Question about lapping scope rings

tpcollins · August 24, 2020, 06:19 PM

After lapping a set of steel rings, what do you do to any exposed metal inside the rings?

I’m not sure that cold bluing is all that good although my Kleenbore Black Magic is the best I’ve used.

I bought a used set of DD scope rings one time and now that I think of it, they make have been lapped because when I took them off to put a different scope on, the inside of the tops and bottoms were rusty. Thanks.

Nathan · August 24, 2020, 09:01 PM

What are DD rings?

stinkeypete · August 25, 2020, 01:39 AM

Cold blue and eventually... loctite.

50 shooter · August 25, 2020, 02:32 AM

Use cold blue or one of those paint sticks that you can buy at most hardware stores. Just be aware of how much you apply, to much and you might have to lap them again.

**Unclenick** · August 25, 2020, 01:27 PM

Use Brownells Oxpho Blue or Van's gun blue. These products are not great about the depth of color (more charcoal gray than blue), but inside the scope rings, you don't care. Their advantage is they are a form of black phosphating, which is relatively easy on the steel and gives the best protection.

I once degreased a bunch of music wire and tried about a dozen different cold blues on them, rinsed them of but did not oil any of them, and then just let them sit out for about three months in my office. At the end of that time all except the two products I mentioned had developed rust. In one case, a product that is thankfully no longer available, very extreme rust knots on the surface.

So, use the Opho-Blue or Van's and then rinse thoroughly. Boiling hot distilled water for rinsing is best, as the heat and humidity tend to blue any free iron left exposed or in the phosphate surface. Then hose it with water-displacing oil or WD-40 to displace any remaining water, and then wipe it off. Apply a little wax. This should hold up pretty well.

tpcollins · August 25, 2020, 05:18 PM

Nathan - Double Dovetail.

Thanks UncleNick.

August 24, 2020, 06:19 PM	#1
tpcollins Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2009 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 558	Question about lapping scope rings After lapping a set of steel rings, what do you do to any exposed metal inside the rings? I’m not sure that cold bluing is all that good although my Kleenbore Black Magic is the best I’ve used. I bought a used set of DD scope rings one time and now that I think of it, they make have been lapped because when I took them off to put a different scope on, the inside of the tops and bottoms were rusty. Thanks. __________________ What direction did that last shot at Kennedy come from?

August 25, 2020, 01:39 AM	#3
stinkeypete Senior Member Join Date: July 22, 2010 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 1,289	Cold blue and eventually... loctite. __________________ My book "The Pheasant Hunter's Action Adventure Cookbook" is now on Amazon. Tall tales, hunting tips, butchering from bird to the freezer, and recipes.

August 25, 2020, 02:32 AM	#4
50 shooter Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2002 Location: SoCal PRK Posts: 986	Use cold blue or one of those paint sticks that you can buy at most hardware stores. Just be aware of how much you apply, to much and you might have to lap them again. __________________ I see the world thru bloodshot eyes Streets filled with blood from distant lies The dogs of war never compromise, No time for rearranging.

August 25, 2020, 01:27 PM	#5
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,057	Use Brownells Oxpho Blue or Van's gun blue. These products are not great about the depth of color (more charcoal gray than blue), but inside the scope rings, you don't care. Their advantage is they are a form of black phosphating, which is relatively easy on the steel and gives the best protection. I once degreased a bunch of music wire and tried about a dozen different cold blues on them, rinsed them of but did not oil any of them, and then just let them sit out for about three months in my office. At the end of that time all except the two products I mentioned had developed rust. In one case, a product that is thankfully no longer available, very extreme rust knots on the surface. So, use the Opho-Blue or Van's and then rinse thoroughly. Boiling hot distilled water for rinsing is best, as the heat and humidity tend to blue any free iron left exposed or in the phosphate surface. Then hose it with water-displacing oil or WD-40 to displace any remaining water, and then wipe it off. Apply a little wax. This should hold up pretty well. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

August 25, 2020, 05:18 PM	#6
tpcollins Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2009 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 558	Nathan - Double Dovetail. Thanks UncleNick. __________________ What direction did that last shot at Kennedy come from?

August 24, 2020, 09:01 PM	#2
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,321	What are DD rings?

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