How To Measure Scope Ring Height?

While purchasing a new pair of rings for your scope, the first hurdle is selecting the height of your new scope rings. If you don’t have any previous experience of using a pair of scope rings, then chances are, you are quite foreign to finding the right height of the scope ring.

Don’t worry, you are here to find an easy way to measure scope height and scope ring height. And that’s exactly what you are about to find out. Without any further ado, let’s begin.

Use The Right Tools

Before you begin the process, you will need to make sure you have the right sets of tools for the business.

The most accurate way of reading any measurements regarding firearms is by using calipers. They have millimeter readings which are quite handy when it comes to measurement and fixing alignment.

If you don’t have calipers at your disposal, then the next best thing is using a ruler. But with a ruler, you will need to eyeball a lot. And that’s not 100% accurate, there is always room for improvement.

Measuring From Base To Center

There is an easy way to measure this information. Take the diameter of your objective lens in millimeters. Then add around 2 to 4m for the thickness of your scope body. Often, the manufacturer gives this information in their specs sheet.

If you want the equation of this process, it’s (diameter + 2-4 mm)/2 = scope ring height.

Measuring From Base To Ring Edge

This process is a bit trickier, but it’s doable nonetheless. Divide the scope tube by 2 and add the scope ring height that your manufacturer provided. For example, 1 1-inch tube is 25.4 mm thick, half of that will be 12.7 mm.

Now, let’s do some more mathematics. Now, divide your objective lens by 2 and ensure that the number is smaller relative to the scope ring height. For this process, you will need the calipers. There is no workaround for this.

If you want a bit of generalization of this information, you can follow the chart below.

40-42mm: Low
44mm: Medium
50mm: High
55mm+: Extra High

Tools For Mounting Your Scope

Now, it’s the fun part. The part where we install the scope and use it for shooting. Here are some recommended tools that you will need to install the scope ring on your gun.

A Gun Vise

Often, people think that they will not require a gun vise and just can hold the gun straight for the installation process.

The point of a gun vise is to keep the gun steady. A gun vise will come in handy in your future endeavors as well. And the gun vise is a must for leveling your scope rings.

A Torque Wrench

A torque wrench is a must-have in every hunter’s arsenal. A torque wrench allows you to tighten the nuts according to the manufacturer’s specifications. If you overtighten it, you could strip the threads of your gun. If you underdo it, then your scope will slip from the recoil of your gun. So, get a torque wrench asap.

A Crosshair Level

These horizontal crosshairs are level. Thus the name. In a combination of your gun vise, this will level your scope. Here is a guide on how to level your scope. Refer to that for the entire process.

Boresight And Loctite

Boresight for zeroing your scope without firing a shot and Loctite to tighten the scope rings with the scope. Keep in mind, that less is more. Don’t put in too much Loctite. If you do, you will have a nightmare trying to remove the scope in the future.

Conclusion

And there you have it folks. A simple, easy, and straightforward guide on how to measure scope ring height and install the scope ring on your gun. I know it might seem like a hassle at first, but it’s not really a big deal. Having the right sets of tools makes the entire thing easy. Just keep that much in mind.

And that’s all for now folks. Hope you found this guide useful and easy to understand. Thanks for reading as usual and hope to see you on the next one.

Brent Hansford

Hi, I’m Brent Hansford. A writer turned hunter & now sharing my love for the sport through writing. As I practically breathe weapons, I firmly believe I’m capable of providing you with new knowledge about firearms and hunting. My mission is to help more people get better at hunting & master the weapons. Let me help with unleashing the beast within you!