If you plan on doing any long-distance shooting, there’s a good chance you’re going to need a scope. And as a result, you also are going to need some scope rings. Whether you plan on shooting long distances while hunting or on the range, I am going to show you some of the best 34mm scope rings out there. 34mm scope tubes are becoming the new standard on the market. If you decide this is a route you want to take, you’re going to need 34mm scope rings to fit the new tubes.
While some scopes come with scope rings included, there’s still a number of scopes that don’t come with their own rings. Choosing the right scope rings for your rifle can be a daunting task. We’re going to you shed some light on a few options in a variety of price ranges.
A lot of the information we’re going to cover is useful just in general. And in reality, most scope rings made by manufacturers today come in a variety of different sizes. Feel free to stick around even if 34mm scope rings aren’t on your radar today.
Ready to choose the best scope rings for your 34mm scope and for your rifle? Let’s get to work.
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- Extremely lightweight
- Durable
- Easy-to-mount
- Made from Titanium and Aluminum Alloy
- Built-to-last
- Extremely Durable
- Quick-detach or Standard
- Adjustable Mount
- Great Value
Best 34mm Scope Rings Review
1) Vortex Optics Precision Matched Riflescope Rings
Look here y’all, we already live in a hectic world where it seems every second counts. That’s why I prefer quick-detach scope rings. You can’t ignore the quality of the work that goes into these Vortex Optics Precision scope rings either. The people at Vortex did a great job in designing and manufacturing this excellent set of riflescope rings.
These rugged rings are made of coat and anodized 7075 T6 aluminum which makes them extremely light and resistant. Despite weighing in at under 3 ounces, these riflescope rings are durable. They not only withstand the impact of high-caliber bullets, but they also stand up well to the occasional drop.
Given they manufacture a load of these rings at a time, there should be no difference between the two. In fact, the quality control measures that Vortex has in place create an extremely tight tolerance in production: 0.0005 inches. You can put them on both picatinny rails and weaver mounts. Picatinny rails are standard on most rifles, but you can’t help but wish that these rings were also compatible with other types of mounts.
While changing your scope is not as easy with these rings as it is with a quick release scope mount, these Vortex Optics Precision rings keep everything stable and perfectly level. Tough to get upset when a product does exactly what it’s supposed to do.
Don’t get me wrong, mounting the scope isn’t hard. It’s just not as simple as with the quick-detach scopes. All you have to do is unscrew the four screws that hold the rings together and insert your scope. Not that time-consuming, but as I mentioned before, I’m a sucker for the quick-detach option.
From a logistics perspective, these 34mm scope rings will hold your scope at a height of 19.3mm from the base. This will be the perfect height for a lot of you enthusiasts out there. Many other shooters prefer, 30mm Scope Rings but it depends on your specific.
Do these rings work with weaver style bases?
Yes. The Vortex Optics Precision scope rings will work with picatinny and weaver rails.
What type of screws do the 34mm rings use?
The Vortex Optics Precision scope rings use 8-32 large head screws. You will need a T20 Torx-head to unscrew them.
2) Nightforce X-Treme Ring Set
- Made from Titanium and Aluminum Alloy
- Built-to-last
- Extremely Durable
Most scope rings are pretty similar, but every now and then you’ll find some features that set them apart. For this Nightforce ring set, that special something is the material that the rings are made of. In addition to 7075 T6 aluminum, the Nightforce X-Treme rings are also made out of titanium.
And just by looking at them, you might think they were pretty heavy. But with the titanium in the mix, that’s not the case at all. Sure, they are a bit heavier than the Vortex Optics Precision scope rings, but they are still extremely lightweight in comparison to a lot of the scope rings on the market today.
As soon as you pick these rings up, you notice how sturdy they are. When installing them on your rifle, you’ll realize that these rings are not only durable but solid as well.
If you are prone to dropping your rifle (eek!), rest assured that these rings will hold up quite nicely. We can’t say the same for your rifle though. The titanium and aluminum used in construction make them stronger than other rings made of steel.
One potential downside to these rings is that they only fit picatinny rails. Unlike the Vortex Optics Precision rings, these aren’t compatible with weaver or other types of rails. This isn’t a huge issue, but it’s something we wanted to point out just in case.
You could do a whole lot worse than these Nightforce scope rings.
How is the 1.5-inch height measured?
The 1.5-inch height is measured from the base to the center of the rings.
3) Burris AR-PEPR Scope Mount
Burris[1]https://www.burrisoptics.com/ makes the AR-PEPR scope mount in both a quick-detach and a normal version. With the exception of the quick-detach mechanism, the mounts are essentially the same. When compared to the other mounts we’ve discussed, the AR-PEPR doesn’t quite match up from a construction-quality perspective. This mount gets the job done even though it’s built with inferior materials.
The main objective when you’re looking to buy a scope mount is to get something that will hold the scope in place. The Burris AR-PEPR definitely checks that box since it provides a firm and steady holding for your scope.
In regards to the manufacturing of this scope mount, it seems Burris could do some things better. Even though the mount itself is made from T6 aluminum, the inserts are cheaply made out of plastic. Eventually, these plastic inserts will inevitably break or wear down over time. And when that happens, the entire scope mount is rendered useless.
The Burris AR-PEPR scope mount is also very bulky and weighs more than a lot of other mounts out there. Given that the rings are made out of titanium, it’s sure to survive a few kinks here and there, but again, the whole mount is only as good as its weakest parts (the plastic inserts).
On the plus side, it is an adjustable mount. You can adjust the MOA from 5 to 20. I don’t know why you would want to adjust MOA after mounting and zeroing in your scope. But it is an option that is available should you wish to do it.
In addition to the adjustable mount, the Burris AR-PEPR scope mount also co-witnesses almost perfectly with the iron sights. Even if something happens to your scope, you will always be able to set your sights on a target. Scopes rings are a critical part of learning How to mount a scope on AR-15 with front sight and other weapons!
In reality, this scope mount is just fine. The plastic inserts are by far this mount’s biggest weakness. If you are lucky, they (hopefully) won’t cause you any problems. You could do better than this option in this price range, but either way, the Burris AR-PEPR scope mount is a serviceable option.
Is the MOA adjustable?
Yes, you can adjust the MOA from 5 to 20.
4) Leupold PRW2 Riflescope Rings
While riflescope mounts aren’t exactly expensive, there is a relatively wide price range in this space. The Leupold[2]https://www.leupold.com/ PRW2s fall into the lower end of the price range. These scope rings are great for newer shooters who are on a budget. Experienced shooters will probably want a more premium option. As long as they understand the pros and cons, this could fit the bill for them as well.
Unlike most riflescope rings, the Leupold PRW2s are made from steel. As a result, they weigh more and are denser than a lot of their competitors. Not only are they heavier, but they also aren’t manufactured with an iodized coating. Instead, they are matte-black-painted steel.
Even though the finish and build aren’t the leaders in the space, the Leupold PRW2s perform as expected. They mount onto cross-slot platforms and hold your scope fairly well. User beware, these rings might scratch your scope.
It was very difficult to close the rings once the scope was mounted. As a result, you will probably end up scratching your scope. This might not be a big deal if you’re already using a budget scope, but it’s important to understand this on the front end if these types of things bother you.
Although these rings generally hold well, you probably want to steer clear of using them on a high-caliber weapon. There is a chance that the base might come loose with the recoil, but we expect that you probably won’t be shooting powerful weapons with such an inexpensive set of riflescope rings. These scope rings go great with several of the best rifle scope under 300 as well.
For the shooter on a budget, the Leupold PRW2s are great — assuming they are using budget equipment in general. If you are using a good scope and a high-caliber rifle, then invest in a higher quality set of scope rings.
What is the recommended torque for the Leupold PRW2?
The recommended torque for these rings is somewhere between 15 to 20 lbs.
5) Spuhr 34mm QDP Riflescope Mount
The Spuhr[3]https://spuhrwebshop.com/en/ 34mm is the exact opposite of the Leupold PRW2 mount — it is an expensive scope for the experienced shooter that wants the best money can buy.
This is a T6 aluminum mount with a black matte finish and a quick-detach cantilever system. The craftsmanship of this scope is top-notch, and you will find it very difficult to find something to complain about — if we don’t consider the weight as an issue.
The Spuhr QDP is exceptionally built, but it is also very heavy. The mount weighs a bit over 9 ounces and you will definitely note the added weight. Once you get comfortable with the weight, you will discover that this is a great mount.
For starters, it is very rugged. There’s some undeniable quality to the build and the immediate feel that you could drop it 1,000 times that it wouldn’t leave a single dent. There is also a built-in level that also comes in handy. But, if you were to ask me, I’d say that the main attraction of the Spuhr QDP is the option to install several optical accessories straight into the mount.
The rings on the Spuhr QDP have several holes where you can fit a variety of accessories, saving precious space on your weapon’s rails. Of course, this functionality might not interest the occasional shooter who only uses a single scope, but the gearheads will surely love the set-up possibilities that the Spuhr QDP gives them.
The quick-detach system also works exceptionally well. After you zero the scope, removing and re-inserting the mount has no effect on the accuracy of your scope — this is truly an excellent mount.
If you want the best money can buy, then you sure get your money’s worth with the Spuhr QDP. Most Types of Scopes are compatible with this ring set. If shooting is something you only do occasionally and you don’t use any accessories beside the scope, then this mount is probably overkill.
Best 34mm Scope Rings Buyer’s Guide
What are scope rings?
Usually, a rifle and a scope are two separate pieces of equipment. The scope does not come welded to the rifle, which is generally great for customization. Without an included scope, users are free to attach the scopes they want to, and truly make their rifle their own. Some people will ask “what size scope rings do I need?” the truth is it depends on your rifle!
But, regardless of the scope someone chooses for their rifle, the scope does not automatically attach to the rifle (well, at least not in most cases). To attach the scope to the rifle you need a separate piece of equipment: scope rings.
Scope rings are, exactly as the name indicates, rings for your scope. They attach to the rifle’s rail at the base and open up so you can insert your scope. Besides varying in size and in material, there are several different types of rings with different functionalities.
One of the most popular types of scope rings is the “quick-detach” type. Quick-detach scope rings have a cantilever system which allows users to quickly remove them from the rifle — which is great if you use more than one scope on the same rifle.
The advantage of such a system is the fact that you don’t have to zero your scope again after reinserting it — if the rings are any good, at least.
Rings without a quick-detach system are bolted down to the rails. Their function is exactly the same as the quick-detach rings, but the process of removing them or replacing a scope is more laborious.
Scope rings are a necessity if you intend on using a scope — without them you will not be able to install your scope on your rifle.
How to choose 34mm scope rings?
The following advice is good for every type of scope rings, regardless of its size: you should choose scope rings that fit both your rifle and your scope. This isn’t a hot take by any means, but a lot of people buy random scope rings online without knowing whether they fit or not.
So, the important thing is that you know your type of rail and the measurements of your preferred scope. Then, once you have that in mind, you just need to choose a set of scope rings that fits both your desired budget and the functionalities.
If you are someone who uses several different types of scopes, then it probably can be worth it to invest a bit more and go for a quick-detach mount, even if it means that you will have to buy a separate mount for each of your scopes.
The negative part of doing things this way is that you will have to buy more than one mount. The plus side is that you will be able to quickly interchange your scopes without having to zero them again. This is probably not the best method for everyone, but I know that there are users who wouldn’t be able to do things differently.
Even when you get into quick-detach mounts, there are many different types of mounts — some will be expensive, others will be more considerate on your wallet. When you get to that point, you have to factor in what you value the most: do you want a mount that lets you adjust the MOA? Do you want a mount that fits most rail-types? These things come with a price.
On the other hand, you can go the cheap route and buy a simple mount with no added frills that does its job and nothing else. This isn’t exactly a bad thing — as this list proves, there are many cheap mounts that are actually very good at their job.
Of course, even in the realm of cheap mounts there are better and worst options. Again, it is up to you to balance your budget and choose something that will not leave you disappointed.
In these types of choices, there is usually no right choice. You need to choose something that fits your necessities, your budget and, ultimately, that you are happy with.
How tight should scope rings be?
The actual tightness of the scope rings will depend on the rings and on the scope you are using. Ideally, you want the rings to be snug to the scope, so that it won’t move at all.
The torque you need to use will vary according to the manufacturer, so you probably should consult both your scope and your mount’s owner’s manual.
One thing to keep in mind though: do not over-tighten the scope rings. Doing so can easily damage your scope. Scratching the scope is easy, and there is always the risk of actually damaging some of the sensitive optical elements.
Remember: you want it to be tight, but you don’t want the scope rings to actually compress the scope. Check your owner’s manual and tighten your scope rings accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ring height for 34mm scope?
Can you use 30mm rings on a 34mm scope?
Is it best to mount a scope as low as possible?
Conclusion
When it comes to 34mm scope rings, choosing the best set of rings is a very personal thing. I would love it if there was a right choice which I could point to and tell you that it was it, but sadly there isn’t.
You need to buy a set of scope rings that fits four things: your rifle, your scope, your budget, and your necessities. Since these are all widely varying factors, choosing a “best” scope mount is impossible.
What I can say, however, is that there are some scope rings that set themselves apart. If you are willing to spend a good amount of cash on a set of scope rings, then it is hard to beat the Spuhr QDP scope rings. These rings are very sturdy and will let you install a variety of optical accessories straight into the mount, which is something that truly sets this set of rings apart.
As you would expect, those types of functionalities do come with a price (and in that case with some weight as well). If you are looking for something on the cheaper end, then I can recommend the Leupold PRW2 mount.
While the Leupold mount isn’t something that will interest experienced shooters, it is still a great entry-level mount that will not break the bank. While it might not have the longevity of other riflescope rings, it has a price tag that matches its quality — and it is still very usable.
If you are looking for something in between, then the Nightforce X-TREME ring set is an excellent alternative that will offer plenty of functionalities at a very acceptable price-point.
Which 34mm scope rings do you use on your rifle? Let us know in the comments below.
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