T3 Alloy rings crushing scope?

So I've heard of rings crushing scopes, but never seen it before now.

My partner just got a new-to-her used rifle and found that the scope tube was crushed by the rings - front and back, both sides, visible and felt deformation. Can't imagine how much force they put the scope under to do it - looks like they did it repeatedly too. There are three distinct sections that have been clamped. Bit of a miserable surprise for her, but she's happy with the rifle at least.

Looks like they're guncity alloy rings (www.guncity.com/tikka-t3-1-alloy-rings-309667).



Is this a common issue with these? Is this simply a function of over-tightening or is this type of ring known for it? Am I just making a mountain out of a mole hill and need to stop worrying???



Attachment 140803

Those a factory Tikka rings . Torque wrenches are great things when used correctly ...

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Originally Posted by canross

So I've heard of rings crushing scopes, but never seen it before now.

My partner just got a new-to-her used rifle and found that the scope tube was crushed by the rings - front and back, both sides, visible and felt deformation. Can't imagine how much force they put the scope under to do it - looks like they did it repeatedly too. There are three distinct sections that have been clamped. Bit of a miserable surprise for her, but she's happy with the rifle at least.

Looks like they're guncity alloy rings (www.guncity.com/tikka-t3-1-alloy-rings-309667).



Is this a common issue with these? Is this simply a function of over-tightening or is this type of ring known for it? Am I just making a mountain out of a mole hill and need to stop worrying???



Attachment 140803

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Aw hell iv never encountered it but can see it blatently . Iv actually cranked tikka rings in the past so tight i could see the ring sort of change colour from alloy to a lighter alloy in a stress like pattern certainly over tightened but they worked for young me wouldnt do it now days

Yeah that's shit alright, why it mightn't effect the performance of the scope it's not the best.

Like most scopes that Bushy 3200 is made of alloy & can easily be crushed by poor rings & heavy handed tightening, Can happen to every scope from cheapies to high end units, best investment is good rings, a toque wrench & lapping kit.

I bought a bushnell 3200 from hnf way back, pulled it out of the box when I got home to find the same thing. It had been on a display tikka of theirs and been pulled off and re packaged once said tikka sold. They got it back.... but it does happen

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Originally Posted by mimms2

Also could be a case of 25mm rings, 1" tube... or something like it.

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Have seen 34 mm tube, 30mm rings.. was quite impressive that they'd actually got it done up

from a fitters point of view I also reckon its partly because of the design of the rings. They aren't a classic 50/50 split ring design. with those you have the screws tightening straight down.
With these ones you have the screws that have a clamping force that is actually pulling together. In an ideal world perfectly acceptable but far less leeway for abuse

I have seen two Bushys off Tikka package deals that have been crushed which is a shame because they are good scopes. If it happened to a Vortex no one would bat an eye

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Originally Posted by mimms2

Also could be a case of 25mm rings, 1" tube... or something like it.

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That raises a good point - I measured them across the widest point and they measured 25.16 to 25.20. Seeing as 1 inch is 25.4 mm, I'm no closer to figuring it out. A 25mm ring set would be slightly oversize and clamp down the 0.2mm, or a 1" set would be slightly undersized and be a tension fit by 0.2mm. I measured them untensioned and detached from the lower half of the rings, so no issues with flexing from the screws.

Anyone have insight on normal ID on a set of 25mm or 1" rings?

Attachment 140840

Glad to hear that it shouldn't significantly affect the scope for our purposes.

First of all there are no 25mm rings, there are 1" and next size up is 26mm. I bought a set of 2nd hand 1" Tikka rings off TradeMe and they actually measure closer to 26mm. I will never use them on a CF rig. They are shite.

It's a bit hard to measure them in the unmounted state. Probably get a better perspective if clamped on a lapping bar.
The tops of Warne 22 rings (similar design) for example have to be sprung over the tube but I have never seen a scope damaged by them. They also screw at and angle.

You could relieve that heel at the bottom as that is the bit doing the damage when the angled screws draw it in. Refit the top halves and I think you will find that the heel lines up with the damage. Semantics I know but they are pinching rather than crushing down.

Have had the same marks created by Leupold rings of the same design, but not quite as obvious

Do you have another set of rings to use Hugh? I have a set of the original tikka rings from the 70's, bloody heavy, but super strong, than you can borrow for a while to get it up and running. PM me if you want them.