Check out the new setup & a question

[johnboy]

Hey fellas just wanted to show off my new gear..
I have a question about the scope, it just doesnt seem like it fits right, take a look at the pics and tell me what you think.

Ruger M77 Mark II Sporter 300 win mag
Leupold 4.5-14 x 50mm VX-III scope

If you look at the 2nd pic the front of the scope touches the barrel, this doesnt seem right to me, is the 50mm just to big? should i take it back and get a 40mm?
thanks

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/170/392698011_f0f9b4fc3c_o.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/148/392698012_1d30cc67bb_o.jpg

[trust me]

A taller set of mounts will fix it if you have your heart set on the 50mm objective. The 40 mm will fit with room to spare.

Regardless, you don't want the bell touching the barrel.

I went to www.leupold.com and used their mount selector option for a ruger long action and the 50 mm scope. It says you need the 1" Super High rings for that combination.

[beards-n-bones]

Awesome looking set up! I agree with TustMe. I have an older 50mm scope on a 25.06 and had to use higher mounts. Scope fits well on rifle and when shouldered. This is easy fix for you!

[ptbrauch]

I just saw a scope, a 50mm I think, where the bottom of the lens had kind of a concave cut-out. It looked like it was made to fit just a situation.

[beards-n-bones]

I just saw a scope, a 50mm I think, where the bottom of the lens had kind of a concave cut-out. It looked like it was made to fit just a situation.

Made by Leopold. Its the VX-L series. They are 50mm & 56mm scopes.

[johnboy]

thanks for the info guys..
I looked on there site, i cant tell which rings to get.
they said on 1 page, that the HIGH rings are good up to 52mm
but when i do the mount selector, it tells me i need the SUPER HIGH rings..

so i dont know which one i need to get?

also is there any disadvantages to using higher scope rings?

thanks

[westkybanded]

If the rifle is new, you should be able to take the rings back to the shop where you bought it and have them exchange them for super highs. I had the same problem with a short action m77 and a 56mm scope, and the gunshop owner told me that ruger usually gives their dealers several sets of super high rings just for this problem.

[johnboy]

I was confusing ruger and leupold rings.
ruger rings need to be HIGH and leupold's site says the rings need to be SUPER HIGH..

2 different companies terminology i guess

[97f150ext]

I have a Ruger M77 MarkII Stainless that I am going to need rings for. I bought a 50mm scope and had a 40mm. Originally the gun came with what Ruger calls the mid height rings, should be a KD71M part number I think. I have been checking into this and found that KD71H rings with allow the 50mm scope to fit fine. You might check into this some more, but Im pretty sure thats the part number straight from Ruger.

[Basswipe]

The disadvantage of higer rings is making the parallax larger.

[westkybanded]

The disadvantage of higer rings is making the parallax larger.


Paralax is the change of angular position of two stationary points relative to each other as seen by an observer, due to the motion of an observer. Simply put, it is the apparent shift of an object against a background due to a change in observer position.

The observer (shooter) position wouldn't be any different assuming that the line of sight is correct through the scope.

[C.L.Button]

Johnboy nice looking outfit ! Switch to the higher rings and you will fix the problem. Is that 4.5-14X50 nice or what ? :D

[johnboy]

Johnboy nice looking outfit ! Switch to the higher rings and you will fix the problem. Is that 4.5-14X50 nice or what ? :D

Yeah it's pretty sweet.. i didnt want to spend quite so much (it cost only $40 less than my ruger did) and i'm going to have to spend more for new rings. but it should turn out to be a pretty nice setup, i'm happy with the look and the feel, now i just hope it performs..

[johnboy]

I have a Ruger M77 MarkII Stainless that I am going to need rings for. I bought a 50mm scope and had a 40mm. Originally the gun came with what Ruger calls the mid height rings, should be a KD71M part number I think. I have been checking into this and found that KD71H rings with allow the 50mm scope to fit fine. You might check into this some more, but Im pretty sure thats the part number straight from Ruger.

yeah my research has lead me to the KD71H rings as well..
it was a bit confusing because i was looking at leupolds site
they call there rings 'SUPER HIGH' and ruger is just HIGH
I dont know which i'll buy, but i'll probably end up going with the ruger rings.

[C.L.Button]

I'm not up to date on Ruger rings. I have always bought the Leupold rings cause I liked the way they went together.

[30WCF]

Yeah it's pretty sweet.. i didnt want to spend quite so much (it cost only $40 less than my ruger did) and i'm going to have to spend more for new rings. but it should turn out to be a pretty nice setup, i'm happy with the look and the feel, now i just hope it performs..
Dont frett spending that much on a good scope, if you dont like the rifle the scope will fit on the next one.
The way I look at it a good scope like that is a lifetime investment, the rifles can come and go.

[C.L.Button]

Dont frett spending that much on a good scope, if you dont like the rifle the scope will fit on the next one.
The way I look at it a good scope like that is a lifetime investment, the rifles can come and go.

Soooo true !!! :D

[daking]

Think about the higher rings in this manner:

If you looked down the bore of the barrel, you'd see a straight line.

If you do the same thing through the scope, you see the same thing, except that line is higher than the one you see through the bore.

When you adjust the elevation on the scope, you are essentially tilting the line of sight through the scope (well, at least the line you center through the crosshairs) downward so that at some point way out there, the line you see when you look through the scope and the line of the bore interesect. Instead of being two parallel lines, the line of sight through the scope angles downward slightly.

The higher the scope is mounted, the sharper the angle you'll have to get that theoretical point at which the two lines cross. In this case, the narrower the area in which the bullet strikes real close to where the bore looks at a given distence.

In other words, (at least in theory) the lower the ring, the closer the center of the scope is to the bore. The closer the better....but....

It doesn't make all that much difference. It's more important to have the proper scope height to both have the scope bell not be pressed against the barrel (which might stress the scope and will certainly negate any positive effect of free-floating the barrel by adding some unnatural pressure) and to get the scope at a height that is right for your eye when the rifle is mounted to your shoulder.

That's the long answer

The short answer is to get the rings that alllow the scope to be mounted the lowest height with the scope bell missing the barrel and be happy.

Ruger brand rings are designed to fit the dovetail machined into the Ruger receiver. They hold the rings to the reciever tighter than a bull's keister in fly time. They're also very well made and are relatively inexpensive. I know of no practical advantage of buying another manufacturer's aftermarket product.

Get the right stuff. Degrease all of the metal surfaces. Make sure the ring caps go on the ring they came with and in the same position they were made. Clean all of the screws with alcohol or some other degreaser and give them a dab of lock-tight. When you carefully tighten the scope in the rings (alternating screws to give even pressure during the tightening sequence), stop when they're tight. Give the screwdriver a sharp rap with the handle handle and see if they won't tighten just a smidgen more. The tap engages the threads thoroughly. Then, go out and burn up mountains of ammo, happy in the knowledge that you know more about this than you'll ever need and it will work right.

[johnboy]

thanks for all the info!

I want my cake and be able to eat it too when it comes to this, since i'm certain it will be quite a while before i can buy such a nice setup again..
I wanted a silver leupold, just because it looks good on my rifle, but i do realize the rifle is a tool and i'm not out to win a beauty contest.
so if i have to go with black i can.

I also want to be able to do some long range hunting and shooting, so the LRD or B&C reticle was highly desired, as well as a higher powered and bigger objective. but i didnt realize it wasnt going to fit right and would require larger scope rings..
since they didnt make the scope with the reticle i wanted, i had to compromise and get the closest thing i could, i talked to the leupold custom shop, who said they would put in the reticle i wanted for about $70, which to get the setup i want, i'm ok with paying a little extra.

so here's the choice to make.
1) keep the vx-III 4.5-14x50 in silver (duplex reticle) and get the larger rings, and send it in to leupold to have a new reticle put in

or

2) return it, and get the vx-iii 4.5-14x40 in black (B&C reticle), the 40 should fit so i wont need bigger rings. and it will come with the B&C reticle, plus is about $40 cheaper
but it's in black so it wont look as pretty and it's 10mm smaller..

what would you do?
(the question is for anyone)

[daking]

I'd keep the present scope and get the right rings. I like duplex reticles and have used them for everything from brush hunting to groundhogs at 500 yards (though not with the same rifle). I believe that when it comes to crosshairs, the simpler the better. Learn where your rifle shoots and how high to hold it over and you won't have to worry about anything but the shot when it comes to the moment of truth. Simple is better

[C.L.Button]

I'd do the rings,,, but you already know that. :D Shoot it and get used to the rifle. IF after having some "seat time" you are not comfortable with the recticle , THEN send it off to Leupold. Good Luck

[30WCF]

thanks for all the info!

I want my cake and be able to eat it too when it comes to this, since i'm certain it will be quite a while before i can buy such a nice setup again..
I wanted a silver leupold, just because it looks good on my rifle, but i do realize the rifle is a tool and i'm not out to win a beauty contest.
so if i have to go with black i can.

I also want to be able to do some long range hunting and shooting, so the LRD or B&C reticle was highly desired, as well as a higher powered and bigger objective. but i didnt realize it wasnt going to fit right and would require larger scope rings..
since they didnt make the scope with the reticle i wanted, i had to compromise and get the closest thing i could, i talked to the leupold custom shop, who said they would put in the reticle i wanted for about $70, which to get the setup i want, i'm ok with paying a little extra.

so here's the choice to make.
1) keep the vx-III 4.5-14x50 in silver (duplex reticle) and get the larger rings, and send it in to leupold to have a new reticle put in

or

2) return it, and get the vx-iii 4.5-14x40 in black (B&C reticle), the 40 should fit so i wont need bigger rings. and it will come with the B&C reticle, plus is about $40 cheaper
but it's in black so it wont look as pretty and it's 10mm smaller..

what would you do?
(the question is for anyone)
I just took off my silver scope on my hunting rifle and but on the exact black VX-III your speaking of because I didnt like the silver scope hunting. I'm going to put it on a silver medalion that I dont plan on hunting with much but want it to look good.
To answer your question, I'm not overly empressed with the B&C reticle so if I were in your position I would probably keep the scope and get taller rings.

[johnboy]

thanks for the advice guys..

[C.L.Button]

thanks for the advice guys..

Post up a new picture when you get it done. I will put on my bib so I don't drewl with envy. :D

[johnboy]

I just took off my silver scope on my hunting rifle and but on the exact black VX-III your speaking of because I didnt like the silver scope hunting. I'm going to put it on a silver medalion that I dont plan on hunting with much but want it to look good.
To answer your question, I'm not overly empressed with the B&C reticle so if I were in your position I would probably keep the scope and get taller rings.

Just curious what didnt you like about the B&C?

[johnboy]

Post up a new picture when you get it done. I will put on my bib so I don't drewl with envy. :D

will do :)
I called BPS today and they basically said they couldn't help me and to call ruger.
I'm trying to track down a cheaper set, ruger wants $80 for the rings..

it will all work out i'm sure, i'm just the impatient type and i want to break this thing in..

[C.L.Button]

will do :)
I called BPS today and they basically said they couldn't help me and to call ruger.
I'm trying to track down a cheaper set, ruger wants $80 for the rings..

it will all work out i'm sure, i'm just the impatient type and i want to break this thing in..

Soooo you're tellin me that you bought BOTH the gun and scope from them as well as the new mounting system and they will not help you ?

[30WCF]

Just curious what didnt you like about the B&C?
I've got it on a 7MM WSM and the chart and settings you use for that caliber is set up on a long range scale. For the first, main crosshair its zero at 300 yards and the other aim points are good to 600 yards.
This makes the point of impact higher than I like from around 75 to 200 yards where most shots hear in Kentucky never exceed.
I thought it would be great because I have a spot I'm hunting now with shots out to around 500 yards. Its a fine reticle and the charts with the scope are pretty close for the different calibers but I'm going to have to sight it in where I like it at 100 yards and then see how it shoots and make my own chart for longer ranges. Then you have to remember what crosshair is for what range and which line for different cross winds,its too much when your hunting.
If you dont use it all the time for long range shooting its almost in the way(it just kinda clutters up the view) and theres probably very few hunters in Kentucky that can use it to their advantage.
Plus I think I aim a little better with a fine duplex and the B&C is thicker crosshairs than I like.
It does look cool though:D

It may matter on the caliber, a friend of mine has one on a 30-06 and it works a little better on it because he has around 6-8 inches more bullet drop than I do at around 400 and around 12 inches more at 500 so he's was able to use it because his regular crosshair was aiming over the deers back.

[30WCF]

will do :)
I called BPS today and they basically said they couldn't help me and to call ruger.
I'm trying to track down a cheaper set, ruger wants $80 for the rings..

it will all work out i'm sure, i'm just the impatient type and i want to break this thing in..
You might try Brownells or something but I bet the Ruger type rings will be costly.
Did those rings come with the rifle or did they sell you them seperate? If they sold them seperate they should exchange them.

[johnboy]

I've got it on a 7MM WSM and the chart and settings you use for that caliber is set up on a long range scale. For the first, main crosshair its zero at 300 yards and the other aim points are good to 600 yards.
This makes the point of impact higher than I like from around 75 to 200 yards where most shots hear in Kentucky never exceed.
I thought it would be great because I have a spot I'm hunting now with shots out to around 500 yards. Its a fine reticle and the charts with the scope are pretty close for the different calibers but I'm going to have to sight it in where I like it at 100 yards and then see how it shoots and make my own chart for longer ranges. Then you have to remember what crosshair is for what range and which line for different cross winds,its too much when your hunting.
If you dont use it all the time for long range shooting its almost in the way(it just kinda clutters up the view) and theres probably very few hunters in Kentucky that can use it to their advantage.
Plus I think I aim a little better with a fine duplex and the B&C is thicker crosshairs than I like.
It does look cool though:D

It may matter on the caliber, a friend of mine has one on a 30-06 and it works a little better on it because he has around 6-8 inches more bullet drop than I do at around 400 and around 12 inches more at 500 so he's was able to use it because his regular crosshair was aiming over the deers back.

Thanks for the review.. i had originally looked at the LRD but since the B&C was readily available, i figured it would be similar, but it seems less is more in this case.

[johnboy]

You might try Brownells or something but I bet the Ruger type rings will be costly.
Did those rings come with the rifle or did they sell you them seperate? If they sold them seperate they should exchange them.

they came with the rifle.. i've found them for around $60 or so on the net
I'm hoping to find some a little cheaper on ebay though.

[johnboy]

Well i decided to return the scope and get a new one..
I did some research last night on scopes and found, the 50mm isnt really going to bring that much to the table and the higher power is more suited to "out west" style of hunting, which i do plan to do, but limited, most of the time it will be local here in kentucky, and while i do have 1 long range shot on our place, most everything is going to be under 250, and the majority of that is going to be under 150.

so i figured what i had was overkill.
I ended up saving $150 and if you count the rings i would have had to buy, i saved $220

I bought the Leupold VX-III 3.5-10x40
it fits nice and looks good.. now i can FINALLY get out and test this bad boy..

thanks for all the advice and info!

[C.L.Button]

GREAT ! Let us know how it shoots :D

[daking]

This rig should do what you expect it to do.