Ruger Rings MKII Hawkeye

[Sable_338]

Just purchased my first Ruger rifle in .375 Ruger. This will be a dedicated Cape Buffalo gun. Ruger Shooters, do you use the factory supplied rings or do you purchase others like Warne or Alaskan Arms? The factory rings appear to definitely need lapping. Do you guys lap the Ruger factory rings on your rifles, if you use them?

 

[sierraone]

If your Ruger rifle is new, the factory issued rings are usually on the cheap side (needing lapping for example). And they are all 1 inch rings. And I use 30 mm scopes and have to buy other rings anyway, so I have been using 30 mm Leupold rings. And so far haven't had issues with the Leupold rings. If I were planning on using a 1 inch tube scope, (I have in the past) I would try the issued rings, but expect to have to smooth them out.

 

[ActionBob]

If you read the instructions in the book. Ruger rings are machined as a unit and are to be kept together the way they came. If you assemble them exactly the same way as they came apart. I mean do not even turn the top half around. Doing that I have had good luck with them.

However I recently bought a slightly used gun and the guy sent the rings and screws all apart and mixed up in a ziplock bag. Those did not go together well.

A lot of people really like the Alaska rings and they may be well worth the investment for a dedicated DG rifle where you may have a situation where you want to pop the scope to use iron sights. And then put it back on. Although if I remember correctly, you need to keep those matched up same as the Ruger factory ones. Difference is on a custom set, people generally seem to read directions and pay attention to those details. For some reason factory stuff does not always get the same care.

BTW, you can remove and replace a scope with Ruger factory scope rings and expect it to return to zero if you are carefull how you tighten it back up.

 

[sierraone]

Sable, I was the one who sent @ActionBob those disassembled rings in the bag. The rifle and rings that I sent him had a low end Nikon scope on it and he wasn't interested in the scope so I kept it. So as a result of your thread, I also learned something from Bob's answer to you. Though I will in most cases still use 30 mm tube scopes resulting in me buying 30 mm rings. So lesson learned, keep the individual ring pieces together as one!

 

[ActionBob]

Sable, I was the one who sent @ActionBob those disassembled rings in the bag. The rifle and rings that I sent him had a low end Nikon scope on it and he wasn't interested in the scope so I kept it. So as a result of your thread, I also learned something from Bob's answer to you. Though I will in most cases still use 30 mm tube scopes resulting in me buying 30 mm rings. So lesson learned, keep the individual ring pieces together as one!

David you are one of the guilty parties

 

[sierraone]

David you are one of the guilty parties

So then, I am not the only one that learned something from your post?

 

[Sable_338]

Terrific... already had the rings out to try a test fit and I have no doubt I have not keep the top halfs orientated as they came in the box plus I dropped two of the screws on the carpet and they are no where to be found ... I think I'll just buy Warne and have peace of mind. Plan to use a VX-III 2.5-8X 36 w/Heavy Duplex I have on hand for now but will eventually upgrade the glass as well as the stock.

 

[ActionBob]

Terrific... already had the rings out to try a test fit and I have no doubt I have not keep the top halfs orientated as they came in the box plus I dropped two of the screws on the carpet and they are no where to be found ... I think I'll just buy Warne and have peace of mind. Plan to use a VX-III 2.5-8X 36 w/Heavy Duplex I have on hand for now but will eventually upgrade the glass as well as the stock.

Does Warn make a set to fit those Ruger dovetails, or whatever you call that mounting system?

 

[Sable_338]

Found these on the web: https://warnescopemounts.com/product/1r7-1-inch-ruger-m77-fixed-medium-rings/

 

[ActionBob]

Found these on the web: https://warnescopemounts.com/product/1r7-1-inch-ruger-m77-fixed-medium-rings/

Nice, but tough to remove if your want the scope off to follow up a buffalo... I would personally stay with the factory or order Alaskans. I have the 1-5 version of that scope on my Ruger Mark II in 505 Gibbs and have had no issues with the factory rings.

 

[lwaters]

I did know that about Ruger rings.

 

[CAustin]

Sir I have never had any issues with Ruger rings and own or have owned four Ruger #1 s, a Guide Gun, and a Compact M77. They come with 1 inch rings as mentioned but 30 mm can be purchased!

 

[Dwight Beagle]

I’ve mounted quite a few scopes for people with Ruger factory rings. For lack of a better term I find them kind of funky. When the screws start feeling tight you are only halfway there, I don’t know how to explain it better. I don’t care for them and don’t have a rational reason to because when it’s all said and done they work very well if mounted correctly.

 

[ActionBob]

I’ve mounted quite a few scopes for people with Ruger factory rings. For lack of a better term I find them kind of funky. When the screws start feeling tight you are only halfway there, I don’t know how to explain it better. I don’t care for them and don’t have a rational reason to because when it’s all said and done they work very well if mounted correctly.

Good way to explain them

Once I got used to them, and learned to be careful to use them correctly, I actually like them. I'm sure the factor that makes them act as you describe is the way they are tapered or cut to fit into the slots. I'm always careful to have that "cut" lined up as good as I can so I get less of the funkiness. And then tighten after a couple shots, although if I get it all right, they will stay tight.

 

[Graham Hunter]

I and several friends use the Alaskan. These are on dedicated DG rifles. Have been very successful.

 

[cagkt3]

Nice, but tough to remove if your want the scope off to follow up a buffalo... I would personally stay with the factory or order Alaskans. I have the 1-5 version of that scope on my Ruger Mark II in 505 Gibbs and have had no issues with the factory rings.

Warne does make a QD option for the M77. That being said, I really like the Alaskans I bought for my CZ and think I will try them on my Rugers as well.

https://warnescopemounts.com/product/14r7l-30mm-ruger-m77-quick-detach-medium-rings/

 

[AWLee]

With NIB Ruger rings I put witness marks. Vertical lines lightly stamped or cut on the right side of the rings catching both top and bottom, 1 on the front and 2 on the rear.
Ruger factory rings are very good for what they are but Alaska Arms rings are the way to go, especially if you plan to remove your scope to use irons. I can have mine off in under 3 seconds, no tools required and it always returns to zero.

 

[Red Devil]

Ruger Rings - have some advantages.
- They come w/ the rifle.
- Ruger will replace them w/ a different height or size, gratis, upon request.
- They are QD with a large coin (Quarter) and are field accurate when reinstalled.

Me?
1. Index - the bases and caps with tape/marker/paint/or fingernail polish.
2. Grease - all the cap and mounting screws and dogs.
3. Line - the bottom and top 60 deg. of the inside of the bases/caps (scope bearing surfaces) w/ 3M vinyl electrical tape.
4. Mount the bases and scope and lightly torque the caps and let sit for a day.
5. Re-torque the caps and let sit for a day.
6. Remove the caps and scope and slice away the tape sprue with a blade.
7. Re-mount scope, set, and torque.

This gives a fit analogous to being painted in, w/ almost 100% of bearing surfaces in contact. The greased screws are easier to regulate and will torque up and hold with a lot less force.




Red

 

[Tim Blackwell]

I run the Warne permanently fixed rings on my M77 Mk. II 350 Rem Mag after I had slipping trouble with the originals. I like them a lot....not overly pretty, but strong.