Which rings do i need?

Bill Allen · #1 04-06-2005, 01:03 PM

I know exactly nothing about scopes or rings but I recently bought two centerfire rifles and need to get them ready for the range and ultimately to hunt with. One is a pre 72 Sako rifle. When I bought the rifle I also purchased a pair of rings separately with it and it didn't occur to me at the time that they could be the wrong rings for the rifle. The rings are 26mm. Now, what does that mean? Do I have low, medium or high rings? I plan on putting on something like a 3x9 scope on the rifle. Are these the rings I should use or is there something else I should be considering? I am kind of lost on this subject so all help is very much appreciated.

fabsroman · #2 04-06-2005, 02:34 PM

First off, you need rings that fit the scope you buy. All of my scopes are 1" scopes and I think the majority of them are. If you really want to get fancy and expensive, you can get a 30mm scope, which I might get for my next rifle.

Anyway, you have to start with the scope and work your way toward the rings. Which rings you use depend entirely on the scope. Now, an inch equals 25.4mm, so I don't know if those 26mm rings will work. In fact, I have never heard of 26mm rings and have only seen a few red dot scopes in 26mm's but they usually came with their own rings.

After you get the scope tube diameter straight, then you will need rings of that variety in the correct height to ensure that the bell of the scope clears the barrel of the rifle. You want the bell of the scope to be as close to the barrel of the rifle without touching it. So, the ring height depends on the scope bell. Obviously, a 50mm scope will have a much larger bell than a 36mm scope.

Oh yeah, the rings have to also fit the ring bases that fit on the gun. So, start with the ring bases that fit your gun, then find the scope you want and the rings that fit both the scope and the bases. Usually, the bases and the rings are a system kind of like Leupold's one piece or two piece base that use Leupold rings

Bill Allen · #3 04-06-2005, 02:45 PM

Well, that clears it up a bunch for me. Of course, my gun show salesman sold me some kind of odd rings that will be of no use to me.

I bet he smiled to himself as I walked happily away with my new purchase....

Thanks for the info. It has been very helpful. Maybe, I can get squared away on rings and a scope yet.

Jack · #4 04-07-2005, 10:30 AM

Well, to further muddy the water......
1" does indeed equal 25.4 mm, as Fabs stated. Most American scopes use 1 inch tubes.
There have been a few scopes made with 26 mm tubes- usually a european company trying to make a lighter scope for the american market- none were ever very popular, to my knowledge.
Likely, your rings are for one of those odd ball 26 mm tubes.
Assuming the rings are correctly labeled. And, the difference between 25.4 mm and 26 mm being pretty darn small, I'm not sure I'd make that assumption....

Bill Allen · #5 04-07-2005, 10:39 AM

Well, I have some potentially good news. Someone told me that they thought that number 26 located on the bottom of my rings, actually referred to the height of the rings and that they are mediums. Does that make sense? I was able to find a place on the Internet that had a picture and measurement of low, medium and high rings and these do appear to be mediums. I measured the ring and I get exactly 1" but I don't have a metric ruler handy. Wouldn't this be more likely than the rings having been built to cradle a 26mm scope?

fabsroman · #6 04-07-2005, 10:53 AM

I don't know about the #26 underneath the rings. I have never paid attention to whether or not there are markings underneath the rings. Do you know who the manufacturer is?

I'm going to send you a PM with an e-mail address of a guy that can really help you out.

Bill Allen · #7 04-07-2005, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fabsroman
I don't know about the #26 underneath the rings. I have never paid attention to whether or not there are markings underneath the rings. Do you know who the manufacturer is?

I'm going to send you a PM with an e-mail address of a guy that can really help you out.

They are Sako rings from the 1960s/70s. They say Sako on one side and Finland on the other with 26 written on the bottom.

Thanks, for the help. It is much aappreciated.

jon lynn · #8 04-10-2005, 11:18 AM

Go to Home depot and get about 6" of pipe at one inch thick and put the rings on it and the size question will dissolve.

As for other rings, Cabela's and Brownells has Warne rings for Sako

Bill Allen · #9 06-10-2005, 09:38 PM

I bought some S&K rings and bases for the Sako and couldn't be more pleased. They look great and are extremely light weight. I have my scope mounted so now it is off to the range as soon as I can sneak off.....