Thread: Rings Position on Scope - How close is too close

Just bought a new scope and fitting it to my rifle and realised I may have to get some new bases made up as the rings are very far apart, I've got these set as close together as I can and as you can see it isn't very close! Is this a possible issue?



Any advice would be appreciated.

I would be concerned about that front ring crushing the tube near the objective, ideally it should have at least a mm or two between the tube and where the objective starts to flare, rear ring probably isn't too much drama as long as it doesn't interfere with operation of the magnification adjustment allthough I have had a scope before that was very hard to adjust the magnification with the ring that close and done up tight as the clearances inside the scope must have been very fine and when the ring was tight the adjustment was very stiff to turn. Also with your shown setup you are pretty limited on positioning your scope to suit your eye relief. I would be looking at running a rail or rings with an extended front ring facing backwards.

Actually now I look at the photos again probably just a slightly longer front base (so it extends rearward slightly more) would be a cheap and easy fix. You should really set up your scope where it feels right for you, not where you have no other choice.

Just a thought are the front base screw holes central, I once had a set that were offset, so you could reverse the base, enabling you to change the position of the rings.

@Ryan_Songhurst The front ring sits flush to the front objective but doesn't crush it I was very wary of that don't worry. The magnification ring is tight but it's tight even when it's not on the gun. The eye relief is fine if I'm honest that must just be luck. I am thinking as you say that front base extended backwards would be the cheapest fix. Right looks like a trip to a certain store this afternoon is in order. I have a drill press so drilling them isn't really an issue I just really hate doing very fine jobs like that, always paranoid I will stuff it up.
@Taff Yeah they are central and it is the same set up as you mention, you can reverse them but this is in the "reversed position" to get them as close together as possible. I could cut some of the material away from the base to allow them the rings to move back a touch but there is only about 5mm left till the edge so I'm a hesitant to do that.

No way I'd drill holes into a reciever unless 100% confident.

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Ah, Parker Hale Safari !
Loved my one
If the eye relief works for you, why change things ?

Oh I wouldn't be drilling holes into the receiver at any point! I'd be getting a new rail and making it fit and drilling that!

Yeah good old PH, tack driver on a good day. The eye relief is fine, just worried about the damaging since it close to front lens.

Looks and sounds like it will be sweet, I'd just run with it

I only wish I could have my rings that far apart.
I wouldn't change anything.
Better to have them like that than too close together.

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Originally Posted by R93

I only wish I could have my rings that far apart.
I wouldn't change anything.
Better to have them like that than too close together.

Agreed. The further apart the better.

You can use your scope to carry rifle when you have rings apart like that.

Originally Posted by Frogfeatures

Ah, Parker Hale Safari !
Loved my one
If the eye relief works for you, why change things ?

agree 100% and this set up has added bonus that scope has nowhere to move to..... just make sure your vari ring will still work (had an early redfield that wouldn't move with rings in certain spots)