How To Avoid a Common Scope Mounting Mistake

Don't forget, eye relief changes depending on what power you have the scope on. You're better off mounting your scope in prone on the highest magnification. Hi magnification = shorter eye relief, and low magnification = longer eye relief. In prone, you will normally be on high magnification because you're steadier and your head will be farther forward. So when you shoot off-hand, you typically will be on a lower magnification which will give you a longer eye relief and your head/eye will naturally be farther back from the scope anyways. So setting it up in prone on the highest magnification puts the scope at the perfect distance from your eye in all positions. =) ~Jared

An excellent refresher on mounting scopes correctly. I have encountered this problem as I'm sure many others have usually a high mount have been the problem solver. Not only to clear the front of the scope from the barrel but it has helped with handling the bolt by keeping the distance far enough from the back of the scope to make it more comfortable. Thank you!

What I have found with scope rings,is that each manufacturer has their own idea of what high,med & low is there is no standardization. One manufacturers High is another manufactures med

Randy’s videos are the best. Straightforward and very informative. Keep them coming sir.

Thanks for the tip Randy! I am just getting into this sport and as luck would have it I do have to mount two scopes onto two mossberg patriot rifles I recently purchased. It was clear to me that the scope optics housing should not touch the rifle rig in any way but it is your point about the eye relief that really interested me. I am aware of the "getting scoped" phenomena having once seen it happen to another person so I am keen to avoid the same thing happening to me but I do find I am having problems with getting the full field of view in the scopes mounted on my air rifles. Have yet to do the mounting on my patriot rifles but it was clear to me I was doing something wrong. Now I know what that is!

I'm new to hunting deer and target shooting..this is exactly what I needed to know. Thank you Sir. Hello from Texas USA

I have been guilty of leaning forward. Thanks for the excellent information.

I like to use 20 MOA rails and medium rings for big scopes. Also leupold rails and rings are some of the best you can get.

This guy is cool. I could listen to him all day.

I used high rings and a 20moa base and have just about 1/8 inch clearance. Perfect fit for me.

You chose a good topic and had a clear explanation. Thanks!

Good video. I have a Weatherby in 270 with a Nikon 50mm objective scope on it. The rifle is devastatingly accurate at longer distance where it is a proven long range killer. At the time of set up, I chose the medium height rings & although I have the required gap from the barrel, however, frustratingly it is not enough to allow me to use an unmodified lens cap at the objective end...a real pain in the arse when it is raining or drizzling...

THANK YOU RANDY. HOPE SEASON GOES WELL. I'LL BE WATCHING.

Thanks Randy, I now understand it. I just ordered mounts for my new scope. Very informative.

Good video. I was in a bit of a dilemma with going w/med Leupold BC rings or high for my 50mm. I know guys like to go as low as possible, but I jump on a stock high, plus the Remington Model 700 has a nice cheekpiece. I went with the high rings, and, although I have a good deal of space between scope and barrel, it seems to work for me. If you get too low it's hard to clean between scope and barrel and I have seen rust spots on a barrel of a LOW mounted scope.

Thanks so much for the video. I was working on my scope today and realized it was too low and wasn't sure of the best approach, so that's how I came to be here. Just wanted to say thanks for the clear n concise breakdown of proper mounting.

Thank you for sharing your wisdom on this subject... this saves a lot of grief! And, since I'm kind of ADD, thank you for sharing it in a concise, straightforward manner.

Everyone needs a neighbor like this guy.

Thank You for this information. I have a Weatherby .257 I want to install a Vortex Viper 6-20X50 and with stores closed now it's tough to chose the right fit

My gunsmith buddy showed me a trick when I mounted a scope on my RPR and the scope was touching. He cut some brass shims, I don’t remember how thick for sure maybe 50/1000s, and put them under the scope in the rings and that was enough to create daylight clearance. Worked like a charm.