Has anyone fitted Leupolds 2.5x compact scope to a Ruger RSM. Is the scope long enough for standard rings or do I have to go for an offsett style to fit. I was thinking that the 2.5 Leupold in Low Ruger rings would be almost as good as the express sights but a heck of a lot easier to use with my dodgy eyesight!

My guess is that you will have the gold ring under your scope rings with the compact and that's not good. However perhaps someone makes an extension ring. Problem is you are locked in on bases with a Ruger.

That 2.5 Compact is a tough scope and will take all the recoil that you can give it. It would be ideal. You did not say what caliber and that would be a big factor in your choice. If its a 458 Lott then even custom rings would be advisable.

My suggestion is the old 3x Leupold. You can get one in the Gunlist from time to time, or even the Leupold Alaskan 2.5x. 7/8 inch rings, but not for the 458 Lott as neither of these scopes will hold up over the long run in a Lott.

If the scope is too long you can use the Ruger offset rings.

Note that there is a 0.25in height diferrence between the front and rear bridge on the RSM.

You will need to use the offset on the front, be sure to get the proper rear to accomodate the bridge height difference.

Ruger rings come in 0.25in. height increments so you can mix and match to get the offset right.

If you, (or anyone else) need to confirm the height information given above go to the Ruger website and look under "rings".

FYI, I have done this with a Vari X III 2.8 - 8 which is way too short for the RSM receiver.

Brett

Thanks for the info guys. I was hpoing to avoid the offset rings as Ruger only do them in their medium height. It would have been nice to sit the scope lower. The rifle is in 375HH so not a big kicker. I notice that weaver do a fixed power 2.5 scope which seems to have a nice length. Would the weaver hold up?

I know a 1.75-6x Leupold will fit on the RSM. I like this magnification better anyway as I can kill a few coyotes with the big bores for practice and to get used to it.

I just ran into this problem with my 2x7x33 Leupold VXII...I had Warne Detachable rings all ready to go and they are not even close to working...Looks like I'll be ordering some Ruger Offset rings...

Brett...Are you telling me I need to order a different height rear ring if I use the offset on the front?

Just looked at the Ruger website...Looks like the "shorter" offset ring is supposed to go on the front with the "higher" single ring going on the back...Looks like this setup should work...Are there any downsides to the offset rings?

The Weaver will hold up on a .375. So will the old fixed powers in 2.5 or 3X by Leupold. Another good scope is the 1x4 Leupold.

I use a Leupold VII 1X4 on my Ruger .458 Lott; it fits, & so far it holds up. It is a good choice.

I have a gunsmith friend who mostly builds big bore levers, .50 Alaskans that weigh 7.5 pounds. His test mule scope is a 1-4x Leupold and has had thousands of hard kickers shot with it.

I just mounted a VXIII 2.5-8x36 on my RSM, using the Ruger offset rings, medium height. The centre barrel of the scope was not long enough to extend from one mounting dovetail to the other without the offset. The vertical mount goes to the rear, and the shorter offset mount goes on the front, with the offset facing back. The setup seems to work just fine.

Oddly enough, I also have a VariX III 1.5-5x20 scope which will fit on the RSM with vertical rings.

I don't mind the medium height rings, because the express sight and the tall front sight stick up quite high, and I would prefer not to see them in the scope if I can help it.

quote:

Originally posted by Wooly ESS:
I don't mind the medium height rings, because the express sight and the tall front sight stick up quite high, and I would prefer not to see them in the scope if I can help it.

And does that also make much difference in ease of reloading the mag. in a hurry??

I hadn't thought of that, but you could be right!

Recoil and scopes don't seem to be a problem until one get to the .458 Lott and up in my experience, at which point I just use irons as I dont' ever shoot very far (200 yds. max) with these calibers. However, the 2.5X Leupold compact model will take the licking and keep on ticking on any big bore.

Atkinson,you don't think a 1.5x5 will hold out on a Lott? How about a fixed 4X?