There are a bazillion different kinds of guns out there, many of them tricked out to meet the owner’s exact demands, so it's impossible to lay out what riflescope rings and bases are needed for every single setup, but we'll go over a few of the classics we see all the time.

Traditional bolt gun (No handguard or other accessories covering the barrel)

A one piece Picatinny rail, which we can almost guarantee you can find from our friends at EGW (Evolution Gun Works) for a reasonable price for almost any gun, is the best base. On top, get a two-piece riflescope ring set in the absolute best quality you can afford.

For darn near any riflescope and traditional bolt gun setup, medium height rings will work just fine. Contrary to popular belief, the riflescope does not have to be as close to the barrel as possible. It is more important to have the riflescope at the correct height for the shooter to achieve a comfortable cheek weld. Only go high for clearance reasons - a riflescope that's mounted too high will also result in an uncomfortable and inconsistent cheek weld.

So… Which Riflescope Rings Should You Get?

All Vortex^® riflescope rings will provide a lock-down hold on your optic. But one model may be better for you than another. Here’s how to choose your rings:

Sport Riflescope Rings – Available in a variety of heights and tube sizes, Sport Riflescope Rings are ideal for your first set of rings and beyond. Get these if you’re just looking to get shooting with reliable rings for minimal investment.

Pro Riflescope Rings –A step up in tolerance and build, Pro Riflescope Rings are meticulously machined to be the ideal balance between lightweight and rock-solid. Get these riflescope rings for a premium mounting solution.

Precision Matched Riflescope Rings (PMR) – When you know every detail matters, when you expect the best possible hold, PMR rings deliver with incredibly tight tolerances of .0005". These riflescope rings are made from a single bar of aluminum and kept together throughout the manufacturing process to guarantee perfection. Get these rings if you demand the absolute best.

AR-15 and similar flat top carbines with handguards over the barrel

Use a one-piece cantilever mount rather than a two-piece ring setup. One-piece cantilevers allow you to keep the whole mount back over the receiver, so none of it must mount to any portion of the handguard, which is often a separate piece and could present alignment issues if used with two-piece rings. Cantilever mounts also raise the riflescope up high enough for a comfortable cheek weld with the stock directly in line with the receiver, and they push the riflescope forward far enough to get proper eye relief for the best optical quality and most forgiving eye box when shooting.

It's important to note - some people really want to keep a set of backup irons on their gun, even though backup irons are solely developed to be a backup aiming device for red dots and holographic sights which, if their battery dies, have literally no point of aim at all. Any riflescope or prism scope with a physical reticle, whether illuminated or not, doesn't need this kind of backup, because if a battery dies, then you still have the reticle as a point of aim.

Regardless, if you MUST use backup irons, then be mindful of the mount height as well as your eyepiece diameter in order to clear that rear sight. If you have a set of low-profile irons, then you should be good with a normal cantilever mount). If you have a bigger, bulkier rear backup sight, then you may need to take some measurements and compare against the dimensions given on the riflescope and mount manufacturer’s websites.

So… Which Mount Should You Get?

All Vortex^® mounts will provide a lock-down hold on your optic, with useful features like our recommended torque weight engraved right into the mount, and ideal head positioning built right in. But one model may be better for you than another. Here’s how to choose your mount:

Sport Cantilever Mount – Lightweight but tough, these mounts take the punishment of range day without weighing you down. Built to get your head into an ideal shooting position while saving space on your rail, Sport Mounts are an ideal starting mount. Get these if you want to hit the range with a simple, powerful mount that will save you some cash for ammo.

Pro Cantilever Mount – Tighter tolerances deliver an even more powerful hold, with a mount that can take three-gun dump barrels and sunup to sundown shooting sessions. Get these if you want even more durability and power.

Precision Extended Cantilever Mount – For serious competitors, or for home defense/duty use, these mounts offer unrivaled hold and durability, with extras like an optional quick release mount and 20 MOA of cant available. Get this mount if you depend on your equipment, or if you simply demand the best.

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