In the past, I usually mounted scopes without lapping the rings. This is probably because I never had a nice scope. Now I’m mounting a new Nikon Buckmaster on a decent rifle, and I’m wondering how many of you guys take the time to lap the rings and use the bar alignment tools to get the rings perfect. Please describe your scope mounting procedure for precision rifles.
Thanks!
I lay the lapping bar into the rings as I snug them down to try to keep them aligned during install. Then I’ll do a light lapping… just enough to see that the majority of the surface of the inner rings has been contacted by the bar and that they’re evenly contacted/lapped.
Normally, rings that need Lapped are Junk… and/or mounted to a junk, out of spec Rail/Interface.
Buy a Set of Rings that won’t need lapping, and secure them to a Good, In-Spec. Picatinny Rail. Think: Badger, Seekins, NF, Near Mfg., Murphy Precision, Leupold, etc.
You didn’t mention what rifle but if it’s a Remington 700, do yourself a HUGE favor and Google “bed scope base” and the first few links will describe what you need to know for that.
Lapping can’t hurt but I have to agree that if the rail is in-spec and mounted stress-free, quality rings will not need to be lapped. FWIW, I bedded a Leupold steel base to my 700 and used Seekins rings.
Definitely check with the manufacturer before your lap their rings! Most good rings DO NOT need lapping.