Can a scope be mounted too low?

[teledogs]

Quick question.

Can a scope be mounted too low? I just mounted one on a Tikka Varmint with a set of rings I had on hand. I can see light between the barrel and bell and I can pass a piece of paper between the 2 but the paper has some contact with the bell and barrel but very little. I have heard to mount a scope as low to the barrel as possible and I prefer that but is this too low? It is too low to put a Butler Creek flip cover on or a neoprene scope cover which isn't the best.

Thanks!

[6MT]

You should probably raise it up. Something will flex under recoil (barrel, mount, scope, action). Then you will have contact. Changes the barrel harmonic, could damage the scope or the mount.

I've had scopes be close, but not a "paper's width" close.

[338wea]

if your shooting somthing fats heat waves might affets your vision, I would lift it a little bit higher

[Pathfinder76]

There would have to be a lot of flex where the least amount of flex on a rifle would be to contact with 5 thou clearance.

[Smokinyotes]

I have a few that height. They are in near alpha mounts. I don’t think they will ever touch

[teledogs]

If it matters it is on a 22-250 so not a big recoil rifle. Mounts are DNZ one piece and scope is a Nikon Prostaff.

Thanks for the answers!

[6MT]

Originally Posted by teledogs

If it matters it is on a 22-250 so not a big recoil rifle. Mounts are DNZ one piece and scope is a Nikon Prostaff.

Yeah, not a big recoil with that. But what about the stock flex? is the action bedded?

Just say'n.

I guess you should also ask, how thick is that piece of paper?

[Salavee]

I wouldn't pick a ring height until I checked the stock fit . You require a good solid cheek weld , so pick a ring height that matches that. 1/4-1/2 " clearance isn't too much at all. Try to avoid the head lifting and bobbing in order to get a perfect sight picture.
For example , a Monte Carlo style stock will likely not be compatible with a low ring and a 50mm+ Objective probably wont either. Sometimes you get lucky and it all lines up with a 1/8" barrel clearance,or less, but not often.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Salavee

I wouldn't pick a ring height until I checked the stock fit . You require a good solid cheek weld , so pick a ring height that matches that. 1/4-1/2 " clearance isn't too much at all. Try to avoid the head lifting and bobbing in order to get a perfect sight picture.
For example , a Monte Carlo style stock will likely not be compatible with a low ring and a 50mm+ Objective probably wont either. Sometimes you get lucky and it all lines up with a 1/8" barrel clearance,or less, but not often.

Yup, proper ring height depends on how you mount the rifle for sure .
Cat

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by 6MT

Yeah, not a big recoil with that. But what about the stock flex? is the action bedded?

Just say'n.

I guess you should also ask, how thick is that piece of paper?

Stock flex would have zero affect.

[6MT]

Originally Posted by Pathfinder76

Stock flex would have zero affect.

I beg to differ Sir. I had a Sako A7 that had so much flex in the fore end that I could move the barrel 1/8".

[cowmanbob]

Huh?

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by 6MT

I beg to differ Sir. I had a Sako A7 that had so much flex in the fore end that I could move the barrel 1/8".

Move the barrel an 1/8”. Really? How?

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by cowmanbob

Huh?

I’ll say.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by 6MT

I beg to differ Sir. I had a Sako A7 that had so much flex in the fore end that I could move the barrel 1/8".

How much force did you put on the fore end to get the barrel to flex 1/8"?.

[Coiloil37]

I would shoot it and find out. As you can tell the answers here are all over the shop. My gut says you’ll be fine.

I have a .338 marlin express that has less clearance than your rifle/scope does. I can’t fit a paper between them. Nothing touches (even with all that stock flex) and it’ll hold under a minute of angle to 300 yards. Not a great pic but it’s all I’ve got on my phone.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

How much force did you put on the fore end to get the barrel to flex 1/8"?.

The stock is flexing, not the barrel.

[6MT]

Originally Posted by Pathfinder76

The stock is flexing, not the barrel.

^This

And, it didn't take much "force" at all. I used to say that factory Sako stock was like a noodle. OP, I'm sure it will be just fine.

[teledogs]

Again thanks for your answers!

I figure if anything does go wrong it would be the scope that gets damaged and I would use that as a reason to upgrade it. So I will shoot it as is. It is the heavy varmint barrel and a small cartridge so I think barrel flex won't be a factor.

The paper that made contact was Candian Tire money. A piece of regular paper from the photocopier made no contact but doubled up it would not pass through.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Pathfinder76

The stock is flexing, not the barrel.

His post stated that he could move the barrel 1/8", so either it has to be loose in the receiver, or it has to flex, to get it to move 1/8" . The stock flexing isn't an issue with scope clearance, unless the barrel also flexes/moves.

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

His post stated that he could move the barrel 1/8", so either it has to be loose in the receiver, or it has to flex, to get it to move 1/8" . The stock flexing isn't an issue with scope clearance, unless the barrel also flexes/moves.

I agree.

[6.5 shooter]

Originally Posted by teledogs

Again thanks for your answers!

I figure if anything does go wrong it would be the scope that gets damaged and I would use that as a reason to upgrade it. So I will shoot it as is. It is the heavy varmint barrel and a small cartridge so I think barrel flex won't be a factor.

The paper that made contact was Candian Tire money. A piece of regular paper from the photocopier made no contact but doubled up it would not pass through.

Back on subject: you will be fine

[YoteStopper]

Lower is better, IMO....but of course depends on comb height, stock design, etc.



Would not put a scope this close on a heavy recoiling rifle, but for most slam it right tight. This one a plastic gift card doesn't fit between barrel and bell.

[wallz]

I’d be more worried about your sight picture, cheek rest than scope height.
Quick way to check.
Raise your rifle to shooting position, with your eyes closed. Keep eyes closed and get comfortable. Open your eyes and see how far out you are. If set up to you, you should not have to adjust your height, distance that you naturally set on your rifle as you are ready to shoot. If need be make the necessary adjustments so when you bring the rifle up to shooting position and open your eyes you are situated right were you need to be. As long as the scope is not actually touching the rifle.

I have notched scope cap covers before, to have the scope were it needs to be, low on MY rifle, set to me, so I can still get the covers on.

I have to mount a cheek riser to some rifles so the kids can get comfortably behind the scope, and remove them when I shoot that rifle.

[waldedw]

To the OP, No worries you have ample room there. shoot it you'll be fine.

To the guy with 1/8" barrel flex, wow

[6MT]

Originally Posted by waldedw

To the OP, No worries you have ample room there. shoot it you'll be fine.

To the guy with 1/8" barrel flex, wow

Not barrel flex. Stock flex. Yeah, the factory Sako stocks are garbage.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by 6MT

Not barrel flex. Stock flex. Yeah, the factory Sako stocks are garbage.

So you are moving the stock 1/8" , not the barrel as previously posted? That makes a lot more sense. But it still doesn't effect scope clearance.

[6MT]

I give up. You are correct. I am wrong. End of story.

[Prairiewolf]

Originally Posted by teledogs

Quick question.

Can a scope be mounted too low? I just mounted one on a Tikka Varmint with a set of rings I had on hand. I can see light between the barrel and bell and I can pass a piece of paper between the 2 but the paper has some contact with the bell and barrel but very little. I have heard to mount a scope as low to the barrel as possible and I prefer that but is this too low? It is too low to put a Butler Creek flip cover on or a neoprene scope cover which isn't the best.

Thanks!

Getting back on track here...

Your scope mount is fine as is - you will not incur contact between the scope and the barrel by firing that rifle.

It sounds like you want some more clearance merely to allow a scope cover or flip caps (I don't blame you - I would too). Any adjustments you make should be done for this reason, but not because you think the current tolerance is too tight to fire safely and accurately.

Best of luck.