Finding the best Ruger AR-556 scope mount can be a challenge, especially if you’re a first-time buyer who might not know the difference between a great scope mount and one that is considered crappy in quality.
This article will serve as your starting point in finding the best scope mount that will fit your rifle. So, we’ve included five of the best AR-556 scope mounts that we consider to be the best on the market.
While this list may be subject to change between now and the next year, this will give you the opportunity to choose one of the hottest scope mounts currently flying off the shelves.
Before we get to our list, we’ll talk about what a scope mount is and how you can choose one for your own AR-556 rifle.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Ruger AR-556 Scope Mounts
- OUR TOP PICK: Monstrum Tactical Cantilever Dual Ring Scope Mount
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Vortex Optics Sport Cantilever Mounts
- NIKON 1in M-223 Scope Mount (834)
Comparison Chart of the Best Ruger AR-556 Scope Mounts
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What is a Scope Mount?
A scope mount is designed to hold together a scope that you have chosen for your AR-556 rifle. This is also known as a scope base. The name alone is self-explanatory for its purpose. You can also mount scope rings to ensure that the scope itself is aligned properly and stays in place each time you fire your rifle.
Types of Scope Mounts
Obviously, not all scope mounts are created equal. So, it’s important to know which one is which while you’re looking through this list. Here are some scope mounts that are currently among the most popular choices among Ruger AR-556 owners:
One Piece
One piece scope mounts have long been a staple for many AR-style rifle owners. That’s because these types of mounts are proven to be tough and rigid like nothing else. Not to mention, they’re pretty simple to install and use. Plus, alignment won’t be much of an issue once you are able to mount a scope on your rifle.
Scope Rings
Scope rings have probably been around since the beginning of time and were often used by the AR-style users of ages past because they are reliable and rugged. Today’s scope rings may not be your father’s (or grandfather’s) from years ago. But they're lighter in weight and are quite cheaper than other types of scope mounts.
Rail Mounts
Picatinny or Weaver? No matter which rail you use, you’re going to need a mount that will accommodate it. Plus, you’ll need a scope that will also be easy to attach to the rail as well. The difference between the rails is spacing. That’s why it’s always wise to take some measurements before you buy a mount for a scope that you already have.
How to Choose a New Scope Mount
Finding a new scope mount will take some time and knowledge of what to look for. In fact, you should always find a scope mount that is much better in comparison to low-quality cheap models. If you’re a first-time buyer, we recommend that you follow this brief guide to help you find the mount that’s right for your AR-556. Here are a few things to consider based on what past buyers have suggested:
Installation
If you’re not an expert gunsmith, there’s a good chance that you’ll need a scope mount that won’t be complex to install. Most of the scope mounts you’ll see on the list you will be able to install in a matter of minutes. This means you won’t need to rely on a professional to install a scope mount on your rifle. This will save you a lot of time and money.
Material
Of course, knowing what kind of materials are used for manufacturing a good scope mount is important. That’s because the materials used will determine the overall quality of the mount as a whole. Most gun manufacturers will elect to use either steel or high-quality aluminum. Both are proven to absorb a great deal of shock and recoil, allowing your scope to hold zero even after you fire more than a hundred shots.
Measurement
Taking measurements of your scope will matter if you’re looking for a good scope mount because some mounts will be suitable for 30mm scopes, while others will be able to handle one-inch tube scopes. Some mounts will even add on a couple of inches since there are a handful of scopes that give you a generous amount of eye relief.
Review of the Best Ruger AR-556 Scope Mounts
Below are five of the best Ruger AR-556 scope mounts currently on the market. You should consider looking through each of these carefully. That way, you’ll know if it’s something that would be worth your investment because of a unique feature that might interest you.
Whether you are on a budget or have money to play around with, there is a scope mount that is bound to be yours. And as always, do your due diligence prior to making your final purchasing decision.
Best Overall:
Monstrum Tactical Cantilever Dual Ring Scope Mount
Pros
Cons
First on the list, we have the Monstrum Tactical Cantilever Dual Ring Scope Mount. This is our top overall choice for a Ruger AR-556 scope mount. To begin, this scope is crafted from lightweight high-quality aluminum. Which means it is a pretty durable scope mount that is designed to handle all kinds of punishment. If you also have Monstrum Tactical optics, you’ll be certain that they will fit perfectly.
This scope mount is also compatible with any Picatinny rail rifles. The forward extension is measured at two inches, designed to give you a lot of flexibility. If you have a scope that has a great deal of eye relief, this scope mount will be long enough to support it.
This scope mount is ideal for scopes that have a tube measured out to about one inch. Perfect if you have a great hunting or tactical scope on hand that is durable from the inside and out.
Bottom Line
In our opinion, the Monstrum Tactical mount scope does hold up quite well compared to a lot of scopes. So we’re glad we gave this the “best overall” honor. This is a sturdy piece of equipment that’s worth mounting on your rifle. Add a high-quality scope and you’ll be good to go.
The important thing to note is that you should consider purchasing a mount first before buying a new scope (assuming you don’t have one yet). If you already have a scope, be sure to measure it to ensure that it will fit this mount without any issues.
Best For The Money:
Vortex Optics Sport Cantilever Mounts
Pros
Cons
Next, we’ll be taking a look at the best Vortex Optics scope, a product that will fit most budgets. If you’re looking for a scope mount without having to break the bank, you should consider the Vortex Optics Sport Cantilever Mounts as your best option.
If you’re familiar with the Vortex Optics brand, you know that this brand means one thing: indestructible. In other words, Vortex scopes are arguably the most durable of them all.
So does that durability reputation carry on with their scope mounts? You might be the judge of that. This mount comes with either a 2-inch or 3-inch offset. So before you buy, figure out which one will best fit your scope. Get an accurate measurement done so you know which one to get without ever having to waste any time or money.
This mount is made from high-quality aircraft aluminum. In other words, you can expect it to be super durable, much like their scopes. Speaking of which, if you have a Vortex scope you won’t have any trouble getting it to fit on this mount.
This scope is also available to accommodate either 30mm objective scopes or one inch long scopes. Either way, you’re getting a reliable scope at a price that fits most budgets.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a great scope mount for your Ruger AR-556 and don’t want to spend a lot of money, the Vortex Optics mount is probably your best option. One major reason is the ability to hold the scope securely in place. In fact, it’s like kind of vice-like.
Plus, it’s quite sturdy and can handle quite a bit of recoil and other kinds of abuse. If you’re looking for a scope mount that will probably be the last one you buy for years or even decades, the Vortex Optics mount might be the one you’re looking for.
3. NIKON 1in M-223 Scope Mount
Pros
Cons
Nikon brand scopes have a very good reputation for having the best optics as far as scopes are concerned. Aside from that, this scope mount will come in handy if you have a Nikon brand scope handy for your AR-556 rifle.
If you have a Picatinny rail, this mount will easily fit without any kind of issue. Constructed from high-quality alloy, this will be a very durable scope mount that will handle all kinds of punishment.
If you’re using your Ruger AR-556 rifle for long-range shooting, this mount will accommodate your scopes and has the perfect adjustments for maximum elevation.
If you’re planning on hitting targets from 500 to 1000+ yards out, you’ll want a scope mount that will be reliable enough to handle the job.
Bottom Line
This scope mount is pretty good. Definitely worth the try if you’re looking for a mount that will fit perfectly with your Nikon scope. Other than that, it’s lightweight and can handle a lot of recoil. Of course, that also means your scope will be able to hold zero after you’ve fired hundreds of shots.
The installation may be a challenge for you or it may not. Either way, this mount is worth the investment if you want something that will hold itself in place (and of course, will do a good job of holding your scope in place as well).
4. Burris P.E.P.R. QD Scope Mount 30mm w/Picatinny Tops
Pros
Cons
Next, we'll be taking a look at the Burris P.E.P.R QD Scope Mount 30mm with Picatinny Tops. If you like the Picatinny rail look, then you're definitely going to love this scope mount. The great thing about this scope mount is that it's battle-tested.
It undergoes a lot of tests before it even leaves the factory. Every scope mount is guaranteed to be rugged and tough. So if durability is something you hold to a high standard, the Burris scope mount might be worth a try.
In fact, Burris is so confident in its ability to stay strong, they put a lifetime warranty in place. So if something happens, you'll always have a replacement waiting for you and ready for action.
This scope mount has a 2-inch forward scope position, which means that it can accommodate scopes that have a great deal of eye relief. As an added benefit, you get a full field of view and the ability to acquire targets much quicker with both eyes.
If you have a scope with that ability, you’ll need a mount that can support it without any issues of loose screws or placement. This mount also includes smooth and Picatinny
If you choose this scope mount, you’re getting something that will be reliable and sturdy for as long as possible. With a lifetime warranty as a cherry on top, you can’t lose with Burris.
If you’re satisfied with what this scope mount has to offer, you might have just found the best AR-556 scope mount for yourself.
Bottom Line
The Burris brand has long been considered a reliable brand in terms of scopes. Plus, they’re more of a high-end brand compared to the others. And the products themselves are excellent in quality. So strong, that a lifetime warranty is definitely what we’d expect from a company like Burris.
Other than that, it does a great job keeping your scopes held together and prevents them from losing their zero after many rounds fired. If you’re looking for a mount that will be good to your scope, the Burris might be the best possible option for a Ruger AR-556 owner like yourself.
5. Aero Precision Ultralight 1" SPR Anodized Black Scope Mount
Pros
Cons
Last but not least, we’ll be taking a look at the Aero Precision Ultralight 1 inch SPR Anodized Black Scope Mount. At a glance, this scope mount is quite rugged. So it should come as no surprise that it is made from high quality 6061 aluminum. In other words, you’re looking at a very durable piece of equipment that will have the ability to hold many one-inch scopes.
On top of that, it’s pretty lightweight too; you don’t have to worry about this adding any necessary weight to your Ruger AR-556 rifle. One of the things that stood out as innovative was the cross-slotted keyway design.
This is made to ensure that recoil is reduced to a lower level. Reduced recoil will even give your overall accuracy a little boost. And with your favorite scope added into the mix, that’s even better.
If you have an AR-type upper receiver on your AR-556 rifle or any other rifle within the group, you’re probably going to want to choose this mount because it is guaranteed to fit most AR-rifles. Once added on, just tack on your scope of choice and away you go.
Bottom Line
In our point of view, the Aero Precision scope mount is more than just your average scope mount. The design itself is what impressed us. Especially when it plays a role in reducing some of the recoil of a Ruger AR-556 rifle.
Couple this with your best scope and you have a sharpshooting force to be reckoned with. If you want a scope mount that will allow you to add on a scope that will make your AR-556 rifle the envy of the range, you’re probably going to want a mount like the Aero Precision.
Conclusion
Finding the best Ruger AR-556 scope mount is an easy task as long as you know what to look for. A great scope mount is one way to ensure that your scope of choice will hold its own after you’ve fired many rounds. Make sure it’s easy to install, very secure, and can withstand all kinds of recoil, shock, and abuse. You’ll be surprised by the benefits and advantages of simply upgrading to a great AR-556 scope mount.
