Product FAQs2020-02-10T10:50:59-05:00
What scope rings do you recommend?2020-02-06T13:02:26-05:00

If lapping and RingTrue Tape are used, we see no need to spend $150 or more for a pair of rings. Most rings that cost less than $75/pair are machined from extruded aluminum stock. These rings require lapping to remove the extrusion grooves and maximize contact area. For conventional rings, we’ve found that Burris and Weaver 4-Hole Skeletonized rings are reliable and affordable. For tactical rings, we recommend Burris Tactical, Weaver 6-Hole Tactical and Warne Maxima Horizontal rings. After lapping, any of these rings will provide near-perfect alignment and work very well with RingTrue Tape. For affordable, fully machined rings, we recommend PRI Tactical, TPS HRT, Warne Mountain Techand Seekins Precision. For more information, see our rings selection guide.

I use RingTrue™ Tape, so why can’t I just use cheap Chinese manufactured rings?2020-02-06T13:03:01-05:00

Most rings costing less than $25/pair have one or more fatal flaws: 1. Cheap screws that break when being torqued. 2. Variation in counterbore depth that can allow the cap screw to punch through the cap when being torqued. 3. Oversize ring diameter. These rings are often supplied with a thick fabric tape that does not cover the entire ring surface. These tapes compress over time, causing the ring to loosen, and they can leave a dent the scope tube.

What’s the difference between the original Alignment Tool and the Alignment Tool II?2020-02-06T13:03:29-05:00

They have the same basic design, function and manufacturing tolerances. The Alignment Tool II includes an elastic shock cord with a cord lock, and has two slots cut into the substrate that hold the shock cord. They allow the tool to be temporarily secured to the scope turret so that it doesn’t fall off during the alignment process. The original Alignment Tool must be held in place on the turret with fingers when the rifle is being manipulated.

I dropped my Alignment Tool on the ground and dented one of the corners. Is it ruined?2020-02-06T13:04:29-05:00

No. If it is used a lot, it will eventually get dropped. We simply sand off the damaged corner at 45 degrees to remove the dent. After doing this to one corner, we then repeat for all corners to make the tool look symmetrical. Removing the corners does not alter the function of the tool.

Using fully machined rings, why should I need to lap or use RingTrue™ Tape? Isn’t the machining tolerance so good that ring alignment is nearly perfect?2020-02-06T13:27:10-05:00

First, perfectly machined rings cannot correct for a bent or twisted rail, which can happen if the rail was improperly installed on the receiver. Second, on high recoil rifles, the scope can slip in fully machined rings because the surface contact area is low (due to the matte anodized surface of the scope tube). That is why some folks use three or four rings instead of just two. Using RingTrue Tape, only two rings are needed to keep a scope from slipping, even on high recoil magnum and 50BMG rifles.

My rings fit so tight that the scope tube won’t fit in the saddle after I applied the RingTrue™ Tape. What should I do?2020-02-06T13:27:49-05:00

This sometimes happens with fully machined rings. We usually insert the cap screws into the saddle and pull the saddle apart a bit with fingers by pulling on the screw heads. If the rings are too stiff for this process, you may not be able to use RingTrue Tape without lapping the rings. This is one reason we favor lapping rings before applying RingTrue Tape – the lapping process slightly increases the ring diameter.

When I removed my scope, the RingTrue™ Tape left a residue on the scope tube and rings. How do I remove this residue?2020-02-06T13:28:39-05:00

This sometimes happens. The residue is easily removed by wiping with acetone or lacquer thinner on a rag or paper towel. Do not get acetone on any other part of the scope or rifle.

I dropped my Alignment Tool on the ground and the spirit level fell off. Is this damage covered under the warrantee?2020-02-06T13:29:57-05:00

Yes. Please email us a photo of the damaged tool and we will send you a replacement. This happened a few times for Alignment Tools that were manufactured during the first year. We subsequently altered the bonding process for the spirit level and it hasn’t happened again in several years.

The double stick tape on the back of the substrate has gotten dirty and will no longer stick to the scope objective bell. How do I replace the tape?2020-02-06T13:31:05-05:00

Peel off the tape and remove the residue adhesive from the substrate using isopropyl alcohol (91% or higher) on a clean rag. Then apply a ½” x 2.5” strip of Scotch™ brand double-sided tape to the substrate.

What is the return rate for Alignment Tools?2020-02-06T13:31:37-05:00

The overall return rate is less than 1%, including both warrantee returns and “buyer’s remorse”.

I can’t find my Swarovski keyring tool. How do I remove the BT turret coupling?2020-02-06T13:32:12-05:00

A 3/8″ nylon washer and an M4 screw can be used instead of the keyring tool.

Are the turret labels durable?2020-02-06T13:32:48-05:00

Yes, they are resistant to water, temperature changes and ultraviolet light, and will not peel off during normal use. We still use turrets that had labels applied six years ago.

Why do you supply multiple labels?2020-02-06T13:33:28-05:00

We provide extra labels to enable folks to use the same turret blank with a different label, and then switch back. For example, customers sometimes switch from the original IPHY or mil label to a custom ballistic label, and then want to go back to the IPHY/mil label to develop a drop table for a new load.

Where are HighPowerOptics products made?2020-02-06T13:34:10-05:00

If the product says ‘Made in the USA’, then it is designed, fabricated and assembled in the USA. We do not always know the country of origin for some of the minor parts that we use, like shock cord or cord locks. Some of our products may be mostly made of parts sourced in Asia or Europe. If so, then we say that on the product page.

Why do you perform a drop test on your products?2020-02-06T13:34:42-05:00

Our first product releases only had warranty returns when the product was damaged after the customer dropped it on the floor. We accept that people will occasionally drop things. We design our products to survive 10 random drops from a 3 ft height onto a hardwood floor. The product must not crack, break or exhibit any bondline delamination. We invest substantial product engineering and process development effort into meeting this requirement.

How are your shipping costs determined?2020-02-06T13:35:30-05:00

We frequently review our packaging and shipping methods, and update them to reduce the overall shipping cost. We find that USPS offers convenience and affordable shipping rates. USPS is also very reliable for the classes of shipping that we use. Our shipping costs include the total labor cost for fulfillment of the order, but do not include any profit.

Do you ship outside the US/Canada?2020-02-06T13:36:10-05:00

No. Export/import laws are complex, with excessive paperwork and duties/fees that are difficult to accurately predict.

Do your products on your website cost the same as they do when listed on eBay?2020-02-06T13:36:41-05:00

No. The eBay marketplace benefits customers because eBay’s policies provide a higher level of buyer protection. For their service, eBay charges us 10% on each sale. We split that extra cost with the buyer and charge an extra 5% for products listed on eBay. Also, the cost of shipping ($5) is added to the sales price on eBay, whereas the shipping cost is added to our website sales at checkout.

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