR ruger. i would HOPE you havn't damaged the scope from excessive "abuse"....lol.

It wasn't hurting my hand, my hand was turning and the driver wasn't. I am using what looks like a normal craftsman screwdriver, except it has the star-shaped torx tip on it. This is not the L shaped wrench that comes with some scope rings.

I really want to try out some of the warne quick release rings, that is what I mean by bigger.

I don't think the ring stripped, I think the screw started to yield, or stretch too much. A little work hardening never hurt anything.

As for the scope, where it was sliding scared it pretty badly and I believe left a small dent. I am really not worried about this scope, it was an ebay special.

Exctly what I did many years ago when I put a scope on my Super Redhawk. No sure if the scope would have moved if I had not done this, but I can tell you it has not moved because I did this!