Vortex viper HD 3-15x44 Parallax issiue

[Goodson84]

Just received a replacement for warranty issue. The new scope is mounted on a HOWA Mini 6ARC. Issue is I can torque the forward rings over 10 inch lbs or parallax started binding up. Recommends 18 inch lbs but can get over 10, torque to 11 and starts binding up. I did torque rear rings to 18. Anyone had a similar issue?

 

[nm.otter]

What rings? Sounds like something might be off.

 

[FLFarms]

Just bought this scope and did not have that issue. Could be wrong rings?

I’ve been advised in the past to buy rings from the scope manufacturer.

 

[Goodson84]

Talley rings, I know what happening it’s applying pressure to the parallax but I just can’t understand why at such a low torque anount

 

[Kyguy]

Post pictures showing how it's mounted

 

[4th_point]

Talley rings, I know what happening it’s applying pressure to the parallax but I just can’t understand why at such a low torque anount

Are the rings co-linear? I would start there. Not sure if it's common with Howa, but Remington 700 actions can be out of spec, causing the rings to be misaligned when simply installed on the receiver.

Vortex themselves have noted issues with some rings (e.g. vertical split that deform around the tube like Warne). Your Talleys are probably horizontal split though, with a top strap style of clamp?

 

[Goodson84]

Yes they are horizontal split, I believe you may be on to something with it being an alignment issue that makes the most sense

 

[4th_point]

Do you have a lapping bar? If so, put it in the rings without the top straps and make sure that it slides back and forth, and rotates easily. If you don't have a bar, do the same with the scope. If the rings are misaligned, you can sometimes feel it. You can also use a small flashlight to inspect the gap between the ring bore and scope tube. Most likely there will be a gap! Compare the gaps on both rings, they should be similar.

You could also tighten only one ring and see if the scope lifts off of the other ring. Repeat with the other ring.

Last, or maybe first (!), you could try attaching just one ring in the suspect area and see if the parallax binds. This could be off the rifle, or even mounted backwards on the rifle, so that you are only making contact in that one area if that makes sense.

 

[Goodson84]

Requested another set of rings from Talley, They sent the un-extended version which I prefer. I can torque to 11 inch lbs and then parrallax starts to get stiff again. I will either leave it as is being on 6ARC and recoil or go with DNZ solids base and rings or lap these. Thanks for the replies and suggestions!

 

[Kyguy]

Howa rifles are advertised as fitting Remington 700 bases, but there's a very slight caveat to that. The rear receiver bridge on a Howa is the tiniest bit lower than the rear bridge on a 700 is. If you're using bases for a 700, that could be part of the issue, stacking of tolerances is enough to put the scope in a bind. On the flip side of that it could be that something in the scope erector is off. I would send the scope in the vortex with the detailed explanation of what it's doing and what you've done and see what they have to say.