Burris Xtreme Tactical Rifle Scope Rings - Hands on Review

I imagine the most "extreme" feature of these rings was their ability to piss me the fuck off trying to install them. First time around, got them mounted up with a mid-range 3-9x40 Bushnell. First trip to the range and i cant even get a group out of it, much less zero the scope. The rifle and loads have delivered .33moa groups in the past, and the scope hasn't given me any trouble either, so the only new factor here is the rings.

Took it back to the workbench, pulled the scope off and started tinkering. My most noteworthy findings where 1) the base bolts for both rings where set at different depths, which turns out to be the reason point of impact was skewed so far to the right, 2) the rings where only making about 15% contact with the scope. Took me a half hour with a lapping bar and 220 grit compound to get it into the 80-85% range, at which point it became clear I was nearing the point of taking off too much material. I was hoping for at least 90% scope/ring contact, but will settle with what I've got for now. 3) The finish is garbage. It looked tough in the package, but it rubbed up against a strip of velcro on my range bag, which was sufficient to put a big ugly nick in it.

Long story short, I really have no good things to say about these rings. I only bought them out of curiosity, but at this point I've all but written them off. I hope the next range visit finds that all the extra work paid off, but I won't be holding my breath. From now on, I will be sticking with good old American steel. Shame on me for straying from the Leupold PRWs that have treated me so well in the past.