Lapping "High end" scope rings?

[SDHNTR]

What I do when the receiver is way off, like on this gun, is I start with lapping only the lower halves. I get about halfway there first. Stopping to clean and taking note of the wear pattern often. Once I get to about 50-60% contact on the bottom halves, I then install the top halves and lap to 80-90% contact all around.

 

[SDHNTR]

Guessing the bottom clamps are also loose as you can see the rings (both) tilted to the left at the top, likely making them look worse.

Also i thought this thread was about “high end” rings?

Incorrect. The lower rings are not loose. They are torqued to spec.

As for the quality of the rings, unfortunately, there arent many options for a Ruger, and in my experience, the Leupold rings (these) are much better than the Ruger OEM ones. The Ruger ring mount system certainly lacks precision, but once trued up, it's as strong as anything out there. It's an integral “dovetail” with a recoil lug in each ring.

 

[BULLBLASTER]

Incorrect. The lower rings are not loose. They are torqued to spec.

As for the quality of the rings, unfortunately, there arent many options for a Ruger, and in my experience, the Leupold rings (these) are much better than the Ruger OEM ones. The Ruger ring mount system certainly lacks precision, but once trued up, it's as strong as anything out there. It's an integral dovetail with a recoil lug in each ring.

I stand corrected. The way the clamp is rotated makes it look like the rings are not seated. Guess the clamp rotated with torque

 

[SDHNTR]

Final check before scope install.

 

[Marshfly]

Makes note: don’t buy a Ruger M77.

Got it.

But seriously. That’s a perfect example of how a good lapping job can fix a pretty major deficiency @SDHNTR

 

[gbflyer]

Like I’ve said before, no need to argue about lapping. It’s your bent scope.

 

[Cdnance]

Hopefully some guys can chime in on this topic again.
What’s the consensus, to lap or not to lap?

 

[Randy11]

In general, do you guys tend to get worse ring marks after lapping? Or am I doing something wrong?

 

[wapitibob]

From what I have seen, If you get thru the anodizing on 7075 rings you would likely get some aluminum discoloration/deposits on the tube. You can also get marks from the dissimilar surface finish of lapped rings and the usually satin finish on the tube.

 

[Dan Carey]

You can always put the lapping bar in the rings and then tighten them down on the base. Gives yo the ability to check both ways. Just because the rings are on the base don't mean they are straight.

 

[Randy11]

You can always put the lapping bar in the rings and then tighten them down on the base. Gives yo the ability to check both ways. Just because the rings are on the base don't mean they are straight.

I had good luck doing this on the Ruger rings.

 

[Shortschaf]

I have a lapping bar set but have not used them

The alignment bars match up perfectly on my Seekins PMR and Sportsmatch rings so I left them alone

 

[Djahnsen]

Ok hate to beat a dead horse but I think what I found could be useful to others here. This topic has been argued over on here in numerous posts. Some guys for but most guys against lapping scope rings. Most on here, me included, will say it's definitely not necessary if you buy high end rings. Well Iets just say I agreed with that for years until yesterday. I've never lapped a set of rings. I've mounted more scopes over the years than I can remember. My own, family, friends etc. I've always either used or recommended high end rings and explained the benefits of using them as opposed to using crap. Well I recently purchased a Seekins Precision Havak Element and went with a Leica Amplus 6 3-18x44i 4w to top it off with. I also picked up a set of Seekins 30 mm rings. Before mounting the scope I borrowed my buddies lapping kit for shits and giggles lol. Just to check my "high end rings" I mounted the bottom have of the rings on the rail and torqued them to spec. I then put one of the 30 mm alignment bars on each ring. Guess what? They didn't align perfectly like I thought they would and one of the alignment bars didn't sit flat in the rear ring. I could rock it slightly back and forth. I then chalked the lapping bar put it in the rings installed the caps and tightened them. When I removed the bar that rear ring had only about 30% contact. More contact in the front ring but still less than I ever would've thought. So after all these years I learned something new. I'll never install any set of rings without first checking ever again.

Great info! I have always been in the same school of thought.