Burris Signature ZEE Rings Review
May 22, 2011

Recently I reviewed the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle and Burris Scout Scope.  Since I was mounting a Burris scope to the rifle, it made sense for me to get a set of Burris rings, and this was the prefect opportunity for me to try out a set of the Burris Signature Rings.  Some of the criteria I was wanting in a set of rings for this rifle and scope were light weight, low profile and quick detach.  Once I started studying the unique features of the Signature Rings (gripping power and self-aligning inserts), I decided to back off on the quick detachable criteria.  The rings I ended up getting were the Burris Signature ZEE Rings Weaver-Style Medium Matte (Item # 420521).  The list price on these rings from Burris is $59, but you can find them online for about $35.

Since Burris did such a great job providing an educational video about the use of these rings, I recommend going to this link and watching the video.  Afterwards, you can come back and see the details of these rings shown below.

When the rings arrived, they were packaged as follows.

Figure 1
Burris Signature ZEE Rings Review

Figure 2
Burris Signature ZEE Rings Review

Inside the package were the rings, "0" inserts, Torx wrench, general Installation Instructions, and specific Installation Instructions for Signature Rings and Pos-Align Offset Inserts.

Figure 3
Burris Signature ZEE Rings Review

One of the first things you may notice about the rings is that there is no loose side retainer.  I believe the cut portion on the side of the ring giving it some spring action for the clamping force is where Burris gets the ZEE designation, because it has a "Z" shape.  The good part about this is that there is nothing to fall off and get lost if your are removing the scope in the field.  The bad part is that the ring must slide down your rail to the correct position and then the screw is installed.  Overall the finish was good on the rings.  There was one area at the top shown in Figure 5 that didn't have the same uniform color, but honestly I didn't notice this until looking at the photos.

Figure 4                                                               Figure 5
Burris Signature ZEE Rings Review   Burris Signature ZEE Rings Review

The ring caps are held in place with a single Torx screw on each side.  They are manufactured from some type of steel alloy.

Figure 6                    Figure 7                      Figure 8                         Figure 9   
Burris Signature ZEE Rings Review   Burris Signature ZEE Rings Review   Burris Signature ZEE Rings Review   Burris Signature ZEE Rings Review

The rings came with 4 identical Pos-Align inserts.  These inserts provided are the "0" inserts that are concentric inserts.  The outside of the insert has a spherical shape while the inside of the insert matches the tube diameter of a scope.  In my case, it is 1" in diameter.  The insert is made from some type of synthetic material.

Figure 10                 Figure 11                 Figure 12
Burris Signature ZEE Rings Review   Burris Signature ZEE Rings Review   Burris Signature ZEE Rings Review

The figure below shows how the insert nests inside the spherical surface inside the steel ring and acts like a spherical bearing.

Figure 13
Burris Signature ZEE Rings Review

The next set of photos show how the inserts will align with the tube body in any position.  From an engineering perspective, this is ideal for maintaining even pressures and maximizing contact surface between the rings/inserts and the scope tube.

Figure 14                                     Figure 15       
Burris Signature ZEE Rings Review   Burris Signature ZEE Rings Review

Figure 16                                                         Figure 17
Burris Signature ZEE Rings Review   Burris Signature ZEE Rings Review

Although I didn't utilize the capability in this review, you can purchase additional inserts to adjust your alignment of the scope with the barrel of your rifle so that your erector is nearly centered prior to you making any windage or elevation adjustments.  If you didn't see the Burris video, I recommend going to this link and watching it because it does a great job of describing this feature.

The rings weighed in at 3.75 ounces.

Figure 18
Burris Signature ZEE Rings Review

The next several photos show the Burris Signature Rings on the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle with a Burris Scout Scope.

Figure 19
Burris Signature ZEE Rings Review

Figure 20
Burris Signature ZEE Rings Review

Figure 21
Burris Signature ZEE Rings Review

 

Bottom Line

I'm impressed with these rings and will definitely consider using them in the future.  I really like the concept of the self-aligning inserts and the ability to swap the inserts with others to shift your point of aim prior to using your elevation and windage adjustments.  If I were to make a recommendation, it would be for Burris to add a quick detachable mount version to the Signature Series rings.


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