JCN, Not to criticize, but think about what you said. If a scope settles, it has moved, the point of aim has moved, etc. If the rings are lapped, it's staying where it is. Now if they were not lapped, and the rings dug into the scope barrel, something could move a smidge I guess. But then you have a marked scope, which nobody wants.

I might add that I have seen many instances lately wherein the rings were over lapped, so do this with care, just remove the burrs.

I over lap the rings and then bed the scope in the rings using JB Weld for a perfect fit. That does a good job.
Don

If you can slide a dollar bill between the scope bell and the barrel, clearance is suficient. The main point is that the scope should not touch the barrel.

Yes, a little bit. Probably. Maybe.
The bigger issue might be what happens after a few strings of shots and the scope settles into its mounts.
JCN

How much clearance do you need between a scope and barrel?

I mounted a 4.5-14X40 Leupold on low Talley Mounts on my .338 Win Mag for practice. You can barely slide a piece of paper between the barrel and the scope. Does a barrel vibrate on this end? Is this ok? or is it gonna whack the scope?

Jeff