14 Best Scope Rings for Rifle [Budget & High End Choices]

scope mount

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The year was 1965. I had just purchased a brand-new Winchester Model 70 Feather Weight 30-06 from my local Target store for a massive total of $97.00. 

Heading downtown to a local jewelry store that had a gunsmith in the back room, I bought a set of Weaver scope rings and bases for the Leupold Gold Ring 3X9X50mm rifle scope I had also just purchased. 

Some 60 years later I still own and shoot that rifle and it has dusted off more deer then most young hunters today will ever have in their rifle sights. 

In a Hurry? Here is Our Top Pick

AccuShot Weaver

AccuShot Weaver Medium Profile

The price of AccuShot Weaver Medium Profile varies, so check the latest price at

Over those years, the barreled action with scope attached has been removed from the wood stock once for refinishing, but apart from that everything about the rifle has remained exactly the same.

The point here is even with that history I have never re-zeroed that rifle, right to this very day. When I hear someone bad mouth Weaver rings and bases, it makes my skin crawl a bit. 

PRODUCT

DETAILS

Products

Weaver Modkins

Weaver-Modkins

Weaver Modkins

  • Material: Aluminum Alloy
  • Diameter:1-inch
  • Weight: 3.2 ounces

Nikon Cantilever

Nikon-Cantilever

Nikon Cantilever

  • Material: Aluminum
  • Diameter: 1/2 inch Hex nut
  • Weight: 9.9 ounces

Nikon Black Precision

Nikon-Black-Precision

Nikon Black Precision

  • Material:Aluminum
  • Diameter: 1/2 inch Hex nut
  • Weight: 9.1 ounces

Warne Quick Detach Rings

Warne-Quick-Detach

Warne Quick Detach Rings

  • Diameter: 1-inch
  • Weight: 8 ounces
  • Material: Steel

Warne Gen 2

Warne-Gen-2

Warne Gen 2

  • Material: Aluminum
  • Diameter: 1-inch
  • Weight:113 grams

Burris AR-P.E.P.R.

Burris-AR-P.E.P.R.

Burris AR-P.E.P.R.

  • Material: Aluminum
  • Diameter: 1-inch
  • Weight: 8.7 oz

Vortex Optics Precision Matched

Vortex-Optics-Precision-Matched

Vortex Optics Precision Matched

  • Material: Aluminumim
  • Diameter: 1-inch
  • Weight: 2.3 oz

Leupold Dual Dovetail

Leupold-Dual-Dovetail

Leupold Dual Dovetail

  • Material: Aluminum
  • Diameter: 1-inch
  • Weight: 3 ounces

AccuShot Medium Profile

AccuShot-Medium

AccuShot Medium Profile

  • Material: Aluminum
  • Diameter: 1-inch
  • Weight: 3.8 ounces

Leupold Standard Ring

Leupold-Standard-Ring

Leupold Standard Ring

  • Material:Steel
  • Dimensions: 6 x 4 x 4 inches
  • Weight: 4 ounces

Leupold Rifleman

Leupold-Rifleman

Leupold Rifleman

  • Material: Silver
  • Diameter:1-inch
  • Weight: 4 ounces

Millett Tactical Ring

Millett-Tactical-Ring

Millett Tactical Ring

  • Material: Aluminum
  • Diameter: 1-inch
  • Weight: 7.2 ounces

UTG 1"/2PCs Picatinny QD Rings

UTG-12PCs-Picatinny

UTG 1"/2PCs Picatinny QD Rings

  • Material: Aluminum
  • Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 5 inches
  • Weight: 1.6 ounces

Vortex Optics Tactical

Vortex-Optics-Tactical

Vortex Optics Tactical

  • Material: Aluminum
  • Reticle:Dimensions:2.8x2.2x1.2 
  • Weight: 6.7 oz

The bonding agent for accuracy

In the past I have reviewed scope rings and, as such, covered much of the details regarding exactly what to look for when selecting a set of bases and rings for your rifle or shotgun.

With that background I will simply say that, in general, the better the set of rings the fewer issues you're going to have with getting a solid zero and a rifle that will stay on that zero for a very long time.

Included here are some ring and base sets that are workable if not very good in terms of getting your scope sight paired with your firearm.

Starting with my go-to bases and rings, here are some very workable systems you can count on when the going gets tough out there in gunfighter land.

1. Weaver Modkins - Best Scope Ring

best scope rings

Author's Weaver Model 70 Win. Old school but still working.

These rings and interracial bases are designed to set into a Weaver-style Picatinny rail. This makes the ring and base system about as easy to install as you can get while knowing that the setup will lock the scope in place securely.

These rings have a built-in tap strip to assure you that the rings will not damage your scope tube when installed.

Installing the system uses single heavy-duty claw clamps and nuts. Rail install time is very short and accurate. I often use this system when testing several rifles at once with a single optic. Switch-off from rifle to rifle is a snap!

1 inch scope rings for picatinny rail

In terms of scope ring height, I like the high profile types as they tend to fit any size bell housing. Very few of my rifles never see a switch in optics, the illustrated Model 70 Winchester not withstanding.

A single note here: I would not use these rings as a go-to system for massively heavy recoiling rifles. Rifles like the 338 Lapua require more stiffness, more screws, and far higher grade steel so they can endure massive stress conditions under fire.

Weaver Scope Rings

Weaver Modkins

The price of Weaver Modkins varies, so check the latest price at

Related Guide:

2. Nikon Black Cantilever - Best Scope Ring For The Money

best 30mm scope rings

Nikon is offering a heavy-duty full one-piece rail and rings set designed for 30mm scope tubes (on bigger long-distance rifles) that will deliver some stiff recoil and additional strain.

This combination mount, base and rings retains a 20 MOA base in the Weaver style that gives the scope an additional 20 MOA beyond the normal elevation obtained with sub-tensions and turret adjustments.

This ring system uses quad sets of screws for additional strength and current CNC construction. Additional lapping is not required with these higher end quality optics systems.

Mil-Spec hex nuts on the base clamps will accept 65 pounds of torque. This means the scope mounting system will take on rifles and cartridges like the big 338 Lapua while not busting loose screw heads and ring mounts due to excessive recoil.

I know this drill well, as I have had scopes almost come off a rifle due to recoil when shooting heavy rounds during one mile or more ultra-long-range shoots.

While this unit is not for everyone, it will meet the needs of shooters that are into their heavy-caliber rifles to be sure.

Nikon Black Cantilever 1 Piece

Nikon Cantilever Piece

The price of  Nikon Cantilever Piece varies, so check the latest price at

3. Nikon Black Precision Scope Ring - Best Scope Ring For Long Range Shooting

best scope mounts for ar 15

Much like the previous Nikon mount, this system is based on a standard level base system but as a one-piece unit. It eliminates extra pieces of metal and screws. Every screw increases the possibility of failure. Less of them means a better chance of your system hanging together under hard use.

The dual-integral rings produce maximum scope contact and the hex head nuts will handle 65 in/lb of torque. Top end caps use #8 Torc-Style fasteners with non-slip steel inserts.

 Nikon Precision 1 piece medium height 30mm base and rings

Nikon Black Precision

The price of Nikon Black Precision varies, so check the latest price at

4. Warne Quick Detach Rings 201LM

picatinny scope rings

Warne rings and their indexable lever system makes these rings well designed as a quick detachable system.

The design again uses Weaver rails or bases, making them universal in terms of applied applications. Be advised by a professional hunter, ballistics review writer and overall shooter: I use Warne one-piece and individual rings on a number of my working rifles and slug shooting shotguns. 

best scope rings for the money

These rings make use of what the manufacturer calls their ‘recoil control key’, which on some individual ring setups can be a problem with heavy recoiling rifles.

The one-inch rings make these very workable for most deer hunting style scope applications that don't require over-sized rings or added strength due to heavy custom wildcat rounds or big factory loads.

Warne 1 inch quick detach rings

Warne Quick Detach

The price of  Warne Quick Detach varies, so check the latest price at

5. Warne Gen 2 Extended

best 30 mm scope rings

Because the AR-15/M16 flattop makes use of such a low Weaver-style rail when it comes to mounting optics, the use of a razed-style cantilever is the perfect solution when bringing the scope high enough against the shooter's cheek when sighting.

Again, I run these mounts on several ARs and even one of my Savage 110 well-dressed long-distance 6.5 Creedmoors. It is this system or a block riser that is required for AR-15 style receivers. Depending on the job at hand I use both risers and this illustrated mount.

 Warne Scope Mount Gen 2

Warne Gen 2

The price of Warne Gen 2 varies, so check the latest price at

6. Burris Optics PEPR

Burris is offering an optics mount that has become very popular of late with the chassis rifles, AR-15 platforms, and additional long-distance, extended receiver rail applications. These bases and mounts are a one-piece cantilever-type system that simply locks onto your Weaver-style rail with two large bolts/knobs.

This base setup offers the ability to obtain the complete setup in a one inch through 30mm ring sizing, and also obtain a 20 MOA angled top plate so as to allow an increase in elevation when shooting longer range targets.

The ring tops have secondary rail mounts for the addition of night sights, red dots, spotlights, or laser ranging and sighting systems.

Burris is a scope /ring line that I retain here at Ballistics Research and, as such, I know full well the quality of the product. This is simple, very flexible and well made. The cost is very affordable when considered by the average shooter as well.

I have mounted this system with a test scope and after a time removed it then installed the exact same setup on another rifle. The zero change has never been greater then .3 MOA. That would allow for changes in rail machining tolerances.

Burris Optics PEPR Scope Mount

Burris Optics PEPR Scope Mount

The price of Burris Optics PEPR Scope Mount varies, so check the latest price at

7. Vortex Optics Precision Matched Rifle-Scope Rings 

Making a move toward still higher end rings and bases, Vortex offers the Precision Matched rifle-scope rings and now the manufacturing methods have jumped to yet another level. Materials are top grade across the board, and are offered as 30mm, 34mm, and 35mm tube sizes.

These rings are in the playpen with the big boys, and are retailed for professional use, to or the hunter who wants the very best the manufacturer can offer. These rings are built as pairs and are precision cut, then detailed to exactness for the shooter.

best scope rings

As to exactly where and when do these types of rings see service, it is when the target at the other end is trying to kill you or someone else, or the new sport of ultra long-range shooting comes forward and demands the best for the one- or two-mile shot.

The short answer is that you don’t buy a $3000.00 with change scope then put a $30.00 set of rings on it.

These rings use USA 7075 T6 billet aluminum and hold to tolerances of under .0005. This is done using computerized cutting methods.

Vortex Optics Precision Matched Rifle-Scope Rings

Vortex Optics Precision Matched Rifle-Scope Rings

The price ofVortex Optics Precision Matched Rifle-Scope Rings varies, so check the latest price at

8. Leupold “Dual Dovetail” Bases And Rings - Best Rifle Scope Rings And Bases

Here is a move toward a base and ring setup that is not Weaver-designed, but uses the receiver holes drilled at the factory for a hunting rifle and when the rings are mounted by way of a dovetail twist system. Friction, if you like.

Here the use of a wooden dowel aligns the rings after they have been set into the dovetail notch. The system is rock solid, but very different from the current trend in base and scope ring attachment. I have used this system since the 1960s. When installation is complete, these are very strong mounts that will hold up for almost ever.

These are low-profile mounts and are designed for standard bell-size scopes on hunting rifles. I currently use this system on a 22-250 Remington Model 700 Heavy Varmint rifle, a Winchester Model 70 22-250 lite carry varmint rifle, and a Remington Model Seven carbine Weather Fighter in 243 Winchester.

These rings and bases are best set up as non-removable units on a long-haul personal rifle. The rings and bases are forged and machined steel. Built for very hard use, as in big game hunting applications, in rough country and weather conditions.

Leupold “Dual Dovetail” bases and rings

Leupold “Dual Dovetail” bases and rings

The price of Leupold “Dual Dovetail” bases and rings varies, so check the latest price at

9. AccuShot Picatinny/Weaver Medium Profile

best scope rings for picatinny rail

This ring setup is an example of budget rings that are workable on light recoiling firearms and air gun systems. Be advised that in many cases these setups work out just fine in the budget-based price range. However, also understand that they are not high-end units and, as such, are not made from better grade steel, etc.

scope rings for picatinny rails

Valkyrie with a Weaver block riser versus the Warne mounts.

I run some of these for both their cost factor and ease of use when testing firearms. As I run about thirty sets of scope rings per year on test rifles, there are times that I can't afford to place the basic $100.00 rings and bases on every rifle in service around the shop and range. 

best scope mounts

AccuShot rings are not fancy, but I have found that if I don't turn them to hard during install and take care of them when changing them out on different rifles, I can get a reasonable amount of working time out of them before an issue sets in.

One thing I do like is the use of quad-screw setups on the rings. Also, the head design is very workable for drawing them down tightly without breaking a screw head or jamming up a slotted screwdriver-style head.

AccuShot Weaver Profile two-piece 1-inch rings.

AccuShot Weaver

The price of  AccuShot Weaver varies, so check the latest price at

10. Leupold Standard 2 Piece Rings & Base Set.

picatinny rings

In some cases, moving away from Weaver bases can be an advantage, and I use these Leupold two-piece ring and base systems on my Weatherby turn-bolt rifles that, God willing, won't ever need to see a new scope over their lifetime with me. 

This manufacturer's rings use a lock system that is a bit more involved in terms of correctly installing them. The rings are designed to withstand extreme recoil. When installing them, a one-inch wooden dowel aligns the rings to the bases, they are turned into place on a key in the ring base and retainer bases. 

best rifle scope rings and bases

This system is rock solid once it has been correctly aligned and installed.

Rings and bases need to be purchased by rifle receiver design. For example, the Remington Model 700 is going to use a totally different mounting screw pattern to the Winchester Model 70. You must know what you’re buying these rings for.

best 30mm scope mount

This manufacturer's two-piece ring and base systems are also available for both right- and left-hand actions, as well as both long- and short-throw receivers in bolt action rifles.

Leupold-Standard-Ring

Leupold Standard

The price of Leupold Standard varies, so check the latest price at

11. Leupold Rifleman Detachable Low Rings

best rifle scope rings and bases

Leupold also offers a basic low ring set for deer rifles, or best 22LR rifles that make use of the Weaver style base or rail system. Again, this system is so simple to work with and foolproof as well. Leupold has seen the light in terms of taking advantage of proper marketing. 

best 30mm scope rings

These rings are nothing fancy save for the knowledge that they are Leupold and may use somewhat better steel.

I would consider these rings for lighter recoiling rifles such as 243 Winchesters, 6.5 Creedmoors, and even the new .224 Valkyrie, which I am having a current love affair with. For big rifles, I like using added split ring screw housings and this system is a two-screw lightweight.

Leupold-Rifleman

Leupold Rifleman

The price of Leupold Rifleman varies, so check the latest price at

12. Millett Tactical Detachable Aluminum Rings

scope rings with picatinny rail on top

These rings use a massive six-cap clamping screw setup. There is also a stacked pin system by Millett in this tactical design that won't come apart when loosened for change out or adjustment.

Designed for use on heavy recoil rifles and rise setup AR-15s, these Millett rings fill a nice slot in the scope ring market.

Millett Tactical Detachable Aluminum rings

Millett Tactiical

The price of Millett Tactiical varies, so check the latest price at

13. UTG 1” Two-Piece Medium Profile LE Grade Combination Base And Rings

These first rings are in the very low price range and as they are built with a four-screw two-piece ring assembly, they are best suited for use on a lighter rifle that is going to be confined to brush country or shorter range shooting.

This base and ring setup is designed to mount by way of its own locking levers on a Weaver/Picatinny rail design over the receiver of the rifle or shotgun.

This mounting system is fast to use, sold in terms of coming loose when travelling or stuck into a horseback saddle scabbard. But at this price, I would not expect target or long-range rifle quality with this system.

Made of aircraft-grade aluminum and using a machining process, these are nice looking and functional rings. I have used many of them on quick projects where I did not have time to shop for others or want to spend big money on more advanced ring designs.

For the money, these rings are a very workable setup as they are, in my opinion. Using the quick-detach system, the rings as bases can be removed fast for travel or storage as well.

With the inside of the ring using a special tap, the ring will not cut into the surface of the scope when mounted. I often use taps on scopes that don’t have this feature when mounting a new glass sight to a fresh-out-of-the-box set of rings.

The manufacturer states that these rings will re-zero when removed and then reinstalled. I would suggest a test run at this if you're thinking about any removal of the scope after mounting it the first time around.

Again, I have used these rings for short-term projects, or when I needed to switch from scope to scope quickly in a test phase of a rifle. At those times I found the rings acceptable for the basic test firing of a new rifle.

UTG-Med-Pro

UTG 1” Two-Piece Medium Profile LE Grade

The price of  UTG 1” Two-Piece Medium Profile LE Grade varies, so check the latest price at

14. Vortex Optics Tactical Rings

best scope rings for picatinny rail

Whereas the previous rings illustrated above were medium height standard rings, this next set of Vortex Optics Tactical rings is offered at both low and high sizing, in order to fit a wide variety of scope bell heights, etc.

Tactical rings by design are different from standard general purpose rings in that these rings could see service work by police or military at some point in their working life.

Vortex offers these rings in a range of heights, but stays with the 30mm tube size overall. This is because the 30mm is at sniper level and general police level sizing when it comes to optical systems.

best scope rings for the money

I am currently testing scopes for Vortex and writing reviews covering their performance levels. Vortex send their branded rings with their scopes, and this is not unusual. Most scope manufactures that offer mid-grade to upper-end glass want writers to use their rings as they trust the ability of their product to hold up and get the job done.

The Vortex six-screw system is designed to take on recoil, as with heavies like the 416, 300 PRC, 300 Win Mag or 338 Lapua. The scope rings are also designed to fit Picatinny-style and similar rail mounts, making them an easy install and removal in a military or police application.

Those of us in long-range shooting also gain with this design, and Vortex Optics got the message long ago regarding the needs of advanced shooters.

Vortex Optics Precision Matched Rifle-Scope Rings

Vortex Optics Tactical Rings

The price of Vortex Optics Tactical Rings varies, so check the latest price at

Weaver Bases And Rings On A Light 22 Magnum Rifle

scope rings for picatinny rails

Weaver bases and rings on a light 22 Magnum rifle.

For the most part, shooters who are once-a-year-hunters shouldn’t feel like they have to invest the household budget in scope rings and bases. Target shooters and hunters who are professionals, or even just in the field a great deal, are a whole other matter.

Long Range has gone over the Weaver rails versus the previous and standard Weaver base ring system. This base rail is a 20 MOA system, as applied to the 300 Win Mag for long-range applications. 

If you’re looking for best 300 win mag riflescopes, check out our guide !

References:

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