Lapping scope rings

[jjw]

How important is it to lap scope rings before mounting your scope? I am in between whether to do so or not on my new sav .300 win mag. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[antleraddiction]

I could say it is very important as I have lapped all my rings for many years before installing a scope and have yet to find a scope ring that was 100% true. However most the guys I shoot with have never lapped and no problems. So the choice is really yours.

I lap to remove any potential for problems down the road. After I lap the rings I place white labels(trimmed to size) on the underside of the ring to ensure I get a solid lock up when clamping down the torque's and to prevent any marring of the tube. I also count the revolutions of the base screws for bottoming out of the taps prior to mounting the actual base. Then I attach with the base and ensure the screw is not bottoming out prior to the bases being tight (so count the revolutions again when tightening). If things are good I remove and blue loctite the base screws then re-install(if not I take off material from the screw to ensure I get a tight base fit before loctite is applied). I don't loctite the ring screws but do check them routinely (especially after intial install). Is any or all of this required? Probably not but it has become my routine and works.

Good Luck