Simple scope mount question Ruger 10/22

[jazzpicker]

I am mounting a scope on a new 10/22 stainless rifle and am embarrassed to say that I don't know what kind (size) of rings to buy to fit the ruger screw-on base. I see a few types of rings that actually say ruger, others say 1 inch, .22 etc. Exactly what type of rings offer the best fit for the 10/22 base,

Thanks

 

[Dave H]

Depends on your chosen scope. A lot of the old scopes that were used for .22 rifles had 3/4" tubes. Most popular scopes today have 1" tubes and a lot of European scopes use 30mm tubes. You need to decide what scope you're going to use, match the ring diameter to that of the scope, and then make sure that your chosen rings are high enough to facilitate clearance between the objective bell of the scope and the rifle's barrel. Also, make sure that you get Weaver style rings and not those designed for other mounting systems.

 

[Quarterbore]

You might also take a little time and evaluate if the factory scope base is even long enough for what ever scope you may want to use. I have personally found that the Ruger scope base is too short for many higher power scopes for example my favorite 10/22 here:

Thios scope is a "cheap" Bushnell 4-12x40 but it is very accurate for general range and critter plinking. As you can see in the photo above, I added a Volquartsen Picatinny Scope Mount on that rifle which extends the mounting surface 2-inches forward of the receiver. You can get these bases here:

https://www.volquartsen.com/products/366-1022-picatinny-scope-mount-

The rings are nothing fancy, simply Weaver style rings but note the correct height depends on the height of your base as well as the size of your scope.

If you have a local gun shop, they should be able to help you find the correct rings once you decide on the scope and then the proper base that will allow the scope to be mounted. Sure, you can buy a scope based on the base Ruger gave you but that is a tad bit backwards logic to me as I will use the scope far more then the base I am trying to use :wink:

 

[9x19]

One other thing... Ruger has supplied two different style bases over the years, so which one do you have?

The older rifles came with a 3/8" grooved rail. (No cross-slots)
For this base you'd use .22 "Tip-off" rings.

The newer rifles come with a Wever style rail. (several cross slots).
For this base you'd use Weaver-style rings.

The "Ruger" rings are likely meant for their proprietary milled-in bases that are found mostly on their bolt-action rifles.

Most scopes these days have a 1" diameter tube, but their are some (usually higher end models) that have a 30mm tube.

Unless your scope has a huge front (objective) lens, a set of 1" Medium height rings (for the base you have) should work just fine.

 

[jazzpicker]

Thanks for the advice. The rifle is new and my brain is old.

I had some extra rings and found out that regular weaver rings fit fine but wanted to know if there is a better option. Going into a website and figuring out which rings to use is a nightmare. The scope has a 1"tube but I was interested in finding the best style rings for the ruger 10/22 base.

 

[Quarterbore]

Weaver rings are fine. There are much more expensive rings that will be stronger but you are not deer hunting with it where a bumped ring will cost you a trophy so I don't go crazy with top of the line rings or scopes on a 10/22. Besides, the receiver is only aluminum anyways so so need for something super strong as the receiver is not that robust...

 

[Oh Shoot]

...

The newer rifles come with a Wever style rail. (several cross slots).
For this base you'd use Weaver-style rings.

...

Actually, the currently shipped scope base is a combination Weaver AND 3/8" tip off one, at least on most models. You can use either type scope base with them.

- OS