Scope Mounting 101...

[Dale Moser]

What is the rule of thumb as far as torque for the screws that hold the base to the top of the rifle, and for the ring screws? Is there some way to get close without a torque wrench for that?

Any other scope mounting tips/tricks?

I've always just gone by feel, but some of what I found when I took my old scope off makes me nervous. I did pick up a ring wrench.

[trophy8]

Ring wrench? Elaborate on that.

I use a torque wrench. I'm not good enough to "feel" the difference. It helps me a LOT.

Torque specs vary by maker and rifle. What brand did you get and what's it going on?

[Coach W]

A ring wrench turns the dovetail rings into the dovetail bases..

[Swamplizard79]

Just us the old calibrated elbow on mine.

[Coach W]

I sheared screws until I picked up one of these: http://www.battenfeldtechnologies.co...uct=fat-wrench

I had un level crosshairs until I got these: http://www.battenfeldtechnologies.co...el-Level-Level

And if you are using the dual dovetail rings I strongly suggest this: http://www.battenfeldtechnologies.co...alignment-bars

That's the evolution of my system... I should have just bought the kit years ago: http://www.battenfeldtechnologies.co...e-Mounting-Kit

There's my suggestions... Or just hand tight things, second guess yourself, snap bolts, screws and ruin rings...

At the least get the fat wrench and I can tell you exactly which bolts, screws, fail at what torques... Many years of keeping a note pad on the bench I can now get them as tight as they are going to get without snapping or stressing them.

[OBU13DAD]

good information!

[BURTONboy]

Following this one....

[trophy8]

A ring wrench turns the dovetail rings into the dovetail bases..

oh meh.... i just use a dowel rod lol

[Team Roper]

15# on rings and 30# on bases. A drop of blue locktite on all screws. I always lap my rings.

[one66stang]

spend the cash and dont use the elbow , Borka

http://www.libertyoptics.com/contents/en-us/d108.html

[Cajun Blake]

very informative video , done to all my rifles

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XnvWg7ez-M"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XnvWg7ez-M[/ame]

[JP8]

X2 on Cajun blake.

[Johnny Dangerr]

I use the wife's hair spray on the screws..............

[Tony Pic]

I spun up these 1" scope ring aligners on a friends lathe. If the rings are not aligned...neither will the scope be. No loctite on scope bases.

[Dale Moser]

I used my best judgement, and took as much care as possible to align each ring separately with an old scope, and the leupold wrench.

I may be buying a new rifle scope combo before long, though...and I definitely want that kit with the alignment tools and torque hootus.

Thanks yall!