Understanding the High Rise Advantage
The heart pounds, your breath hitches, and the crosshairs dance across the vital zone. You squeeze the trigger. The shot breaks, and the bullet finds its mark. This is the culmination of skill, practice, and, crucially, the right equipment. In the world of precision shooting, every detail matters. One of the most frequently overlooked, yet profoundly impactful, components is the scope mount. Specifically, we’re diving deep into the world of high rise scope mounts – an often-underestimated upgrade that can dramatically elevate your shooting experience.
From the casual plinker to the seasoned marksman, the quest for enhanced accuracy is a continuous journey. While quality optics and well-tuned rifles are essential, the foundation upon which your scope sits plays a pivotal role in achieving consistent, repeatable shot placement. High rise scope mounts offer a compelling solution for shooters looking to optimize their setup.
So, what exactly *is* a high rise scope mount, and why should you consider one? Let’s uncover the secrets behind these essential components.
Perfecting the Cheek Weld
The “cheek weld” – the point where your cheek makes contact with the rifle’s stock – is the cornerstone of consistent accuracy. A proper cheek weld allows you to align your eye with the scope’s ocular lens consistently, ensuring a clear and complete sight picture. This consistency is paramount for repeatability, allowing you to place shot after shot with precision.
A high rise scope mount often facilitates a more natural and comfortable cheek weld. By raising the scope, it positions the optic at a more advantageous height relative to the shooter’s eye, especially when using stocks designed for optics. This can be particularly critical for shooters with larger heads, necks, or those using rifles with higher comb stocks. The result is a secure, repeatable cheek weld that minimizes strain and maximizes your ability to maintain a steady sight picture. This contributes to faster target acquisition, and more consistent shot placement.
Clarity and Eye Relief: Mastering the Sight Picture
Beyond the cheek weld, a high rise mount can directly impact your ability to see clearly through your scope. When a scope is mounted too low, your eye may be forced to strain to look through the optic. This can lead to eye strain and fatigue, which negatively affects your shooting performance. The elevated position provided by a high rise mount can help alleviate this issue, creating a more comfortable viewing experience.
Furthermore, many high rise mounts can help with the optimal eye relief of your scope. Eye relief refers to the distance between your eye and the scope’s ocular lens where the shooter receives a full, clear field of view. A high rise mount helps bring the scope closer to the shooter’s line of sight, making it easier to quickly acquire a clear sight picture when the rifle is shouldered. This adjustment is especially beneficial for tactical shooters or those engaged in dynamic shooting scenarios, where rapid target acquisition is essential.
Ergonomics and Enduring Comfort
Comfort is a critical, yet often underestimated, aspect of shooting. A rifle setup that is uncomfortable or forces the shooter into an unnatural posture can lead to fatigue and decreased accuracy. High rise mounts can significantly enhance the ergonomics of your shooting platform. By optimizing the scope’s height, these mounts allow the shooter to adopt a more relaxed and natural head and neck position. This in turn can reduce neck and shoulder strain, allowing you to shoot for extended periods without experiencing discomfort. It improves the overall experience, letting you focus on the shot and not the strain.
Clearing the Way: Functionality and Bolt Clearance
For certain rifle types, notably bolt-action rifles, a high rise scope mount isn’t just a matter of preference—it can be a necessity. In these cases, the elevated height ensures that the bolt handle clears the scope without obstruction. This ensures smooth and efficient bolt cycling, allowing you to quickly reload and maintain a consistent shooting cadence. Without adequate clearance, you may find yourself struggling with every reload, losing valuable time and potentially disrupting your shot process.
High rise mounts can also provide clearance for additional accessories such as scope caps and sunshades. This is particularly beneficial in scenarios where the objective lens diameter is quite large and close to the top of the receiver.
Navigating the Terrain: Choosing the Right Mount
Selecting the appropriate high rise scope mount is just as crucial as understanding its benefits. Several factors come into play when making your choice, and careful consideration of these aspects will ensure that you choose a mount that perfectly complements your rifle and scope setup.
Scope Size and Objective Lens Matters
The size of your scope, specifically the diameter of its objective lens, plays a crucial role in determining the necessary mount height. The objective lens is the lens at the front of the scope, which gathers light and affects image brightness. A larger objective lens diameter will, in most cases, necessitate a higher mount to provide adequate clearance above the rifle’s barrel. Failure to consider this can result in the scope hitting the barrel, making aiming impossible. As a general guideline, the greater the objective lens diameter, the higher the mount should be. If your scope has a 50mm or 56mm objective, consider a high-rise mount. Measure carefully to be sure.
Rifle Compatibility and Action Types
The type of rifle you own will dictate the specific mounting system that’s compatible. Certain rifles, like AR-15 platforms, often require specialized mounts designed for their unique rail systems. Similarly, bolt-action rifles have their own specific mounting considerations, such as bolt handle clearance. This means that the action – whether it is a bolt-action, semi-automatic, or lever-action – determines the type of mount you need. So when you consider a high rise mount make sure it is compatible with the action on your rifle.
Material and Construction: Durability and Dependability
The material used in the construction of your scope mount directly impacts its durability and performance. Aluminum alloys are a popular choice due to their balance of strength and weight. Steel mounts are known for their exceptional strength and resilience, but they are typically heavier. Consider the intended use of your rifle and the level of abuse it’s likely to endure when selecting a mount material. High-quality construction is also paramount, regardless of the material. Look for mounts that are precisely machined, ensuring a secure and stable platform for your scope.
Ring Diameter and Scope Compatibility
The scope rings that hold your scope in place must match the tube diameter of your scope. Most scopes use a tube diameter of 1 inch or 30mm, but other sizes exist. Always verify the tube diameter of your scope before purchasing a mount and rings. Select rings that match your scope for a secure and reliable fit. Failure to match the scope tube diameter and ring diameter will cause your scope to be damaged and may not be able to get the right zero.
Mounting Standards: Navigating the Rail System
Various mounting standards exist, each with its own unique design and compatibility requirements. The most common include Picatinny and Weaver rails. Picatinny rails are a widely adopted standard that features a series of slots and grooves, allowing for versatile accessory attachment. Weaver rails share a similar appearance but typically have slightly wider slots. Understanding the rail system on your rifle is essential for selecting a compatible high rise scope mount.
Balancing Quality and Budget
High rise scope mounts are available across a wide range of price points. While it’s tempting to opt for the most affordable option, remember that your scope mount is a critical component of your shooting system. Prioritize quality and durability, as these factors directly influence the mount’s long-term performance and reliability. Do some research, read reviews, and carefully compare specifications before making a purchase. It’s often worth investing in a higher-quality mount from a reputable manufacturer to ensure that it will stand up to the rigors of regular use.
Setting Up for Success: Installation and Zeroing
Once you’ve selected your high rise scope mount, it’s time for installation. Following the manufacturer’s instructions is crucial, but here are some general guidelines:
1. Prepare the Rifle: Ensure the rifle is unloaded and safe. Clean the mounting surfaces of the rifle.
2. Mount Attachment: Attach the base or one-piece mount to the rifle’s rail system, securely tightening the mounting screws. The use of a torque wrench will help to tighten the screws to the manufacturer’s specifications.
3. Ring Attachment: Install the scope rings onto the base and secure them, again following the manufacturer’s recommended torque specifications.
4. Scope Placement: Carefully place the scope in the rings, ensuring that it is properly oriented (reticle level).
5. Ring Tightening: Tighten the scope rings, again ensuring that the torque is properly set.
6. Bore Sighting: The goal is to roughly align the scope’s reticle with the point of impact at a specific distance (e.g., 100 yards).
7. Live Fire Zeroing: Use live ammunition to fine-tune the scope’s zero. Make small adjustments to the scope’s elevation and windage turrets until your shots consistently hit the intended target.
Popular Choices on the Market
Several reputable manufacturers offer high rise scope mounts designed to meet a wide range of needs and budgets. Some popular brands and models to consider include:
[Brand A]: Known for [strength, durability, etc.] Models such as [model name] are popular for [specific application].
[Brand B]: Specializing in [specific design/feature]. Mounts from this company are known for [specific quality].
[Brand C]: This manufacturer’s mounts are known for [design and usability] and they are popular for [specific use case].
This is just a snapshot, and a little research can identify the best option for you and your particular rifle.
The Advantage: An Elevated Shooting Experience
High rise scope mounts are more than just accessories; they are essential components that can dramatically enhance your shooting experience. By considering the information presented here, you can make an informed decision that unlocks the full potential of your rifle setup. From improving your cheek weld to increasing your visibility and enhancing your ergonomics, these mounts are a worthwhile investment for shooters of all levels. Take the time to assess your needs, choose wisely, and experience the elevated accuracy and comfort that a high rise scope mount can bring.
What’s your experience with high rise scope mounts? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!
