Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Scopes and Optics => Topic started by: jstone on August 11, 2020, 11:31:39 AM

Title: Scope height question
Post by: jstone on August 11, 2020, 11:31:39 AM: I installed a scope onto my 7mm mag. I installed a solid mount. The middle of the scope is 2” high from top of barrel to the center is the scope. Is this to high? What will the difference be if to high?

Thank you for your responses
Title: Re: Scope height question
Post by: Stein on August 11, 2020, 11:35:43 AM: Scope height is a variable in ballistic calculations.

The other factor is getting a good view through the scope while maintaining a cheek weld.

I always try to mount the scope as low on the rifle as possible, ideally the bell is very close to touching the barrel, but that's for my rifle which doesn't have an adjustable cheek piece.
Title: Re: Scope height question
Post by: buckfvr on August 11, 2020, 01:10:07 PM: Picture, so like said keep it low enough to get your cheek comfortably on the stock, if you cant then get a Karsten cheek pad.
Title: Re: Scope height question
Post by: Bushcraft on August 11, 2020, 04:58:28 PM: Within reason, scope height over bore is largely irrelevant so long as you understand the affect on trajectory.

What you're trying to achieve is a comfortable and repeatable alignment of your eye and the scope with a good cheek weld.
Title: Re: Scope height question
Post by: BigGoonTuna on August 11, 2020, 05:28:15 PM: Close your eyes and shoulder your rifle, then open them. If you’re getting a good sight picture in your scope, then you’re all set. If you have to stretch your neck out some unnatural way then they’re probably too high :chuckle:

Conventional wisdom says to use the lowest rings you can get away with but everyone is different. The American way of shouldering a rifle is to try to crane one’s neck forward and crawl the stock, the Europeans like to shoot with their head straight up, so they like taller mounts.
Title: Re: Scope height question
Post by: jstone on August 11, 2020, 05:44:32 PM: Thank you everyone
Title: Re: Scope height question
Post by: jaymark6655 on August 11, 2020, 07:29:17 PM: I use whatever rings will keep the scope clear of the barrel or stock/chassis. From there its just a question of getting proper eye relief and eye alignment. Only other time it will matter is if you are using a ballistic calculator/app. Cheek pads can help with sight alignment, but butt pad might need adjustment too (if possible).
Title: Re: Scope height question
Post by: birdstew on August 11, 2020, 08:50:55 PM: I’m sure there are some people on here that use see Thru Scope Rings, and those set higher than 2inches.

With many stocks I have a problem with getting proper eye alignment so I got a Bradley cheek rest. No drilling holes in stocks and I can use on more than one rifle.
Title: Re: Scope height question
Post by: fly-by on August 11, 2020, 09:00:51 PM: Your anatomy is a big factor but I find that even with the lowest mounts that allow bell to barrel clearance, I still need to pad the stock. Also consider that going too low may limit rearward travel of the scope between the rings before the bell bumps into the barrel shank, impacting your eye relief.