You are a happy owner of the rifle scope, and you are almost ready to set off on the long-awaited journey to the forest. It’s your first time and no words can describe how excited you are. You decide to take another look at your rifle and pull a newly bought scope out of your bag. Here they are, two elements that should merge to create the ultimate hunting weapon. You hold both of them in your hands. And then something just doesn’t add up.
It turns out that it takes more than a rifle and a scope to have a rifle with a scope. JavaScript users would be absolutely terrified to learn this, but real life is no code, and maths here are more complicated than in books. We hope that you’ve never found yourself in a described situation. Experienced hunters and shooters surely know about scope mounts, but what seems evident to them might be a mystery to novices. For those in need of enlightenment and those who already know what they seek, we’ve written this article.
Scopes do not attach to rifles by themselves, they are not magnetized, and the power of believing cannot make them hold. Scopes are mounted with the help of a system that comprises at least two elements: a base and a mount itself.
The base serves as the foundation of this construction since rings cannot and should not be mounted directly on the barrel. There are several styles that differ in design and versatility, but bases are not the focus of our guide.
Scope rings are the second component that holds the scope in place. They are two separate circular pieces that are mounted on the base. They look like, you know, rings. Several factors will determine if a pair of rings fits your scope.
Table of Contents
Since rings hold your scope transversely, you need a ring with a particular width to fit your scope. Since the points of contact are not directly at the ends of the scope, lens diameter is not the determining factor here. Scope tube diameter is. There are three major measurements: 1 inch, 30mm, and 34mm. They are not the only ones, but these three numbers cover the majority of scopes. Your scope’s tube diameter is specified in the item’s description, so make sure to check it out before buying rifle scope rings.
The profile is how high your scope is mounted. It is recommended to mount your rifle as low as possible to keep your adjustments accurate without touching the barrel. However, comfort is another factor that should influence your decision. If you need to lean in too much, every shot will become a burden. Scopes with larger objective lenses need to be mounted higher, so choose the profile carefully. Luckily, there are only three options, so it won’t be too challenging to do: those are low, medium, and high variants.
The world would be too simple if every pair of scope rings could fit any base. But life’s complicated and so are relationships between rings and bases. Not too complicated though: each base style has a relevant ring style. Picatinny rings fit Picatinny bases, Weaver rings fit Weaver bases, and so on. The style is also specified in the product description, so it won’t be too much of a problem if you don’t forget to check it.
Now that we are done with the introduction, it’s time to see some examples. Here are the 5 best scope rings that are not the best of them all, but are just great at what they do and thus deserve your attention.
Diameter: 1in
Height: Medium
Material: Steel
Leupold has been producing scopes and optic accessories for more than half a century and has become one of the industry’s major players. These rings match a scope with a tube diameter of 1 inch that a large number of scopes can fit. They suit rimfire rifles with 11mm and 3/8″ Dovetail bases. Steel makes the rings rugged and dependable without making the construction extra-heavy, even for a pair of rings. With a ring height of 1 inch, these medium-style ring mounts will make for a reliable carrier for your precious optics.
Diameter: 1in
Height: High
Material: Steel
Another creation of the renowned Leupold, these rings sit high enough to let your optics see as far as the eye goes. A perfect fit for 1in scopes, these rings can be mounted on 11mm and 3/8″ Dovetail rails. Machined steel constructions offer unmatched integrity and durability. Weighing only 3.2oz, they won’t encumber your rifle while holding your scope tightly to never let go. Leupold’s fame among hunters and shooters is well deserved, and this pair of rings is another chance to verify this.
Diameter: 34mm
Height: Medium
Material: Aluminum
Engineered with attention to detail, these rings bear Warne’s quality mark. CNC machined aluminum platform makes the construction light and durable. Hardcoat anodized finish increases the resistance to abrasion and corrosion, while stainless steel hardware offers protection against the elements to the most vital parts. The set of rings will fit both Weaver and Picatinny style bases, which makes it highly versatile. Designed specifically for scopes with a tube diameter of 34mm, these medium-height style rings will make for a reliable basis for your optics.
Diameter: 30mm
Height: High
Material: Aluminum
This Vortex-made pair of ring mounts offer the final touch to your rifle-optics construction. Made from machined 7075 T6 aluminum, these rings are an extremely lightweight but durable scope holder that will add only 3.58oz of additional weight to your rifle. Matte Black anodized coating offers additional resistance against corrosion. These rings sit as high as 1.26 inches and fit 30mm tube diameter scopes. Fout Torx-style socket cap screws ensure that your scope is securely mounted. These Vortex rings fit Weaver and Picatinny style rails, so they are sure to fit the majority of scope bases. The box includes a T-25 Torx-style wrench and two additional screws in case you’ll ever need to replace the original ones.
Diameter: 35mm
Height: High
Material: Aluminum
We conclude our tier list right where we began it – on Leupold ring mounts. This set of rings fits scopes with a tube diameter of 35mm and lifts them as high as 1.09in. Constructed with 7075-T6 aluminum and reinforced with a milled-in recoil lug, these ring mounts firmly secure your scope in place, as they have more contact with the base, bringing even more stability to the construction. These 3.6 ounces of robustness and durability will make for an exceptional mount for your 35mm scope.
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