Scope Rings Moving – Should I Tighten or Just Replace?

Kia ora team,

I’ve been noticing that my scope rings have shifted, which is throwing off my accuracy, especially at longer distances. The rings I’m using are Ranger scope rings, so they’re on the cheaper side. I haven’t re-tightened them yet but am planning to take my setup to Gun City so they can re tighten them.

Is it common practice to need to re-tighten scope rings, or does it typically mean they should be replaced? If replacement is the way to go, I’d love any recommendations on reliable, secure rings to avoid this issue in the future.

Thanks for the help!

Cheers,

FYI, I purchased my rifle as a package from them, so everything was already set up. That’s why I’m hoping to find out if this issue is fixable or if I just made a poor choice with the setup haha.

You need to tell us more about your set up, rifle, calibre etc

sweet, the rifle is a tikka t3x elite chambered in 308 WIN.

Ideally, you tighten them with a torque wrench if you dont have Experienced hands ( gunsmiths seem to donit by feel- amateurs by number) If you overtighten eg a litlle bit tighter every month, they can strip. Recommended settings are 25 in.lb for the horizontal cross screws and 15 in.lb fir the vertical cap screws.

You should not see any movement in your scope so do sort it out. Its worth buying good rings they are a couple of hundred dollars. Gun City will be happy to find some for you. People on this forum can recommend good reliable brands. Ive used Leupold, Sports Match and Sako Optilocks but there are others equal or better out there.

Tikka has a slightly unique rail size so your options could be limited. If you can afford it get Tikka Optilocks. Top quality rings will save you money in ammoand petrol for repeat sighting in plus of course better for shooting animals.

You can try Loctite 609 retaining compound, drop of each inside your rings and underneath your rail, medium strength & comes off easily with a wee bit of heat from heat gun.
Be careful screwing too hard on ring caps, you can crush them and jam up the moving parts inside the scope.

What scope?

The quality of the rings you are using isn’t consistent with the quality of the rifle. Sort of like putting supercats on a Mercedes.

If you upgrade your rings (which would be a pragmatic starting point) I would vote to make sure you have a robust scope at the same time. It will save you a secound session of sighting in.

Recommended brands of rings would include Warne and Talley. This statement doesn’t detract from the suggestion above of Tikka Optilocks.

I'm guessing the scope is moving in the rings?

These days I get a latex glove and cut a finger "ring" the same width as the scope ring. I then stretch it over the scope, 1 for each mount.
Then fit the scope.
Being latex it grips pretty well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by longshot

What scope?

The quality of the rings you are using isn’t consistent with the quality of the rifle. Sort of like putting supercats on a Mercedes.

If you upgrade your rings (which would be a pragmatic starting point) I would vote to make sure you have a robust scope at the same time. It will save you a secound session of sighting in.

Recommended brands of rings would include Warne and Talley. This statement doesn’t detract from the suggestion above of Tikka Optilocks.

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The Scope is a burris fulfield 4 2.5-10. still deciding if im wanting to upgrade it

Most of my cross bolts are 50in-lb or more only my leupold prw2 are less .

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TakaRat

The Scope is a burris fulfield 4 2.5-10. still deciding if im wanting to upgrade it

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Shouldn’t be anything wrong with a burris as far as holding zero.

If it were me, I would just be getting a decent set of rings and re mounting the scope. Re-zeroing is the biggest input here, and you will need to re-zero anyway if your current rings are loose.

I love my Leupolds but have to agree with @longshot here. Leave alone what doesn't need fixed. If after you have issues sorted and are happy shooting again you decide you desire different glass,by all means change it out,but wise man once said" if it ain't broke don't try to fix it". When ladies weren't present the fix it bit changed to something more.......earthly.