Home Nikon Scope Mounting – A Quick Mount Height Calculation

Scope Mounting – A Quick Mount Height Calculation

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This is a useful method to quickly find out the scope mount height you need for your scope. Taking two quick measurements, you can work out the minimum mounting height required for your scope.

We measure the Objective Lens Outer Diameter and also the Mid Tube Diameter, then use these measurements to determine the distance between the bottom of the mid tube to the bottom of the objective lens.

The example on the video and the working out is as follows:
On a Zeiss 3-12×56 Scope

Half of the Objective Lens Diameter of 62mm = 31mm
minus
Half of the Mid Tube Diameter of 30mm = 15mm
Equals 16mm Mounting Height Required

We use this method every day to work out what height mounts customers require. Another Example would be:
Swarovski DS 5-25×52
Half of Objective Lens Diametre of 65mm = 32.5mm
minus
Half of the Mid Tube Diameter of 40mm = 20mm
Equals 12.5mm Mounting Height Required

We also look into a method to achieve a lower mounting height by looking at the drop between the action and the barrel. This varies from rifle to rifle, so we would usually ask you to measure this. Whereas it is usually around 4 or 5mm, we cannot be totally sure of this. Bearing this in mind, if your barrel drop measures 5mm and you have a Zeiss 3-12×56 with a 16mm Mounting Height, you can lower this 16mm by 5mm, resulting in a 11mm Mounting Height Required. This would be the very minimum height you would need, so it’s normally a good idea to add a couple of mm to this minimum height to guarantee that you avoid any contact with the barrel. A safe height here would be 12 or 13mm of mounting height.
You can then look at various mounts, with the knowledge that your minimum mounting height needs to be at least 12 or 13mm to be safe.

ADDITION TO THE VIDEO: Although you may achieve a low scope mounting setup using the correct hardware. An extra thing to check is the bolt clearance on your scope. On some occasions you may find the bolt lift hindered by the scope’s eye piece.

We’re happy to answer any questions and if you have any, please feel free to leave a comment below.

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17 COMMENTS

  1. The lower the scope is great , but you have to take into consideration your comfort factor . If you are forced to get you head in an uncomfortable position on the stock you won't get the butt comfortable in your shoulder. Bad seating on your shoulder means you will notice recoil much more , plus not being able to brace your neck to your shoulder properly resulting in constantly worrying about being clouted by the scope . If you are not comfortable you won't shoot straight . I know this is all obvious but it is no good aiming for the lowest scope mount till you get the rifle comfortable on your body..

  2. thanks for this video, super! Does this calculation also consider the downward cant of the slope when you’re dialing to maximum elevation? Eg, if a scope has 100 moa of dial-able elevation?

  3. Another thing you have to check on some rifles like the Remington 700 is the gap between the bolt handle and the scope. I dropped my scope down as far as it could go based on those measurements and my bolt would not function. So I got taller rings .

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