Thread: How low is too low, scope/ barrel clearance

Originally Posted by kiwiazonic

New scope mount arrived from USA, but looking way too low, only a millimetre if that between the barrel and scope. What do you guys think, too low?



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As long as they are not touching , then this should be fine. If you want to move the scope forward a fraction, the gap will open up as the barrel tapers away. You have the widest part of the scope on top of the widest part of the camber and there is still clearance. As @RUMPY stated, heat could be an issue with a string of shots, but if you are rattling through a pack or more of 7mmRM each time you use it, you can afford to buy higher rings...(I wouldn't do either- I would use it as you have it as that is how I set mine up...)

watch this vid and you decide for yourself

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5pV..._channel=russr

Originally Posted by Ultimitsu

watch this vid and you decide for yourself

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5pV..._channel=russr

Milled grooves in the action vs an unsupported rail?
Not quite the same let alone the calibre difference.
Interesting vid. though!

Theres a gap,a few shots now and then wont hurt it.Or just slide scope forward a fraction,go hunting.

I think that scope has a tad too much gap between the scope and the rifle, find a set of rings a few thou lower and try them, will help oh so much with cheek weld too apparently...............

I reckon it’s fine. Sight her in and go hunting.

As long as the scope has enough room for a business card to slip between all good
You have more than enough Clearance I can see that just looking at the photo

So yes it’s fine but the main thing is it comfortable you want to be able to close your eyes sholder the rifle and when you open your eyes be looking perfectly down the scope
If it’s too low you will be looking over the top if the scope in your natural shooting Position
You want come up and be right there without having to move your head

Perfectly fine in my experience - I fit my scopes the same.

If you are running a moderator/silencer then you are going to learn about heat haze/mirage real fast.

Originally Posted by rambo-6mmrem

As long as the scope has enough room for a business card to slip between all good

But the OP said there is not enough room for a business card.
I wouldn't expect much barrel movement that close to the action, so it should be okay, but if it was me I would be taking into consideration how much the scope costs...

I’ve got two rifles set that close to the barrel. Both are fine.

As already suggested, if it's a conern (and it wouldn't concern me) move the scope a tad forward. It appears to already be on the apex point. As long as it doesn't compromise your eye relief. From what I've seen with a lot of photos on the forum a lot of scopes appear to me to be mounted too far back at any rate. Not saying this is the cas wit the OP.
And your eye relief can never be optimum for all situations ie bench shooting, prone, shooting uphill, shooting downhill all can have an effect on distance from eye to ocular that may have been optimum at off hand.

I've got scopes so low I've had to grind the bottom out of the scope caps to get the caps to fit.

I always aim for around 1mm clearance. Scopes set too high off the barrel tickle my OCD.

I have one rifle that the scope is about 3 sheets of paper off the barrel and have noticed no problems at all.

Its fine ,l would query if you have proper eye relief but your eye brow will soon find out.

When l had the Long Range Hunting bug l have ran a 338 Edge, 300 RUM & 300 Wby Mag among others over the years & 1000's of shots ,they at varying stages had large scopes like the S&B PMII 5-25x56 ,Leupold Mark 4 6.5-20x50mm LR/T & NF ATACR - 5-25x56mm & 4-16×42 all mounted as low as they could go with optimum eye relief ,a folded $10 slid under was the standard minimum .

Rifles were hunted hard in all conditions around the world from knee deep snow for Elk & Caribou to 40 Celsius plus Central Australian Desert heat, dropping multiple Jesus Taxis & Camels & did this for years & never any problem .

Here is the official LEUPOLD TACTICAL RIFLESCOPE USERS MANUAL ,scopes designed to take the abuse of extended fire by large calibers used by Military & LEO in all conditions .


" HOW TO INSTALL THE SCOPE
THE LOWER THE SCOPE, THE BETTER
A scope mounted close to the rifle ensures proper cheek weld
on the stock for a stable firing position and allows for rapid
target acquisition . We recommend using the lowest possible ring
height . No specific clearance is required, but the scope must
clear the bolt handle, hammer (on lever actions and handguns),
sights, and barrel . When installed, be sure that your scope
does not interfere with firearm operation and does not contact
anything except the mount rings .

https://www.leupold.com/media/manual...ers-manual.pdf

Originally Posted by dogmatix

Watch a rifle fire in super slow mo.
You'll be amazed how much the barrel and receiver flexes under recoil.

Yep, and large (heavy) scopes on high mounts take the greatest beating.