How many of you guys mount your own scopes align and lap your steel rings?

I have been doing it with the Wheeler kit for a year or so now when I use Leupold STD rings. I think it works. I have had one Vari X III 4.5-14 on and off three different times for one reason or another and there's not a mark on them. And that was shot thru a 300RUM. Before, it would slide sometimes on the 300RUM.

I am not sure how much lapping to do however. I usually follow the directions and lap until I have no grind left from the compound. Wipe off and start over. I do this 3 times. I am mounting a real nice gloss scope right now on a 7mm-8. And want to make sure I don't mar it up since I trade and sale so often. So am in the process of lapping.

You did it again. You got my attention and I’m curious, so what is it to lap your rings?

trailer, rings are all not true in dimension. Some rings have to be lapped
(honed) so when you tighten the rings it won't tweek the scope.
Brownells sells the kit for this purpose. Ring alignment tool.
I sometimes use Jewelers Rouge

http://www.brownells.com

I have a kit from Wheeler that comes with 600grit lapping compound. It comes with alignment 1" pieces that helps you to align dovetail rings. Then you can start lapping. You put the compound on a 1" (or 30mm) steel rod and mount like you would a scope. You then work the rod back and forth to remove/hone the inside of the rings. Now they should be more or less more round than before. It removes and burrs from the inside of the rings also and gives a more positive contact for the rings to scope.

I like it cause I hate scope rings with inserts. I can never keep them zero'd on hard recoiling guns. So I like leupold steel rings. But they sometimes leave ring marks on your scopes. And I trade and sale alot and don't like that.

They claim also it keeps the scope more aligned so its not "torqued" which they say can cause POI changes, scope damage, etc.

I lap Leupold Rings and Ruger rings. Ruger rings IMHO are some of the worst aligned rings made and have to be lapped. I have not had a single scope using Ruger Rings on a Number 1 or 77 that did not get scope marks on it not a one. They are easy to lap though and no problems after that procedure. I usually lap 75% of the surface more or less before I place the scope in the rings. I also cold blue the inside surfaces that were lapped especially Leupolds otherwise they will rust.

OEH, I bought the Gunsmith ring alignment tool and honing kit
from Brownells.

After you lap the rings do you put some kind of finish or oil to protect the raw steel from rust before mounting the scope?

good idea OEH. Never thought of that. But I never took the ones I lapped into the wilds.

trailer, you can do as OEH mentioned or apply a thin coat
of Motion Lotion (vasaline) on them.

What do you think the percentage of hunters do lap there rings. Until now I have never heard of this procedure. I was always very careful in lining up the rings but never thought there could have been another step. Learned something new today.