Thread: How close is too close! Objective bell to barrel.

I have just fitted my scope to my new rifle using low Optilocks. Now the scope is fitted there is only 2mm at best at the closest point. You can just pull a cleaning cloth through the gap. I am thinking it should be ok as long as there is a gap. And the barrel doesn't expand enough to class. Thoughts please would be much appreciated from the large font of knowledge on this page.
Cheers Sam

Looks fine to me.

If you can just pull a patch through the gap, it would be no more than 1.5mm clearance, possibly only 1mm. You have a short scope overhang from the front ring and from what (I think) I can see of the barrel, it doesn't look to be a soda straw. With more overhang and a thin barrel, there is every chance that barrel whip under recoil could contact the scope which isn't ideal.

I once ran 35 thou of clearance with a 1.25" target barrel and got away with it but that was pushing it in my estimation.

I the the objective bell clearance is OK. A possible concern is having the rear ring in contact with the ocular bell, as it appears in your pic, as recoil forces may lead to problems because of this further down the road. Current wisdom is that it's better to have at least a little clearance here.

Im lucky if I can slide a cigarette paper between one of mine been like that for years and had no probs

Looks perfect to me.

The thickness of two sheets of newspaper between barrel and scope on my Finnwolf, been like that for years with no issues.

Two thicknesses of day light,you be fine.

Clearance is clearance, Clarence.

Thanks for the input everyone! Will hit the range at the weekend and see how she goes!

You're all good.

Looks sweet to me. First off * I DO NOT RECOMMEND* but on my mates 7mm rem mag he fitted a scope and it made contact with the barrel so he removed about 1mm of material off the top of the barrel and I thought he was crazy. Ended up making no difference at all and validated to 700m and was still true. My opinion clearance is clearance

Touching is too close

Does the bolt have enough clearance?

If the bolt clears and eye relief is OK for your eye it should be fine. If you have to adjust the eye relief rearwards you might run into a slight issue. I normally set them up like you have, rings as far apart as possible so there is the smallest amount of scope sticking out at either end, as long as they aren't squashing a taper in on the scope body. Unlikely to see it slipping forwards in the rings that way.