I'm putting a Leupold VX3 1.5-5x20 scope on a 458 Win Mag. With my length of pull I have to place the "gold ring" on the front of the scope right in the center of the front scope ring to get it far enough back. I even have a Talley extended front mount. Heck, if I had more room, might even move further back.

Is this bad for the scope since the front lens is in this area?

I measured it and the back of the ring is over the lense, I have another 1/4" before I hit the end of the scope with the ring. I will double check.

If it is over the lense, assume that's bad juju?

I don't believe it is a problem. Although I've never had one apart I would presume there is some kind of rubber seal between the lens and the tube or at least some clearance. I have mine jammed pretty far back to get the eye relief right and I have not had any issues.

There have been some posts about this issue and it appears some have damaged the front lense. I have a Leupold 2x20 EER scope mounted forward on my Mauser with the Weaver front ring well behind the front lense and clamped up real tight, never a problem.

Yes, I have done the same thing; putting a ring over the front lens with no problems. As stated, there have been some reports of bad things happening but that might be due to way too much clamping or uneven clamping. What does Leu say about it?

Thanks

What I really need is a scope with about 6" of eye relief. Something in between a standard scope and a scout scope.

My favorite contemporary scope, the Leupold FX-II Ultralight 2.5 x 20 mm, has 4.9" of eye relief and 39.5' field of view @ 100 yds.

But the tube might not be long enough, you would have to check that.

The ring should not be over the gold ring it should be behind, to mount it otherwise creates problems at some point...

The extended base is supposed to solve that and has with my guns so I don't understand unless your stock is too long...however you can get extended rings for both front and rear and that should solve any problem of spacing.

The FX ultralight referred to in Redoak8s post is the scope for a big bore rifle...Its basically indestructable.

Thanks Ray. This is for the 458 Win Mag Whitworth I bought from you. I have a 15" length of pull and anything other than a full size scope is hard enough to get all the way back, even with a front base extension. I'm even sort an 1" or so on my 8x57 Mauser with a full size Weaver scope. Going to put an extension on it as well and pick up a bit.

BTW - I am going to order that Leupold 2.5X scope. I've heard lots of good things about. I thought about a Weaver 1-3, but the Leupold has a longer eye relief and is fixed power, so should be solid!!!