Preventing ring marks when mounting scopes

[KidCulpepper]

Is there any way to prevent making ring marks on scopes? I was thinking about lining the rings with a piece of electrical tape but not sure if that is a good idea or not...has anyone tried this or other tricks with good results? (this question is specifically for a smallbore gun but also curious if the answer is the same for Highpower as well?)

I have also considered using Burris rings with the plastic inserts (I already have a set that I bought years ago and never used) but I think those are possibly the ugliest rings I have ever seen. Not the end of the world I guess but don't really want to have a nice stock, nice scope and ugly rings! Are there any other rings that use inserts that won't make marks on the scope body?

Thanks,
Stephen

[malinois]

Yes, I have taken a strip of news paper same width of the rings and lenght to go around the scope tube without overlap and laid it in the rings then clamped it all down. it not only protects the scope tube but also stop scope slip in the rings.....works great on recoiling airguns too.

[Trent]

Don't talk that way about my favorite rings!! I actually like the look of them.

Those Burris are the easiest/best way to prevent any kind of ring marks, period. Both for HP and smallbore.

Something else to use is small pieces of standard printer paper. Some of my rings use a "friction paper" sticker in the bottom half of the ring, which is just a thin paper sticker. Keep it thin, like your condoms… hey, now there is an idea!

[KidCulpepper]

Trents feelings aside, the Burris posi line rings look like crap.

See Trent - I'm not the only one!!!

[malinois]

I lap the rings then use the news print. Works with any rings. I hate ring marks on scope tubes this is what did it for me.

[KidCulpepper]

I lap the rings then use the news print. Works with any rings. I hate ring marks on scope tubes this is what did it for me.

How do you get the paper to stay put while you are adjusting eye relief before clamping it down? Do you add something to stick the paper to the rings?

Thanks,
Stephen

[KidCulpepper]

Another overlooked problem that will mar a scope tube is sharp corners on the inside ring surfaces. Best quality rings adress this issue. All corners and intersecting surfaces should have a radiused break as to not bite into the tube. This includes the joint where the top and bottom rings meet at the screws. Dont over tighten the ring screws as it is easy to crush in dents into the aluminum tube.

Trents feelings aside, the Burris posi line rings look like crap.

What are a few examples of rings that address this issue? I have some BKLs but found out the hard way that they will make marks... I guess maybe I could file on them and then re-anodize but not sure it is worth the trouble.

Thanks,
Stephen

[Trent]

Trents feelings aside, the Burris posi line rings look like crap.

See Trent - I'm not the only one!!!

Well you're both wrong.

[malinois]

Kid, I lay the paper in the rings then put the scope in...clamp down lightly..once you have your final placement on the scope tighten up your rings. They paper usally will not move once you have it lightly clamped.

[KidCulpepper]

Thanks, malinois - I will give it a try.

Stephen

[Trent]

What section of the newspaper works best? Comics? Politics? Men seeking men?

[hambone49]

Trent, you are messing with the wrong dude...personally, I prefer ZigZag...

[jjp]

Y'all really worry about ring marks? Way too anal for me. If y'all would stop fiddling with those scopes and just leave them be, you wouldn't ever have to see them there scope ring marks that those $15 rings put on your $800 scope.

By the way, the reason I posted. I hate the Burris rings with Inserts. You can have a hard time with the inserts getting windage zeroed the way I like. They settle over time. Let one set in the safe for a couple years barely touching the scope against the back wall. Had one guy call the shop complaining about them after rifle being left in a hot tractor in 113 degree weather.Go figure. So I just think plastic mounting a scope is a bad idea.

I'm going to go give them away right now.

[malinois]

Hamm I thought you were a buggler guy or maybe tops....anyways be careful with the bath salts.

[Trent]

I'm going to go give them away right now.

Let me send you my address.