10 Best Scope Mount For Ruger American Rimfire of 2026 To Clear The Bolt Handle
Grabbing a standard centerfire Ruger American base is the easiest trap to fall into, and it usually ends with stripped receiver threads or a jammed bolt. While these rifles share a family name, their receiver contours and screw hole spacings are entirely different. Forcing the wrong hardware onto a rimfire action wastes an afternoon at the bench, risks chewing up soft aluminum receiver holes, and leaves an optic sitting right where the cycling bolt handle bashes into the eyepiece. Even when the screws appear to bite, low-sitting rings can pin the objective bell against the tapered barrel, turning what should have been a fun day of plinking into an exercise in pure frustration.
Getting a crisp, reliable setup means building around the exact dimensions of that rimfire receiver so the bolt cycles freely and your crosshairs stay locked on target. A dedicated rimfire-specific screw pattern eliminates thread stress, while choosing a medium-profile mount gives both a standard 40mm objective bell and that upward bolt flick plenty of breathing room. Opting for a multi-slot rail also grants the flexible ring spacing needed to set comfortable eye relief for field hunting or target shooting. The options below align cleanly with your receiver contour, keep the bolt throw unobstructed, and hold a dependable zero round after round.
- ARS Mark8.7
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- BrandWOSUWENGE
- ARS Mark7.3
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- BrandDNZ
- ARS Mark9.5
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- BrandEastern Tactical Supply
- ARS Mark7.7
ARS Mark is a ranking system developed by bestairriflescopes.com. ARS Mark has no relationship or impact from any manufacturers or sales agent websites. Learn more
- BrandGotical
- ARS Mark9.3
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- BrandTalley
- ARS Mark8.9
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- BrandEGW
- ARS Mark7.1
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- BrandCVLIFE
- ARS Mark9.0
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- BrandRiot Balls
- ARS Mark7.8
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- BrandMonstrum
- ARS Mark9.6
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- BrandCVLIFE
Last update on 2026-09-28 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
Will a standard centerfire Ruger American mount fit a Ruger American Rimfire?
No, centerfire mounts do not match the receiver contour or screw hole spacing on rimfire models. Ruger American Rimfire receivers require a dedicated base machined specifically for their dimensions across .22 LR, .22 WMR, and .17 HMR platforms. Mounting systems like the Monstrum Rimfire Picatinny rail or the EGW Tactical Scope Mount (part 46170) align directly with the factory drilled and tapped holes, preventing receiver thread damage and uneven base seating.
Will a medium profile mount clear both the bolt handle throw and the scope objective bell?
Usually yes, but clearance depends on your specific scope dimensions. A medium setup, such as the Game Reaper 1-inch medium mount (RAR1M) or CVLIFE medium profile rings, elevates the optic tube enough for the bolt handle to cycle cleanly past the ocular eyepiece. If you mount an optic with a large objective bell, verify outer bell dimensions against your barrel taper, or inspect setups for proper barrel clearance before locking down your rings.
Is a multi-slot Picatinny rail better than direct ring mounts like Talley or Game Reaper?
A multi-slot rail provides far more flexibility for setting eye relief. Continuous bases like the WOSUWENGE 17-slot rail or the Gotical 6.3-inch 16-slot rail let you slide rings forward or backward across multiple slots until your sight picture is completely natural. Direct mounts like the Talley Ring Scope Mounts or the Game Reaper one-piece mount screw directly into the receiver, offering rigid strength and fewer connection points, but with fixed ring positions.
Can you use 3/8-inch or 11mm dovetail rings instead of screwing a rail into the receiver?
Yes, dovetail rings attach directly to the receiver dovetail, but a screwed-down rail creates a more secure platform. Rings such as the CVLIFE precision 1-inch dovetail mounts fit both 11mm and 3/8-inch dovetail rails and utilize a stop pin to resist shifting. However, bolting an aluminum rail into the factory screw holes provides a wider 20mm interface that eliminates ring creep and holds zero more consistently under field use.
Do you need a 0 MOA scope base for small-game hunting and target shooting?
Yes, a 0 MOA base is the standard choice for general rimfire shooting. Bases like the Gotical CNC machined aluminum rail are designed with 0 MOA elevation for zero to 500 yards, which keeps your reticle centered within its mechanical adjustment range at typical rimfire distances. Unless you are dialing elevation for extreme long-range rimfire matches, a flat 0 MOA mount provides all the elevation travel needed for .22 LR, .22 WMR, and .17 HMR cartridges.
What are the advantages of a two-piece base set over a single-piece Picatinny rail?
A two-piece scope mount base set leaves the central top of the receiver open, which maximizes clearance over the ejection port. CNC machined aluminum two-piece bases save weight and make it easier to reach the chamber when clearing feeding issues or loading individual rounds by hand. A single-piece rail covers that central opening, but it gives you broader ring placement options when mounting compact optics or positioning your scope for better rifle balance.





























