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How important is lapping? |
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Reyn 61
Optics GrassHopper Joined: April/09/2005 Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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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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SOTN
Optics GrassHopper Joined: April/07/2005 Status: Offline Points: 13 |
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Reyn 61:
It's a fix that I've never needed.
SOTN |
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cheaptrick
MODERATOR Joined: September/27/2004 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20844 |
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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. |
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Reyn 61
Optics GrassHopper Joined: April/09/2005 Status: Offline Points: 11 |
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ranburr
Optics Master Joined: May/16/2004 Status: Offline Points: 1082 |
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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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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13181 |
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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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SOTN
Optics GrassHopper Joined: April/07/2005 Status: Offline Points: 13 |
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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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ranburr
Optics Master Joined: May/16/2004 Status: Offline Points: 1082 |
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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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SOTN
Optics GrassHopper Joined: April/07/2005 Status: Offline Points: 13 |
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ranburr: You said "accuracy potential". I thought you were talking about "accuracy", rather than the range of adjustments. SOTN |
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STWSniper
Optics Apprentice Joined: April/05/2005 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 262 |
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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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Jess Curious
Optics GrassHopper Joined: April/05/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 10 |
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OK I'm ignorant
Please describe what lapping is and how one does it Thanks |
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STWSniper
Optics Apprentice Joined: April/05/2005 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 262 |
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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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Brady
TEAM SWFA - Admin Casino Cruiser Joined: May/20/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1844 |
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hopperdamage
Optics GrassHopper Joined: May/08/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9 |
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Will not work with Warne rings then? Is it needed with Warne rings? |
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STWSniper
Optics Apprentice Joined: April/05/2005 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 262 |
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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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Stephanie
Optics GrassHopper Optics Goddess Joined: February/13/2004 Location: Native Texan Status: Offline Points: 1502 |
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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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cheaptrick
MODERATOR Joined: September/27/2004 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20844 |
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Roger that! Badger is one of them. Marty @ Badger Ord. no likey lapping!! |
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Stephanie
Optics GrassHopper Optics Goddess Joined: February/13/2004 Location: Native Texan Status: Offline Points: 1502 |
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Yep! so this is a heads up for those who didn't know !!!!!
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Roy Finn
MODERATOR Steiner Junkie Joined: April/05/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4856 |
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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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cheaptrick
MODERATOR Joined: September/27/2004 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20844 |
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According to several gunsmiths, few factory receivers are drilled properly. |
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