Thread: Scope mounting - What to do?

I have a Ruger M77 with the issued medium height Ruger integrated rings.
The problem I have with the 6-18x44mm Redfield scope, is that I should probably get the next higher ring to lift the scope higher (or a SunOptics Ruger Picatinny rail).
As it sits now I have to move the scope forward by 20mm to just clear the barrel from the objective lens (we're talking cigarette rolling paper thinness clearance). However, by moving the scope forward to clear the barrel I am extending the eye relief to 20mm too far, which results in me moving my neck/head forward uncomfortably.

So the two options available to me to be able to move the scope back to correct eye-relief are:
1 - Purchase either a higher Ruger ring or a SunOptics Ruger/Picatinny rail $100 (which would allow me to fit standard Weaver rings).
2 - Cut 25mm of wood off the butt and sand down the recoil pad to fit again (DIY).

What option sounds the most reasonable? And is 'Zig-Zag' rolling paper thinness enough clearance of scope/barrel?