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Minimum clearance between scope bell and barrel?

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twofer View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote twofer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Minimum clearance between scope bell and barrel?
    Posted: March/23/2009 at 20:20
Hi All,
 
I just received my Kahles CL 4-12x52mm scope that I wouldn't have bought except it was so cheap.  (Everyone is running scared on the Kahles rumors, and I got a great deal on this brand new scope). 
 
The scope will be used for load development and target shooting on my elk rifle, which is a Kimber Montana in .300 WSM, i.e. a very light contour barrel in a light rifle with a fair bit of recoil.  This rifle normally wears a Kahles CL 3-9x42mm when out in the field after elk.  The rifle has medium hieght Talley One-Piece Lightweights scope mounts. 
 
The 3-9x42mm sits a little high in these mounts with about 1/4" between the scope bell and the rifle barrel (in fact, I am thinking about trying out the lower Talley mount).  The 4-12x52mm scope just barely clears the barrel, with about a 1.5-2mm gap.
 
I know that in recoil the rifle barrel will be flexing and the scope will also be flexing.  I also know that the intial motion will be for the scope to bend downward toawrds the barrel  (actually, the rifle will be moving upwards into the scope).  I am guessing that if the two do make contact, it will a hard sharp blow which could cause some damage to the scope.  I don't want to find out the hard way by busting up my Teutonic glass on the first shot.
 
How much room do I need between the rifle barrel and the scope bell to ensure that the two don't make contact during recoil? 
 
Thanks.
 
--twofer
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silver View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote silver Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/23/2009 at 20:38
Get Your Popcorn Ready
"If we weren't all crazy we, We would go insane."   Jimmie Buffet

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Dale Clifford View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dale Clifford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/23/2009 at 20:40
usually a post card or credit card works great, ----as a side note-- if the bell does touch the barrel and the rings are torgued down the bell would be actually torqueing against the barrel, and is usually the problem, not that the bell is just touching the barrel.
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twofer View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote twofer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/23/2009 at 20:50
Dale Clifford - so the thickness of a credit card is all that is needed to ensure that the scope bell and the rifle barrel won't make contact during recoil?  That is good news.
 
I wonder if there is a way to verify that the two don't touch during recoil?
 
--shinbone
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Tip69 View Drop Down
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Tip Stick

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tip69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/23/2009 at 22:27
put some tinfoil in between them - should be able to tell if there is a mark in the foil after the shot.
take em!
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twofer View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote twofer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/24/2009 at 07:16

Tip69 - Excellant suggestion!  Thanks.

--twofer

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Ed Connelly View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ed Connelly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/24/2009 at 09:16
Originally posted by twofer twofer wrote:

Dale Clifford - so the thickness of a credit card is all that is needed to ensure that the scope bell and the rifle barrel won't make contact during recoil?  That is good news.
 
I wonder if there is a way to verify that the two don't touch during recoil?
 
--shinbone
 
High speed photography....or just faith. 
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Dale Clifford View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dale Clifford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/24/2009 at 09:32
if the bell isn't touching after the scope rings are tight -- you won't have any trouble.
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hunter12345 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hunter12345 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/24/2009 at 10:25
I have a VX-II 50 bell on my 338 Win mag with it barely touching the barrel.Lock Tite down and over 50 shots without a problem.As long as the barrel is not coming into contact with the scope you should be ok. 
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