Scope Clearance to Barrel

[DrewRoss]

I mounted a Leupold 6.5-20x50mm scope on a Tikka CTR .308 using low Leupold PRW steel rings. The objective lens clears the barrel by about 0.7mm. Is this ok? I've been told that as long as there is any clearance you should be golden but just wanted to check. Thoughts? Here's a pic...

Tikka CTR.JPG (190.27 KiB) Viewed 6359 times

[Tripod]

Perfect.

[Gwion]

No probs as long as you can get a natural and comfortable view through the scope.

[Tiger650]

You will not get any better than that.

[DrewRoss]

Thanks lads. Line of sight is perfect so as long as there's no issue with the clearance I'm ready for sighting in! Cheers.

[Cooper]

What about a scope cap? Otherwise looks perfect.

[Apollo]

What about a scope cap? Otherwise looks perfect.

Looks like it's already fitted...

Personally, I don't like Scopes mounted that low. I don't like a lot of cheek weld nor leaning over the stock to see through a low mounted scope.

But, all looks good. Happy shooting.

[Cooper]

Couldn't see scope cap on my phone screen! Had to have a closer look. My bad

[duncan61]

My scope on the 7mm Rem Mag looks just like that

[TBJ]

Looks perfect to me, I've always gone by the if you can see light through the gap then its all good

[Chronos]

You never know what happens during the shot and if clearance opens up or closes. When a rifle recoils the scope tries to stay where it is (Neetons first law) and the scope bell can touch the barrel. Worst on heavy scopes with weak mounting systems.

One trick it to put a strip of electrical or masking tape on the bottom of the scope and check after firing to see if it's damaged

Chronos

[VICHunter]

Cutting it close but I reckon that'll be fine.

Do a confirmation along the lines of what Chronos said and if it's not contacting you're set.

[straightshooter]

Chronos has mostly got it right.
At the risk of seeming pedantic.
The issue is the intensity of the rearward acceleration rather than the recoil.
Now in the picture I notice you have a low profile rail which will have lower beam strength and thus may be more susceptible to flexing. I am not familiar with the mounting method of your rail but if you have arranged things so the rings are positioned over the pairs of attaching screws then that potential problem will be minimised.
You have positioned the forward ring close to the beginning of the objective bell which will tend to minimize the flexing of the scope itself provided the front and rear rings do their job properly.
If in time you get shiny marks on your barrel and scope objective bell you can be certain the scope is banging into your barrel.
You can also be certain it's not doing your scope any good nor is it helping with repeatable accuracy.
My personal experience is that even 1/8" clearance hasn't been enough with a far more rigid mounting system but greater scope overhang.