Hi Fellas- Any pointers on shimming a scope? I've never had to do it before, but I'm close to running out of elevation. 1/8" per click adjustment. Checked the rings & bases (2-Piece Alum., same for rings) and they're seated and tight. Medium height rings. Burris 8-32X on Rem. 700 CDL. Thanks in advance for any help!
Shimming a Scope
- Thread starter shakey
- Start date
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,745
- 5,809
I've done it, but the best answer is a tapered base.
Once they were only avail in fairly expensive (but very nice) scope bases from Badger, Seekins Precision, and the like. Very good, very tough setups used on a lot of long-range tactical rifles.
http://www.seekinsprecision.com
Here's a SWAT rifle, a Rem 700 Police, in .308 Winchester, that I setup earlier this year with rings and a 20 MOA tapered base from Glen Seekins of Idaho:
A few years ago however, Leupold introduced a long-range version of their one-piece STD base. I purchased and used one on a Rem 700, 7mm magnum. It was perfect for shooting at 600+ yards! Also, no more expensive than a normal Leupold STD base, and it takes regular STD rings. Worth checking out if you don't want to spend the bucks for a Seekins Precision base or something similar.
Now... As to shimming... Only do it on a one-piece base. Use a thin sheet of brass - it doesn't take much. Put it under the REAR of the scope mount. Drill holes through it for your mounting screws/bolts. A couple of sheets of brass from a hobby shop and you'll be in business. You only need a small piece. Shimming works, it's just not as nice a solution as a real long-range tapered base.
Regards, Guy
Once they were only avail in fairly expensive (but very nice) scope bases from Badger, Seekins Precision, and the like. Very good, very tough setups used on a lot of long-range tactical rifles.
http://www.seekinsprecision.com
Here's a SWAT rifle, a Rem 700 Police, in .308 Winchester, that I setup earlier this year with rings and a 20 MOA tapered base from Glen Seekins of Idaho:
A few years ago however, Leupold introduced a long-range version of their one-piece STD base. I purchased and used one on a Rem 700, 7mm magnum. It was perfect for shooting at 600+ yards! Also, no more expensive than a normal Leupold STD base, and it takes regular STD rings. Worth checking out if you don't want to spend the bucks for a Seekins Precision base or something similar.
Now... As to shimming... Only do it on a one-piece base. Use a thin sheet of brass - it doesn't take much. Put it under the REAR of the scope mount. Drill holes through it for your mounting screws/bolts. A couple of sheets of brass from a hobby shop and you'll be in business. You only need a small piece. Shimming works, it's just not as nice a solution as a real long-range tapered base.
Regards, Guy
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,745
- 5,809
Oh, another option is Burris' own rings with the inserts! Had almost forgotten about them. They seem to work pretty well. They sell inserts that will allow you to angle the scope quite a bit in their rings.
I wasn't sold on the idea, but understand that it has worked out real well for some guys.
I wasn't sold on the idea, but understand that it has worked out real well for some guys.
I just installed a scope on a friends model 1917 Eddystone (Weaver side mounts) and I have the same problem. There is no way to adjust either the base or the rings, so I'm going to install some brass shim stock under the scope at the rear ring. This stuff is about the thickness of heavy duty aluminum foil.
BigJakeJ1s
Beginner
- Feb 9, 2006
- 37
- 0
Burris Signature Rings with Pos-Align inserts are a better option than shimming the base or the rings. Absolutely no bending stress on the scope tube.
I had a similar problem when I tried to mix Burris rings with a Leupold base. I shimmed the base using 4 layers of a Heineken can. I am sure Bud or any of your beers would do just as well. Might not look great but it sure works.
To be very serious I will change the base to a Burris one when the season is closed and I am sure that will sort the problem.
Good luck and dont drink when you are shooting
Hugh
To be very serious I will change the base to a Burris one when the season is closed and I am sure that will sort the problem.
Good luck and dont drink when you are shooting
Hugh
My two cents is DON'T SHIM It! I shimmed my nikon 5.5-16.5x44 to increase the range (it only has 42 moa adjustment). I thought it was great, but when I took the shims out again I noticed that there was a tiny dent in the scope tube. I don't think it did any real damage, but it really made me mad at myself for not being careful. I have heard that there are single piece long range bases that will not change the allignment of your scope rings.
BTW, would a tiny dent in a scope tube cause serious damage? appreciate input.
Britz.
BTW, would a tiny dent in a scope tube cause serious damage? appreciate input.
Britz.
Desert Fox
Handloader
- Aug 14, 2006
- 1,965
- 3
Don't. You have a Remington. There are tons of base out there in the market made specifically for your action. Get a one piece tapered base like the one use by the military and be done with it. Shimming scope, if not done properly, will damage a scope.
I used to watch my gunsmith level a stock before bedding it and then level the barreled reciver to the stock trimming where necessary.After the bedding was completed and he was ready for the scope he'd level the rifle and for shims he'd use business cards that he'd coated with shellach and miked to get the fit perfect once the proper shim height was reached he'd replace the shim with a permanent one he was an expert at his trade.A friend had a Sako 300wm bedded & tuned by Ellis that put 3 rounds in a .308 hole on a 100 yard target.Since his passing I haven't purchased any rifles needing customizing cause I've never met anyone that measures up to his expertise.
BigJakeJ1s
Beginner
- Feb 9, 2006
- 37
- 0
+1 for Burris Signature rings and Pos-Align offset inserts!
