What does a slightly higher scope height do?

[Bigeclipse]

Typically I run low rings but on my new rifle the scope was hitting the scope rail before I got proper eye relief. With mediums i am able to get proper eye relief but the scope (50mm bell with 30mm tube) sits a decent amount above the barrel. What exactly does that do? The bottom of the 50mm bell is about 3/8ths inch from the barrel.

 

[Farmerboy78]

It wont hurt anything at all

 

[YZ-80]

It's best to have the scope as close to the axis of the bore as you can as a general rule but some things, like what you have mentioned preclude this. Some of mine are 1" above, some are 2" above. It can obviously affect the quality of your cheek weld. In some cases, it works out well. Personally, with my light walking varmiters (22 Hornet, .204) I like a higher scope mount because I like to be able to get my thumb between the scope tube and the receiver, so I can carry the rifle gripping it by the receiver as I stalk the fields. My longer range rifles almost always have picatinny rails and bigger scopes, necessitating a higher mount. No worries, I just plug the scope height into my ballistic program and all is well.

 

[Will16]

Nothing.... it does Absolutely nothing.

 

[LongBomber]

Being higher will amplfy the affect of a cant. It will also change your dial-ups at distance.

 

[cummins cowboy]

I focus on fit rather than how high the scope is off the barrel. I want to throw the gun up to my shoulder and have a perfect view through the scope. this typically means I prefer my scopes slightly higher than a lot of people set theirs too. its ok. for instance I prefer my AR15 scopes about .25 higher than most the standard mounts set them to. its better to be closer to the bore if you have a choice. but not if it damages fit.

 

[Bravo 4]

If the scope is making contact with the front end of the rail, can you cut the rail back a notch or two without causing any problems? I did that with a chop saw and a file, didn't need that much rail anyway.

 

[Salar600]

Being higher will amplfy the affect of a cant. It will also change your dial-ups at distance.

Exactly and you will have a slightly longer Point Blank Range. (shooting dead-center and stay in the kill zone)

 

[Bob2650]

You end up with a jaw weld instead of a cheek weld. You need to adjust the stock to match the scope height.

 

[JAYgs8163]

Moves the scope further away from center bore but not a big deal by the sound of your issue. If you find yourself needing to lift your head to get proper FOV you will need to add some type of cheek rest. A $30 ammo pouch cheek rest usually will solve that issue. 3/8" is no big deal. If you're using a ballistic app it will allow you to make the change within the settings which will give you updated POI. In the ballistic app there's a setting for the measurement of "center bore to center scope". Good luck!

 

[misterc01]

When I started, I read and tried to follow all the of the more experienced folks. In the quest for the lowest scope height, I have ended up with one rifle with a bottom part of the scope cover removed so it will go over the scope. That puts the height about 1/16 inch above the barrel. Now I get the best cheek weld, view through the scope, eye relief, etc., and THEN mount the scope. Result: better sight picture, comfort (no distorting my neck) and improved my accuracy.

 

[tnek13]

The height does affect the geometry between the line of sight and the bullet path, however properly input into your ballistic program and you will not have a problem. Before everyone started using dialable turrets it was a common practice to low mount your scope, set a 200 yard zero to effectively set an extended point-blank range so all you did was point and shoot. So, select rings that give you clearance, a good cheek weld, enter the data into your ballistic program, keep the gun level, and make your shot.

 

[Opa-lopa]

"High" mounts were a problem before anyone had laser rangefinders and ballistic solvers. No issue today. Pick what fits, level scope to the rifle & drive on.

 

[CVCOBRA1]

Does anyone remember the "see through" rings? You had your neck on stilts to see through the scope.