Put the scope in and check. When the rear ring, without fitting the slider is down on the base, check the scope collimation. When it is right, that is you have adjusted the height by removing the right amount of the flat area that contacts the base, STOP and fit the groove/slider. This also means that if you have to lower the rear ring height, you will probably also have to reshape the bottom of the claw to just clear the bottom of the slot, since you have in effect lowered it, too. After you fit the slider IT IS TOO LATE TO ADJUST HEIGHT ANY MORE, as you would then move/ drop the groove BELOW the slider, loosening it, and you get to start over! After the slider is fitted, you can only polish other surfaces, so if you want the slider groove/slider polished, then let polishing (say with 400 sandpaper on a tiny file) accomplish the last removal of metal in the fitting process. Polishing the rest, blueing, and removal of the ring tops should have no detrimental effect IMHO, but I wouldn't get carried away on the sides of the claws, for sure. If at the end of the day you have to slightly adjust elevation, front or back, then light shimming of the rings, or milling of the rings might accomplish it. Probably your scope adjustment range will do it, but a centered scope is the goal...Steve
