Hi guys, I am wanting to mount an Athlon Optics Helos BTR GEN2 4-20x50 on my Tikka T3X Lite. I want it to be mounted as low as I can. How does one determine minimum height needed for mounting a scope. How does determine the ideal height for a scope mount? Also, Are the Athlon Rings preferred? Or could these be an acceptable option? Tikka T3 Scope Mounts T3X - Lightweight Alloy Scope Mounts : Talley Manufacturing
Thank you for all of your help guys.
Talley makes good stuff. Have several of their products on my rifles.
Best and easiest thing to do is to email them with your specifics and they will tell you which rings are the appropriate height.
I typically use the penny stack method. Here is a link to video which might be of help:
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Awesome. Thank you so much 
Chat GPT may be really helpful here.
1. Identify Key Measurements
You need two primary numbers:
A. Scope Objective Radius
- Your scope has a 50mm objective lens.
- This means the objective bell will be larger due to the housing — typically ~56–60mm outer diameter.
- Assume outer diameter ≈ 56mm → radius = 28mm = ~1.10 inches
B. Clearance Requirement
- You’ll need at least 2–3 mm (~0.08–0.12 inches) of clearance between the bell and barrel for safe mounting and lens cap use.
2. Determine Ring Height Needed
You want the bottom of the scope tube to sit high enough so the edge of the objective bell clears the barrel.
Use the formula:
Minimum ring height (inches)=Objective bell radius+clearance−receiver-to-ring base height\text{Minimum ring height (inches)} = \text{Objective bell radius} + \text{clearance} - \text{receiver-to-ring base height}Minimum ring height (inches)=Objective bell radius+clearance−receiver-to-ring base height
On the Tikka T3X Lite:
- The action is fairly slim, and if using direct-to-receiver rings (e.g. Optilock or Tikka mounts), there’s minimal extra height.
- Let’s say receiver height adds ~0.1 inches from barrel centerline to ring base.
1.10"(objectiveradius)+0.12"(clearance)−0.10"(receiveroffset)= 1.12 inches minimum ring height1.10" (objective radius) + 0.12" (clearance) - 0.10" (receiver offset) = \textbf{~1.12 inches minimum ring height}1.10"(objectiveradius)+0.12"(clearance)−0.10"(receiveroffset)= 1.12 inches minimum ring height
So you’d want scope rings with a height of at least 1.12 inches from base to scope centerline, which is equivalent to ~0.62" from base to bottom of the 30mm tube (since tube radius is 15mm ≈ 0.59").
Recommended Ring Heights
Look for rings (30mm) with a base-to-scope-bottom height of:
- 0.62" or higher for minimum safe fit.
Here’s how common ring sizes compare:
| Ring Height (base to scope bottom) | Fits? |
|---|---|
| 0.83" (low) | Yes, safe clearance |
| 0.75" (low-med) | Probably safe |
| 0.65" (ultra-low) |  Very tight — test fit carefully |
Tips
- Double-check the outside diameter of your specific scope’s objective bell — some 50mm lenses have 56mm bells, some 60mm.
- Consider lens caps or sunshade clearance.
- Use mockups or clay to test before final mounting.
- Talley and Seekins make excellent lightweight low-profile rings for Tikka T3X.
Let me know if you want specific ring recommendations based on your rail/mount system (e.g., dovetail, Picatinny, etc.).
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Does your T3X have a pic rail? Or would you be mounting the rings directly to the receiver?
Now that is a great point!
On my most recent scope mounting, the Bell cleared the barrel perfectly, but it did not clear the front edge of the picatinny rail unless I push the scope way far forward. It works, but now I’ve got a messed up eye relief. I’ve got a set of taller Rings inbound right now. I’m willing to sacrifice some height in order to bring the scope back to a more comfortable position in terms of eye relief.
While mounting as low as you can go does have some benefits, I think sometimes they’re a bit overblown. Once you start adding things like lens caps, bubble levels, electronic levels, larger bolt handles, Etc, you have to go higher
I was planning on mounting it directly to the receiver. I am trying to cut weight wherever I can 
They told me to use medium height? It seems too high though? What do you guys think?
Depends on how long your neck is.
As with anything AI you want to comb through it and double check the results but here is what it gave me knowing that you wanted to mount directly to the receiver. This may help or not, or even be wrong but look into these options it’s giving:
Top Ring Options for Your Setup
Here are some Tikka-specific direct-mount rings that work well:
| Brand & Model | Height (Base to Tube Bottom) | Tube Size | Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Talley Lightweight Low (Tikka) | 0.300" | 30mm | Yes |
| Leupold BackCountry Low (Tikka) | 0.300" | 30mm | Yes |
| Warne Fixed Low (Tikka) | 0.375" | 30mm | Extra clearance |
| Optilock Low Rings (Tikka) | 30.5mm center height | 30mm | (≈0.39" base-to-tube) |
Final Recommendation
Use low-height Tikka dovetail rings (0.30"–0.40" base height) for your Athlon 4-20x50. Talley or Leupold BackCountry “Low” models will mount it as low as safely possible, with enough clearance for the 56mm bell and scope caps.
Let me know if you want help picking a specific product or retailer.
Medium height usually handles anything up to 50mm. Used to be tight on a 50mm or it wouldn’t fit due to the parallax adjustment being part of the front objective lense area…adding more size to that area. Newer designs with a smooth objective seem to be ok with medium height rings and using the dovetail ring setup versus a picatinny rail. I have a 50mm mounted directly to one of my rifles using standard tradition leupold rings.
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On the TX3 Lite, you have a small rail to clamp scope ring I think.
I would go with: https://mdttac.com/us/premier-scope-rings