Scope Rings and Mounts
Also called: rings, bases, scope mount
The hardware that holds a scope on a rifle. Good mounting keeps the scope aligned and the zero steady.
- Type
- Tools & Accessories
- Parts
- Bases attach to the receiver; rings clamp the scope tube
- Ring size
- Must match the tube diameter, such as 1 inch or 30 mm
- Height
- Low enough for a good cheek weld, high enough to clear the barrel and bell
- Used for
- Hunting, Target shooting
Safety: Mount a scope with the firearm unloaded, the action open, and pointed in a safe direction. Follow the mount and scope instructions.
What it is good for
- Keeping a zero through recoil.
- Matching the scope to the rifle.
- A comfortable shooting position.
Where it falls short
- Cheap or poorly fitted mounts can shift.
- Over-tightening can damage a scope tube.
- Wrong height makes shooting uncomfortable.
Tips
- Use a torque wrench set to the maker's specification.
- Check screws after the first range session.
Works well with
- Variable-Power Scope: the usual scope mounted.
- Eye Relief: set when you slide the scope in the rings.
Field notes
Set the scope forward or back in the rings until you get a full, clear picture with your head in its natural shooting position.
Related guides
Specs here are typical, not guarantees; models differ, so check the maker's published numbers. Never look at the Sun through any optic without a certified solar filter, and zero or mount a scope with the firearm unloaded and pointed in a safe direction. Rules on optics, such as scopes on certain hunts or lasers and electronics, differ by state; our state resources directory links to each state's official regulations. Want a buying guide? Read Choosing Hunting Optics.