Why is Scope Ring Height Important?
Generally, you want to mount the scope as close as you can to the bore without the scope touching the rifle. If the objective bell touches the barrel and the barrel whips while firing which they do, then it could affect your zero and even damage your scope. You can use our parts finder tool, or you can use the formula below to determine the right height you need.
How to Calculate Scope Ring Height for Your Rifle
Warne offers rings in various heights and diameters to accommodate most rifle scope combinations. To determine the required ring height, you must factor in scope tube radius, scope objective bell radius, and the thickness of your scope bases or rail.
Radius is ½ the diameter or diameter divided by 2.
In the example below we’ll use a 3-15x50 scope with a 30mm tube and we’re going to convert all our dimensions to inches since that’s how most ring heights (in the USA) are measured.
The formula is:
Or minus Tr minus Bh = Mrh
- Or = Objective Radius
- Tr = Tube Radius
- Bh = Base or rail height measured at the front of the receiver
- Mrh = Minimum ring height
The 50mm (glass) scope objective measures 58mm or 2.28 inches in diameter (divide by 2) and we get a 1.14-inch radius.
The 30mm scope tube is 1.18 inches in diameter, divide by 2 for a .59 inch radius.
We’ll be using a Picatinny rail in the example that is .312 inches thick at the front of the receiver.
- Or = 1.14
- Tr = .59
- Bh = .312
1.14 - .59 - .312 = .238
Mrh = .238
We’ll need a set of rings that are at least .238 inches tall to fit the scope on this rifle, for Warne that will be a 30mm Low ring since our low rings measure between .250 and .275 depending on which style.
In a second example, we’ll use a 3-15 x 50 but with a 1-inch tube and a 2-piece base set.
The same 1.14 objective radius minus the .500 (radius of 1 inch tube) = .64 inches and our 2-piece front base is .150, so .64 minus .150 = .490 inch which would require a Warne 1-inch High ring to fit.
- Or = 1.14
- Tr = .50
- Bh = .150
1.14 - .50 - .150 = .490
Mrh = .490
Other Factors When Determining Scope Ring Height
It’s also important to factor barrel contour in relation to position of your scope and scope design for example if a person is using a scope with a large objective and is positioning the scope too far back due to eyesight, or way they hold the rifle, they may require higher rings for the objective not to touch the barrel. Also, rear sights or other modifications as these may require additional height to clear the scope over the firearm.
As a default, if you can’t find the exact objective radius, it’s safe to add 8mm to the manufactures’ “glass” dimension, so most 50 mm objectives are 58mm in diameter and so on…'
We also have a calculator you can use to do the math for you. Scope Ring Height Calculator.
Warne has been specializing in scope rings for over 30 years. We engineer our mounts for precise fit and test them to ensure they will last a lifetime and we back them with a lifetime warranty. Be sure to check out or selection of Scope Rings and our Bases and Rails.