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How important is lapping?

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Reyn 61 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Reyn 61 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: How important is lapping?
    Posted: April/20/2005 at 21:27
Do all of you guys lap every scope you put on? Ive never lapped and as far as i can see ive never bent one. I also dont shoot 1000yd competitions. I was just wondering how important it is. Are most scopes not aligned in the rings when 1st installed or is nonalignment a problem that only occurs occasionally?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SOTN Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/21/2005 at 01:45

Reyn 61:

 

It's a fix that I've never needed.

 

SOTN

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/21/2005 at 06:29

I have never lapped before, because I have always tried to use quality rings and bases. But, I'm going to start.

 

Even when you do use quality rings/bases, the problem lies with the fact that most factory rifle receivers are not straight. So, lapping can true up everything in one fail swoop, so to speak.

Lapping also eliminates ring marks on your scope. If you ever decide to sell your scope, I believe it's worth more money without ring marks. 

 

I hope I've explained this well enough.

If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
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Reyn 61 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Reyn 61 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/21/2005 at 10:31
Thanks
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ranburr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/21/2005 at 12:58

You will never get the fullest accuracy potential from a scope unless you lap.  I am not saying that you can't be accurate enough without it.  But you are relying on the internal adjustment of the scope to work against the pressures being put on the scope tube.

 

ranburr 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/21/2005 at 19:36

Alternatively, you can use Burris Signature or Signature Zee rings which take care of that misalignment for you.  ALso, B-Square adjustable rings are built in such a way that lapping is not necessary.  When I use other rings I usually check if lapping is needed.

 

Ilya

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SOTN Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/21/2005 at 23:53

ranburr:

How much can you improve the "accuracy potential" of your scope by lapping? 

 

Why wouldn't you be "relying on the internal adjustment of the scope to work against the pressures being put on the scope tube" even if you don't lap?

 

Thanks

SOTN

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ranburr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/22/2005 at 00:16

How much of a difference it makes is dependent on how out of whack you are to start with.  The further you are shooting the more obvious this will become.  As far as the internal adjustments go, you may find yourself needing to make adjustments at a critical time and not have anymore to make because you wasted 15-20 just zeroing in a flexed scope.

 

ranburr

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SOTN Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/22/2005 at 15:20

ranburr:

You said "accuracy potential".  I thought you were talking about "accuracy", rather than the range of adjustments.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote STWSniper Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/23/2005 at 23:39
I agree lapping may be more necessary than some people think. If your receiver is even just a very small amount out of perfect alignment you could be wasting internal adjustments just sighting the scope in. A properly lapped set of rings will also grip the scope better and pretty much eliminate ring marks due to misalignment.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jess Curious Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/24/2005 at 02:21
OK I'm ignorant
Please describe what lapping is and how one does it

Thanks
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote STWSniper Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/24/2005 at 21:48
Lapping is the process where one takes a steel rod that fits into the bottom ring halves. Then apply some compound with fine grit made for lapping rings. The steel rod is worked back and forth through the rings in a figure eight pattern until a good amount of metal is removed. You can easily tell when you are done when most of the bluing inside the rings is removed. This process will ensure better scope to ring contact, and is a neccessity if one is truly serious about mounting a scope the proper way.  Lapping can only be done with rings that split horizontally, by the way.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Brady Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: April/28/2005 at 15:03
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hopperdamage Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/01/2005 at 15:36

Originally posted by STWSniper STWSniper wrote:

Lapping is the process where one takes a steel rod that fits into the bottom ring halves. Then apply some compound with fine grit made for lapping rings. The steel rod is worked back and forth through the rings in a figure eight pattern until a good amount of metal is removed. You can easily tell when you are done when most of the bluing inside the rings is removed. This process will ensure better scope to ring contact, and is a neccessity if one is truly serious about mounting a scope the proper way.  Lapping can only be done with rings that split horizontally, by the way.

 

Will not work with Warne rings then?  Is it needed with Warne rings?

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote STWSniper Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/02/2005 at 00:49
I have never heard of people lapping vertical split rings, but it may be possible. Not sure if it is needed with Warne rings, I guess that would depend more on whether your receiver was tapped and drilled properly.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Stephanie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/02/2005 at 13:34

 Make sure before you lapp your rings that the warranty will still be good if lapped! I know some ring companys will void the warranty once lapped!

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/02/2005 at 13:36
Originally posted by Stephanie Stephanie wrote:

 Make sure before you lapp your rings that the warranty will still be good if lapped! I know some ring companys will void the warranty once lapped!

 

Roger that! Badger is one of them.

Marty @ Badger Ord. no likey lapping!!

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Stephanie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/02/2005 at 13:55
Yep!  so this is a heads up for those who didn't know !!!!!    
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/11/2005 at 21:39
STWSniper hit one of THE most important points. If the receiver base screws are not true and square to the centerline of the bore, then lapping is basically a mote exercise. To ranburr's point, it gves the scope a stress free mounting platform.

Edited by Roy Finn
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/12/2005 at 04:10

Originally posted by Roy Finn Roy Finn wrote:

STWSniper hit one of THE most important points. If the receiver base screws are not true and square to the centerline of the bore, then lapping is basically a mote exercise. To ranburr's point, it gves the scope a stress free mounting platform.

 

According to several gunsmiths, few factory receivers are drilled properly.  

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