Over-torqued rings aren’t just bad for the outside of your scope. The performance of both the mechanical components and the optical components inside can be significantly diminished.
Why are over-torqued rings so bad?
Let’s start with what over-torquing can do to your scope tube. Excessive torque can permanently damage the tube, “crimping” the metal and even crushing the tube in extreme cases. The cosmetic damage this causes is only the beginning.
Inside your optic, the mechanical and optical components responsible for providing a sharp image and dialing your point of aim can be restricted. Not only does this limit your dialing range, it can diminish your riflescope’s ability to hold a zero. In short, your optic will not perform consistently.