Lapping scope rings?
- Thread starter Cross J
- Start date
Jack Roberts
Moderator - Deceased
You definitely should lap the rings. If that is a cold rolled or ground bar it will work perfect for lapping. I usually start with 320 grit and after a few strokes you can see how bad the rings are, If they are very far out I will use a coarser grit to start with, 220 or even 180. If they are pretty true the 320 works fine. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Jack
Jack
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6mm06
Well-known member
CrossJ,
I had my Remington Sendero rebarreled and the gunsmith lapped the rings for me - a wise decision. The scope is true and makes long range shooting better. I have never done the work myself, but I will have it done again on any rifle I demand long range accuracy of.
Good Shooting.
I had my Remington Sendero rebarreled and the gunsmith lapped the rings for me - a wise decision. The scope is true and makes long range shooting better. I have never done the work myself, but I will have it done again on any rifle I demand long range accuracy of.
Good Shooting.
What are the chances of the rings not needing to be lapped? If no lapping is done, is there really going to be a signifacant difference in the accuracy the rifle is capable of? The reason I ask is i just mounted a scope but did not lap. Should I remove the scope and lap them?
I just bought a nice lapping tool from Sinclair. It's long enough to work comfortably and has a detachable "T" handle, also comes with lapping compound. Mine is 30mm and cost about $27, I think the 1" tool is a few dollars cheaper.
Just a point of info in case your piece of stainless doesn't work out. The handle really helps.
Also, if you buy some lapping compound you should get Aluminum Oxide, not Silicone Carbide. According to Sinclair, Silicone Carbide will get permanently imbedded into the rings and will damage the finish. The Aluminum Oxide that Sinclair provides is 280 grit.
To answer RemVSSF, even if the rings aren't lapped you still may have a perfect fit, but you may not. If not, when you tighten the rings down you can actually bend the tube slightly. It may still work fine, but personally I'd rather have a straight tube. In addition to insuring the scope rings are applying even pressure to the scope tube, one of the things I like about lapping is that if you ever move the scope to another rifle you shouldn't have ring marks from the first mounting.
Just a point of info in case your piece of stainless doesn't work out. The handle really helps.
Also, if you buy some lapping compound you should get Aluminum Oxide, not Silicone Carbide. According to Sinclair, Silicone Carbide will get permanently imbedded into the rings and will damage the finish. The Aluminum Oxide that Sinclair provides is 280 grit.
To answer RemVSSF, even if the rings aren't lapped you still may have a perfect fit, but you may not. If not, when you tighten the rings down you can actually bend the tube slightly. It may still work fine, but personally I'd rather have a straight tube. In addition to insuring the scope rings are applying even pressure to the scope tube, one of the things I like about lapping is that if you ever move the scope to another rifle you shouldn't have ring marks from the first mounting.
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Thanks , I got finished lapping the rings tonight, and mounted the scope. I have mounted many scopes myself, but have never lapped the rings.
Remvssf, after lapping the rings, investigation of the inside of the rings showed where some higher spots were ground down. Even though the scope seemed well alligned before, had the rings been tightened down without lapping, they would have definatly put uneven pressure on the scope tube. Don't know if it will make that big a differance, but no more time and money than it took, makes for cheap insurance. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif Thanks Again, CrossJ
Remvssf, after lapping the rings, investigation of the inside of the rings showed where some higher spots were ground down. Even though the scope seemed well alligned before, had the rings been tightened down without lapping, they would have definatly put uneven pressure on the scope tube. Don't know if it will make that big a differance, but no more time and money than it took, makes for cheap insurance. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif Thanks Again, CrossJ
If you've already mounted your scope without lapping does it permanently bend the tube? I had mine mounted at sportsmans warehouse here in Tucson and the guy seemed to know what he was doing. He used the mounting tool where you align the 2 pointed ends of a rod. I have a leupold mark 4 lr/t scope.
Jack Roberts
Moderator - Deceased
Quote:
What are the chances of the rings not needing to be lapped?
Slim and none.
I have never seen any rings that were ever lined up and round.
Jack
What are the chances of the rings not needing to be lapped?
Slim and none.
I have never seen any rings that were ever lined up and round.
Jack
stiff neck
New member
Is there a do-it-yourself method for folks who don't have a costly chunk of cold rolled steel at home? How about using some 400-600 grit wet sandpaper and the scope body? Or is there a common item around the house that will work without having to go buy some steel or a special tool for $30?
bob kudile
New member
stiff neck, look on ebay you might turn one up. shooters supply has a web special on a 1" lap for 15.50 i bought one a while back to rough lap with and then finish with my brownells lap. bob kudile
Michael H
New member
The cold rolled round stock shouldn't be that expensive. Call around to the junk yards, most of them have this common shape. You might have to scrounge around in the pile, but it definently isn't expensive. Be sure and don't choose hot rolled because this stuff doesn't have an accurate OD. If your cold rolled has been outside and has some rust on it (not heavy rust) just take some emery cloth and take the rust off! The compound isn't that hard to find either. It is pretty much the same as valve lapping compound, find it at good auto supply houses.
One other thing to think about: you don't want to lapp too much! I read somewhere, I think it was Greybeard.com, about a fella that got carried away and after he was done lapping his rings wouldn't tighten up, but I think that would be a very rare case.
One other thing to think about: you don't want to lapp too much! I read somewhere, I think it was Greybeard.com, about a fella that got carried away and after he was done lapping his rings wouldn't tighten up, but I think that would be a very rare case.
bob kudile
New member
cross, it is imposible for rings to line up with all the tolerances involved. ruger is the worst with the cast intergril ring mount and there cast rings. some times they are not lappable. i worked all my life as a tool designer/manufacturing eng. and have worked with close tol. all that time. for those that dont understand and wount lap use the burris off set ring inserts. i can take my scopes off and they go back almost perfect. i have the ring caps marked and i just won on ebay a snap on torque wrench with inch lb. and it is the screw driver handle 1/4 inch drive type that will use my chapmen gunsmith bits. bob kudile
tripod3
New member
There are a couple types of rings that don't need lapping. They are good quality and cost a little more than others. http://www.handgunhunt.com/reviews/r3/ http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=1730 http://www.sako.fi/accessories_optilock.html http://www.sako.fi/accessories_r_b.html#
Isn't ring alignment along the same lines a lapping? If the rings are not 100% in line wouldn't they tend to be the factor in warping or bending the tube? Thus, my 1st question that wasn't answered. (not trying to be a smart a$$ either!).
If they guy at sportsmans didn't completely pay attention to the 2 pointed tips lining up it could be warping my scope tube as we speak(so to say)
If they guy at sportsmans didn't completely pay attention to the 2 pointed tips lining up it could be warping my scope tube as we speak(so to say)
hogwire
New member
Yes coues7, alignment is the reason for lapping. In my early years I had some scopes (cheapies) put in so much strain they wouldn't adjust right. This is why I started using Burris signature rings with the inserts. They are self aligning (with scope) and don't mar your scope. Never had a scope slip or heard of anyone else having trouble. You can even get offset inserts to give you more elevation for long range shooting and for windage alignment. HTH LP
Here is what I use for lapping and scope alignment. This kit is about $33 but it's a one time purchase and it has been a great kit. As for lapping too much, you don't want to lap the inside of your rings to where the entire 100% inside the ring is shiny. The goal is to take the non-concentric high spots down so they don't gouge the scope.
I have a CZ 550 that needed some lapping after noticing that the alignment bars didn't come close. I lapped the rings and about 40% of the inside of the rings needed lapping...This can be seen by 40% of the inside being shiny from the lapping compound.
As for all scope rings needed lapping, I would think all rings could benefit to differing degrees. However, one piece bases like Badger Ordnance and serial # rings like BO rings shouldn't need as much lapping as say Leupold dual dovetail setup. Also, lapping Badger rings voids the warranty so check with the manufacturer if you have some high $$$ rings and don't want to void the warranty.
One last thought, as for dual-dovetail rings, you always want to try and align them first (with alignment tools) before lapping. This will reduce the human error of trying to eye-ball align and then lapping the two axis thereby creating exaggerated non-concentricity.
I have a CZ 550 that needed some lapping after noticing that the alignment bars didn't come close. I lapped the rings and about 40% of the inside of the rings needed lapping...This can be seen by 40% of the inside being shiny from the lapping compound.
As for all scope rings needed lapping, I would think all rings could benefit to differing degrees. However, one piece bases like Badger Ordnance and serial # rings like BO rings shouldn't need as much lapping as say Leupold dual dovetail setup. Also, lapping Badger rings voids the warranty so check with the manufacturer if you have some high $$$ rings and don't want to void the warranty.
One last thought, as for dual-dovetail rings, you always want to try and align them first (with alignment tools) before lapping. This will reduce the human error of trying to eye-ball align and then lapping the two axis thereby creating exaggerated non-concentricity.