Worth the hype?

Not if you buy quality rings.

Whether you see a noticeable difference between lapped/ not is debatable, but my personal experience is that every set of rings I've lapped over the years has started out with less than 50% contact (and most start out closer to 25%) I don't know what is considered "quality" but I most often use Leupold and Talley and I use ring mounts whenever I can. Can you get away without lapping, probably, am I willing to risk it, no. If you're throwing a $99 vortex on a $350 rifle, I can understand the hesitance to pay the money for the tools/ service but when you're putting a $500+ scope on a $1000+ rifle there isn't a reason not to have it mounted perfectly.

if you feel the need to lap, just get some burris signatures with the poly inserts

I agree however i've ran into some bad ones. Had to send back some high dolla Leupolds back last year smh, and came across few others during the years

I picked up a lapping kit last year.

I have a kit, got it on clearance. I’ve never used it.

I lap all my rings regardless of quality.

I have a new DNZ mount coming. I’ve heard they don’t need lapping, but I might give it a shot.

Anything but dnz. One bolt per side of ring cap is no bueno for me.

Friends don't let friends use DNC fugly mounts.

Never Lap Rings ..... I consider it a total waste of time.

I also can't imagine buying a set of Rings that were 50% contact. That is nutty but I'm not saying it doesn't exist. I think Tasco rings from 1985 from Wal-Mart were much better than that.

Modern machinery tolerances are ALL much better than they were just a decade ago and a decade before that. That's why you have cheap plastic rifles like Tikkas that allegedly shoots almost as good as an equally crappy Ruger American. Tolerances and modern machining.

That plays out equally in rings. That's why I never lap it's a waste of time I just shoot Burris Signatures and don't fool with this ever. Not on my radar.

Give it a try.... you might figure out nobody really cares about your fancy rings. Better to just use what actually works IMO.

If you think it helps go for it. Or just buy Talleys and not worry about it. Knew a benchrest fellow that was a machinist who explained that proper scope mounting was the real solution. Old Harry killed house flies at 100 yards with sugar water on playing cards with his .222 contender killed deer with his 6 Ppc and spent well over 5K a year on reloading supplies. I miss that old man.

I’ve never lapped any rings but then again I’ve never seen any not sit flush if I did my job with installation.
I understand the gist, but I’ve never had an issue that called for it.
I also LIKE DNZ rings though, they make them with two screws per side fyi.

easiest solution (in my mind) would be “bedding” the scope in the rings. never done it but makes the most sense with the least amount of effort. have bedded actions and pic rails. there’s no arguing rather it not it helped or was needed when u take them apart after 12 hours and u can see where the voids were.

I use Talley Lightweight alloy rings and have never had a problem or needed lapping.

Typical hunting rifle unless you don’t mind ring mark no.. if you’re a perfectionist then yes.. I’ve never seen a production rifle that all the holes in the receiver and ring/bases line up perfectly.. let alone the base holes and bore line up bet then again I’m a stickler for an amateur

Just bought some Sako rings with the poly inserts. Pretty cool !!!