Torque Question:

I'm using BKL 257 rings for my scope, and I noticed last weekend that the scope rotates in the rings so that the reticle is canted (it appears to happen while the rifle is in the case - not when I'm shooting). I know this means I have to tighten the rings more, but how tight is too tight? I don't want to crush the scope tube.

Height Question

I will be picking up a CZ-452 Style today, and I ordered a set of BKL heavy duty rings from Brownells (double clamps) because of what I described above. Are these heavy duty rings at least as high as the 257's?

Try torquing rings to 20 inches, and use Loc-Tite blue if they work loose. BKL makes great rings that are perfect with a Pharr stock. If they came in lower and in Weaver models, they're the only rings I'd use.

The bolts don't appear to be working loose. How much gap is there supposed to be between the ring base and the ring top.

Depends? Try twisting the scope by hand to see if it will move in the rings. BKL's in particular get a pretty tight grip.

Use a screw driver like the Midway sets or several of the other brands, it should not be longer than 6" to 7" Tighten the screws, going from one to the other, as you tighten one, it will feel tight, then go to the other one, and do the same, you will notice is kind of loose, tighten it again, and repeate the process untill both feel the same.
Use only one hand, and tighten them normally, do not try to twist your wrist.
If the scope keeps moving, it is obvious that is not tight enough, don't be afraid, it will take a lot of torque before you nick the scope, specially with the BKL rings.
Good luck.
Evelio.

BlauBear wrote:Depends? Try twisting the scope by hand to see if it will move in the rings. BKL's in particular get a pretty tight grip.

I can't twist the scope in the rings with my hand. I don't want to put a lot of stress on the turret section, but even with what I consider to be significant effort, the scope doesn't move.

It's weird - when I put the rifle in the case after a day at the range, it was lined up. When I pulled it out the next weekend, it had twisted in the rings.

Evelio Mc Donald wrote:Use a screw driver like the Midway sets or several of the other brands, it should not be longer than 6" to 7" Tighten the screws, going from one to the other, as you tighten one, it will feel tight, then go to the other one, and do the same, you will notice is kind of loose, tighten it again, and repeate the process untill both feel the same.
Use only one hand, and tighten them normally, do not try to twist your wrist.
If the scope keeps moving, it is obvious that is not tight enough, don't be afraid, it will take a lot of torque before you nick the scope, specially with the BKL rings.
Good luck.
Evelio.

That's pretty much the way I do it. I guess I'll torque it down a little more...

You may want to check that the rings are tight were they clamp to the receiver. If you tighten the screws that hold the scope to the rings and they seem tight you may have movement were they clamp on the receiver.

Good luck, Paul

stsbuyer wrote:You may want to check that the rings are tight were they clamp to the receiver. If you tighten the screws that hold the scope to the rings and they seem tight you may have movement were they clamp on the receiver.

Good luck, Paul

How would that make the reticle canted?