Just got my first rifle

Camocrimsontide · March 5, 2013, 12:37 PM

After doing a lot of research on rifles and scopes I've just purchased my first rifle. I decided to go with a Ruger American in a 308 win and I went with a Nikon prostaff nikoplex scope 3-9 x 50. I'm going to take it to a local gunsmith to have it mounted. I would rather purchase the mounting rings myself because I know the gun shop has the expensive type. So my question to you all is with my scope being 50 and larger on the end should I get regular 1 inch rings or higher rings to lift the scope off the gun? Keep in mind I'm a smaller female and I don't want to have to strain to shoot with my cheek not able to rest on the stock.

gundog5 · March 5, 2013, 01:01 PM

from my experence, you are going to have some issues. First, with the 50mm you are going to need at least medium hight rings as the scope MUST clear the barrel and the second is your head will not get a good solid press aginst the stock. My wife and adult daughter have this same issue. My first recommendation would be to take the scope back and get a 40mm scope as they will mount with standard rings. You will most likely also need a slide on cheek rest in order to get a good cheek rest and align your eye to the scope.

Camocrimsontide · March 5, 2013, 03:34 PM

I've got the cheek rest from Ruger and its pretty comfortable. I hate to take the scope back but it may be for the best. Thanks for the info.

Brian Pfleuger · March 5, 2013, 04:07 PM

I wouldn't bother paying a gunsmith to install the scope. Get yourself a set of Burris Signature rings, there's no sense in paying hundreds of dollars for a rifle and scope and then saving $20 on a set of rings. If you have a bit-driver with appropriate bits and enough aptitude to change a light bulb, you can install a scope.

Camocrimsontide · March 5, 2013, 07:23 PM

I didn't think it would be hard to mount it. Thanks

Captains1911 · March 5, 2013, 07:50 PM

Don't confuse ring size (diameter) with height. Regardless of which height (low, medium, high) rings you need, they should be 1-inch diameter to match the diameter of the scope tube.

SSA · March 5, 2013, 08:13 PM

If you want to keep the scope you have, keep it.
A DNZ gamereaper mount might be a good way to go with that combination. Not the cheapest, but cheaper than a gunsmith. 1" and medium height.

sunaj · March 5, 2013, 08:14 PM

Congrats on your first rifle

sunaj

gundog5 · March 5, 2013, 09:30 PM

Wasn't trying to discourage you. Sounds like you really like that scope. Might want to try attaching the lower half of your rings onto the rifle and carfully set the scope in. Put your cheek rest on first and get in a comfortable shooting position and see if you can see through the scope without lifting your head off the cheek rest. That will #1 not scratch the scope and #2 give you an idea as to if the scope is two high or not. And don't let anyone tell you that a 308 doesn't kick much because while it certainly does not have magnum recoil, it will thump you. So you want a good solid position.

Mauser8mm · March 6, 2013, 03:45 PM

Get the lowest rings possible as long as it is not hitting your barrel it is fine. Also Ruger does make a cheekrest with a pouch for ammo. Very nice product.

Camocrimsontide · March 7, 2013, 09:58 PM

Thanks for all the info. I've ordered Burris signature 1" medium rings. I'll do as suggested and put the bottom half on the rifle to see how it sits. If it doesn't work out I can send the rings and scope back and get what I need. I definitely want to be comfortable with it. I've just gotten so anxious to shoot it. Lol

March 5, 2013, 04:07 PM	#4
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	I wouldn't bother paying a gunsmith to install the scope. Get yourself a set of Burris Signature rings, there's no sense in paying hundreds of dollars for a rifle and scope and then saving $20 on a set of rings. If you have a bit-driver with appropriate bits and enough aptitude to change a light bulb, you can install a scope. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

March 6, 2013, 03:45 PM	#10
Mauser8mm Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2012 Location: Near Gainesville Fl. Posts: 224	The Closer, The Better Get the lowest rings possible as long as it is not hitting your barrel it is fine. Also Ruger does make a cheekrest with a pouch for ammo. Very nice product. __________________ Criminals obey gun laws in the same way politicians follow their oaths to office - Anonymous It's better to be silent and called a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt

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March 5, 2013, 12:37 PM	#1
Camocrimsontide Junior Member Join Date: March 5, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 4	Just got my first rifle After doing a lot of research on rifles and scopes I've just purchased my first rifle. I decided to go with a Ruger American in a 308 win and I went with a Nikon prostaff nikoplex scope 3-9 x 50. I'm going to take it to a local gunsmith to have it mounted. I would rather purchase the mounting rings myself because I know the gun shop has the expensive type. So my question to you all is with my scope being 50 and larger on the end should I get regular 1 inch rings or higher rings to lift the scope off the gun? Keep in mind I'm a smaller female and I don't want to have to strain to shoot with my cheek not able to rest on the stock.

March 5, 2013, 01:01 PM	#2
gundog5 Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2013 Posts: 116	from my experence, you are going to have some issues. First, with the 50mm you are going to need at least medium hight rings as the scope MUST clear the barrel and the second is your head will not get a good solid press aginst the stock. My wife and adult daughter have this same issue. My first recommendation would be to take the scope back and get a 40mm scope as they will mount with standard rings. You will most likely also need a slide on cheek rest in order to get a good cheek rest and align your eye to the scope.

March 5, 2013, 03:34 PM	#3
Camocrimsontide Junior Member Join Date: March 5, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 4	I've got the cheek rest from Ruger and its pretty comfortable. I hate to take the scope back but it may be for the best. Thanks for the info.

March 5, 2013, 07:23 PM	#5
Camocrimsontide Junior Member Join Date: March 5, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 4	I didn't think it would be hard to mount it. Thanks

March 5, 2013, 07:50 PM	#6
Captains1911 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2009 Location: West of the Blue Ridge, VA Posts: 684	Don't confuse ring size (diameter) with height. Regardless of which height (low, medium, high) rings you need, they should be 1-inch diameter to match the diameter of the scope tube.

March 5, 2013, 08:13 PM	#7
SSA Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Posts: 641	If you want to keep the scope you have, keep it. A DNZ gamereaper mount might be a good way to go with that combination. Not the cheapest, but cheaper than a gunsmith. 1" and medium height.

March 5, 2013, 08:14 PM	#8
sunaj Junior member Join Date: February 27, 2013 Location: California Posts: 84	Congrats on your first rifle sunaj

March 5, 2013, 09:30 PM	#9
gundog5 Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2013 Posts: 116	Wasn't trying to discourage you. Sounds like you really like that scope. Might want to try attaching the lower half of your rings onto the rifle and carfully set the scope in. Put your cheek rest on first and get in a comfortable shooting position and see if you can see through the scope without lifting your head off the cheek rest. That will #1 not scratch the scope and #2 give you an idea as to if the scope is two high or not. And don't let anyone tell you that a 308 doesn't kick much because while it certainly does not have magnum recoil, it will thump you. So you want a good solid position.

March 7, 2013, 09:58 PM	#11
Camocrimsontide Junior Member Join Date: March 5, 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 4	Thanks for all the info. I've ordered Burris signature 1" medium rings. I'll do as suggested and put the bottom half on the rifle to see how it sits. If it doesn't work out I can send the rings and scope back and get what I need. I definitely want to be comfortable with it. I've just gotten so anxious to shoot it. Lol