10 Best Scope Rings of 2021
One subject that you cannot afford to ignore when shopping for a rifle scope is also making sure you get the best scope rings.
Scope rings will play a vital role in your scope set up as they will work with the mounting bases to connect your scope to the rifle. With high-quality scope rings, the scope will be attached properly to your rifle for maximum accuracy.
As a regular gun enthusiast or a professional hunter/target shooter, you cannot afford to go wrong with your choice of scope rings.
Here we explain these important things to consider when shopping for scope rings and also offer recommendations with our review of top 7 scope rings to make choosing one a breeze.
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10 Best Scope Rings – Review
- 1. Vortex Optics PMR-30-126 – Best Overall
- 2. Vortex Optics Hunter RING-M – Perfect Match for General Hunting Purposes
- 3. UTG AccuShot RGWM-25M4 – Best 1-Inch Scope Ring
- 4. UTG Med Pro RQ2W1154 – Top Quality and Robust Scope Rings
- 5. Leupold 55880 – Convenient See-Through Scope Rings
- 6. Weaver Quad-Lock 49046 – Best Scope Ring for the Money
- 7. Burris XTR 420181 – Unbeatable Tactical Use Scope Rings
- 8. UTG Low Pro RG2W1104 – Superior Quality Scope Ring by a Trustworthy Brand
- 9. Nightforce Optics A118 – Tough, Reliable and Lightweight Scope Rings
- 10. UTG High Pro RQ2W1206 – Solid and Secure Fit Rings
- How to Buy the Best Scope Rings
- Conclusion
10 Best Scope Rings – Review
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PRODUCT |
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1. Vortex Optics PMR-30-126 (Best Overall) |
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2. Vortex Optics Hunter RING-M (Best for General Hunting Purposes) |
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3. UTG AccuShot RGWM-25M4 (Best 1-Inch) |
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4. UTG Med Pro RQ2W1154 (Top Quality & Robust) |
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5. Leupold 55880 (Convenient See-Through Design) |
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6. Weaver Quad-Lock 49046 (Best for the Money) |
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7. Burris XTR 420181 (Great for Tactical Use) |
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8. UTG Low Pro RG2W1104 (Superior Quality by a Trustworthy Brand) |
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9. Nightforce Optics A118 (Tough, Reliable & Lightweight) |
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10. UTG High Pro RQ2W1206 (Solid & Secure Fit) |
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PRODUCT |
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1. Vortex Optics PMR-30-126 (Best Overall) |
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2. Vortex Optics Hunter RING-M (Best for General Hunting Purposes) |
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3. UTG AccuShot RGWM-25M4 (Best 1-Inch) |
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4. UTG Med Pro RQ2W1154 (Top Quality & Robust) |
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5. Leupold 55880 (Convenient See-Through Design) |
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6. Weaver Quad-Lock 49046 (Best for the Money) |
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7. Burris XTR 420181 (Great for Tactical Use) |
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8. UTG Low Pro RG2W1104 (Superior Quality by a Trustworthy Brand) |
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9. Nightforce Optics A118 (Tough, Reliable & Lightweight) |
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10. UTG High Pro RQ2W1206 (Solid & Secure Fit) |
1. Vortex Optics PMR-30-126 – Best Overall
Photo: Vortex
- Fits (Tube Diameter): 30 millimeters
- Material: Aluminum
By milling these scope rings from high-quality aluminum material, Vortex aims to ensure that you get a tough and solid product that will serve you for a long time. This solid and highly durable built is what make these rings our best overall model.
Many users will also love that these top-rated scope rings are precision matched by being kept in pairs throughout the entire manufacturing process to make them perfectly uniform.
The construction also includes a brushed finish that ensures shooters will get an excellent grip and an anti-snag design that will be highly useful for hunters that have to carry their rifle through thick brush.
When you buy these scope rings, you also get a free hex wrench to ensure you do not have to buy one separately.
When compared to other scope rings on our list and out there, these ones are a bit heavier, but with a combined weight of just around 5 ounces, they are still perfect for use on almost any gun.
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2. Vortex Optics Hunter RING-M – Perfect Match for General Hunting Purposes
Photo: Vortex
- Fits (Tube Diameter): 1-inch
- Material: Aluminum
Every hunter knows that picking the wrong scope rings can be the difference between going home with a kill or empty-handed. But, with this pair of rings by Vortex, you can be confident that you have a top-notch product.
The rings are nicely machined from aluminum, and they come in a standard 2-screw design that makes them ideal for general hunting setups. And you can get them in three heights to make them suitable for mounting almost any scope.
These scope rings can be mounted on either Picatinny or Weaver rails, which make them quite versatile, and they are designed to always provide a perfect fit.
Installing and removing these scope rings are also made simpler by the quick detach design and the relative lager screw heads.
Even though these scope rings do not come with specifications on the amount of torque they need, this should be a non-issue because you will be okay if you give them the generally accepted ring torque of around 30 inch-pounds.
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3. UTG AccuShot RGWM-25M4 – Best 1-Inch Scope Ring
Photo: UTG
- Fits (Tube Diameter): 1-inch
- Material: Aluminum
As you shop for the best 1-inch scope rings, UTG is one of those brands that should be in your mind because they make some amazing ones like the AccuShot.
These scope rings will fit all Weaver and Picatinny rails which makes them quite versatile and their design includes a see-through base that is also a great addition as it will allow the use of iron sights.
Installation is also made a lot easy by the fact that the scope uses friendly hex screws with a full-length locking plate and retention features that also ensure a secure fit.
They are also machined from aircraft-grade aluminum allow and with an anodized black matte finish for an appealing look.
With these scope rings, the protective tape on the inside section does not provide complete coverage, but the good news is that the contact with the scope is still good enough.
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4. UTG Med Pro RQ2W1154 – Top Quality and Robust Scope Rings
Photo: UTG
- Fits (Tube Diameter): 1-inch
- Material: Aluminum
There are many things that make these UTG scope rings amazing. But, their top quality aluminum body and steel parts and a more robust design are what many shooters will love most.
These levers are also designed to make mounting and removing the rings quick and easy and also allow for adjustability to fit any Picatinny rail.
And these scope rings will also include high-quality protective tape on the internal surface to ensure excellent contact with the scope.
While it is true that the tensions lever will give these scope rings a larger profile than what some users might like, this is a small price to pay for the convenience of being able to take them off and install them quickly and easily.
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5. Leupold 55880 – Convenient See-Through Scope Rings
Photo: Leupold
- Fits (Tube Diameter): 1-inch
- Material: Aluminum
With the see-through design of these Leupold scope rings, you can easily change your scopes and do it super-fast, which makes these rings quite convenient and reliable.
The scope rings are machined from aircraft-grade aluminum that makes them solid and rugged to ensures a lifetime of great service while still keeping their weight down.
The highly precise machining of the rings ensures that they will be perfectly uniform for excellent mounting.
Both the fit and finish of the rings are flawless, and you will be happy to have it on your gun. And you can be sure it will be there serving you well for many years as Leupold also provides a full lifetime guarantee to give you some assurances.
Despite the bottom being see-through, these scope rings might not be very good for use with iron sights, but for small budget scope rings, this should not be a deal breaker.
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6. Weaver Quad-Lock 49046 – Best Scope Ring for the Money
Photo: Weaver
- Fits (Tube Diameter): 1-inch
- Material: Aluminum
Being the cheapest among our scope rings review, Weaver Quad-Lock will be perfect for hunters that are looking for extremely durable but high-quality scope rings.
One of the key highlights of these scope rings is the two straps and four screws design as it ensures you always get extra grip power.
But these all-aluminum gun accessories will also include thumb screws to allow for quick detach, and besides being quite solid, they also offer top-notch recoil resistance.
These Weaver rings have also been designed to handle almost any scope-mounting needs, and you can be confident that they will work for you regardless of the scope you have.
These scope rings seem a little too low for some scopes, but in many instances, there will still be more than enough clearance between the scope and gun’s barrel.
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7. Burris XTR 420181 – Unbeatable Tactical Use Scope Rings
Photo: Burris
- Fits (Tube Diameter): 1-inch
- Material: Aluminum
Finding good scope rings for tactical use is not always easy due to the pressure and requirements that come with the job, but Burris XTR is one of the best options out there.
This top-notch scope ring has been designed to fit both Weaver and Picatinny rails, and besides its suitability for tactical use, it will also be ideal for hunting and use on muzzleloaders and slug guns.
Generally, these are also quite a lightweight scope rings as they weight under 5 ounces. And they are designed to provide plenty of holding power which is mostly thanks to the 6-screw design.
Another element of this scope ring that most users will love is that it has been designed to handle the heaviest recoil a typical tactical rifle can produce.
This might not be the best scope ring for mounting a scope on an AR platform, but this does not mean that it cannot work for these styles of guns.
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8. UTG Low Pro RG2W1104 – Superior Quality Scope Ring by a Trustworthy Brand
Photo: UTG
- Fits (Tube Diameter): 1-inch
- Material: Aluminum
Despite the more affordable price tag, this scope ring is still a high-quality product manufactured by a highly reputable brand. And it is one of best scope rings for long range shooting as it is designed to withstand the heavy recoil that comes with using powerful long-range rifles.
It is a 4-screw low profile ring that has been machined from top notch quality aircraft-grade aluminum for maximum strength.
With the twist lock design, the installation will be easier and faster even for inexperienced shooters, and this is generally a lightweight scope ring with a see-through tunnel and slot cut.
Also, the internal surface of the ring includes a synthetic protective tape to provide excellent contact and protect your scope.
The scope ring is optimized to provide an excellent fit for both Picatinny and Weaver rails, and with strong recoil stop cross bolt to optimize the fit.
If you are using a high caliber rifle, the screws seem to loosen a little too fast or at least faster than many shooters would like, but tightening them takes little effort.
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9. Nightforce Optics A118 – Tough, Reliable and Lightweight Scope Rings
Photo: Nightforce
- Fits (Tube Diameter): 30 millimeters
- Material: Titanium
If you are one of the many shooters and hunters out there shopping for tough and highly reliable scope rings that do not add a lot of weight to your rifle, Nightforce has you covered with this model.
Their ultra-lightweight (4-ounce) titanium alloy construction with a hard anodized finish and the titanium cross bolt and jaws make them some of the best 30 mm scope rings as they ensure it will provide many years of great service
These exceptionally strong scope rings are also designed to provide a perfect fit. Because they do not have many screws most users will find them super easy to install and remove.
For the shooters that are also concerned with how everything on their gun looks, these rings have a simple but highly attractive finish.
The only notable shortcoming is that these rings are a bit pricey, and this is more so given that they are the priciest among out scope rings review. But, given their quality and weight, they are worth the extra expense.
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10. UTG High Pro RQ2W1206 – Solid and Secure Fit Rings
Photo: UTG
- Fits (Tube Diameter): 1-inch
- Material: Aluminum
With its high-profile, 6-screw design instead of the usual 4 or 2, this UTG product is one of the best scope rings for Picatinny rails not only on our list but also on the market as it will always provide a secure fit.
To make them even better, these scope rings are also machined from aircraft-grade aluminum alloy that makes them quite solid, and with an anodized black matte finish.
The robust and ergonomic quick detach levers make it easy to install and remove the rings, and they are fully adjustable to ensure that they can fit any Picatinny rail.
And the internal surface of the scopes will include some high-quality synthetic tape that will ensure the rings do not damage your scope and also provide excellent contact.
With the tight tolerance and repeatable positive locking, these scope rings will also ensure that you always get optimal re-zero performance.
Some buyers will find the scope rings heavier than expected as they weigh over 8 ounces, but the good news is that the few extra ounces are due to its sturdier and more solid construction.
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How to Buy the Best Scope Rings
You need to watch out for the following important things when shopping for good scope rings.
1. Popular Scope Ring Types
Before you even start shopping for scope rings, you will first need to decide on the type to buy. Although there are different ways of classifying them, the mounting system or style is the most common and based on this classification, the following are the 4 most popular types.
Weaver Rings
Weaver style rings are some of the most popular and perhaps also what many gun enthusiasts prefer to use.
These rings feature a flat wide base (7/8-inch) with crosswire recoil slots cut out. What many shooters love most about Weaver style rings is that you can easily take off the scope without removing the base.
Picatinny Rings: These are quite similar to Weaver-style rings, but the main difference is the width of the recoil lugs at the bottom.
With Picatinny rings, the recoil lugs are thicker than what you get on the Weaver rings. And this means that the Weaver rings can fit a Picatinny base but in most instances, Picatinny rings will not fit Weaver bases.
Leupold-Style Rings: Many manufacturers will use the Leupold-style rings as an alternative standard to measure non-Weaver style rings.
These rings are often solid steel and come in a sleek design. They differ with Weaver rings in that the front ring has a press fit and they are also not easy to detach from the firearm.
Dovetail Rings: Dovetail rings are the kinds that will have a wedge cut along the bottom to fit the groove at the top of the gun. These are typically used on grooved receivers usually found on air guns and .22 rifles, and they come in a variety of sizes to hold different scope diameters.
2. Compatibility
The best rifle scope ring for you is one that is able to work with both your scope and rifle. Although some claim to be widely adjustable for a universal fit, there are hardly any rings that will work for all tube diameters.
Hence, before you buy scope rings, you need to check the compatibility and make sure that they are the right size for your scopes diameter and will also work with the mounting base you have.
Also, the rings should be able to work with the rail that you have, and something that can work with both Picatinny and Weaver rails like Burris XTR 420181 will be perfect.
3. Material
The material used to make the scope rings is a key determinant of durability, and so it is also one of the most important things to consider when shopping.
Like the scope and mounting bases, scope rings will typically be made from either steel or aluminum as they are both durable materials.
Steel is more durable than aluminum but many manufacturers will still prefer to make their scope rings with aircraft grade aluminum alloy because besides being also durable, it offers the advantage of being lightweight.
Also, titanium alloy rings like Nightforce Optics A118 will be super tough and still lightweight to ensure no significant weight is added to your rifle.
4. Height
It is vital to make sure that your scope is as close to the gun's barrel as possible but without touching it, and so the scope rings need to be just the right height to ensure this.
The right scope ring height for you will depend on the diameter of the objective lens in the scope. For scopes with larger lenses, the rings will need to be taller to ensure proper scope mounting and better optical functionality.
5. Price
Scope rings will definitely not cost the same as the scopes, but because you are still spending your hard earned cash, their price still matters a lot.
And like with every other gun accessory, you always get what you pay for, and so you should avoid going too cheap and instead come up with a budget and look for the best rings within that budget.
You can get good scope rings like for Weaver Quad-Lock 49046 as little as under $10, but some can retail for upwards of $200. And so it is all up to the quality and features that you want and how much you are ready to spend.
Read More: 7 Best Scope Mounts
Conclusion
For the many shooters and hunters that do not have the time to shop around or compare different scope rings, we have done the work for you and all you need to do is choose one scope rings model from our scope rings review.
But, if you prefer to get straight to the point the Weaver Quad-Lock 49046 is the perfect choice for those shopping for something more affordable.
That said, the Vortex Optics PMR-30-126 is our best overall model thanks to a solid aluminum build, anti-snag design and superior fit and overall performance.