When are ring marks on a scope a problem?

[douglasfir]

When shopping for quality used scopes like SWFA stuff, how big of a concern are ring marks? I don't care about the cosmetics. I do wonder how to tell when they indicate damage that isn't just cosmetic. Are you probably still good to go even if the marks leave a small indentation in the tube?

 

[wapitibob]

I get ring marks that are cosmetic because of the contact between dissimilar parts. The tube may have been bead blasted, different anodizing between the ring and tube, etc, and I have no issue with that. You can usually clean that up. I personally wouldn't buy a scope where the rings bent the tube.

 

[LaHunter]

If the tube has actual indentations, I would not buy that scope. If ring marks are only ‘scuff’ marks in the anodizing / coating that would not concern me much

 

[westsloper]

When I say indentations, I’m talking about something that’s barely perceptible. When I run my fingers over the tube, I can just barely feel a bump in the spots where the ring marks are. I’m not super worried about it. I figure an SWFA scope should be able to handle it. Haven’t mounted it to rifle yet, but will probably get out to the range soon to see for myself
.