Not hard to do. I don't lap the rings. But I do buy quality mounts or rings. I use the Wheeler Fat Torque wrench ($45) and the Wheelers scope mounting kit ($49) with levels. The mounting kit really makes the job a lot easier too. You also need something to hold the rifle or AR while you work on it. I use a Tifton Gun Vise ($45).

Was gonna mount it tonight though I'm wondering about the rings included. They are Nikko Stirling and I've never heard of them. I'm sure they are budget rings as the whole package was a budget package. Is this brand crap? Should I get different rings? They also mount as two halves going up and down with a vertical split instead of rings that are split horizontally. Is one better than the other? Seems like if they were horizontal it would be more easy to rest the scope on the bottom half of the rings.

Also there is no reccomendation for how tight on either rings or scope instructions so I assume 15-17 inch pounds should do?

Vortex scopes are usually 18. Keep the knobs in the center between the rings in case you need to go higher than 18. You'll probably be ok and not damage the scope. You may want to check with Vortex regarding the correct inch pounds for your scope. I have a Razor and Viper and both are 18 inch pounds. For a bolt rifle, Vortex's Precision Rings are excellent. They are matched and don't require lapping the scope tube. I have a set on my Savage 10T with my Razor HD. For my ARs, I prefer LaRue's LT104 or something similar. At $210, not cheap. But one of the best mounts money can buy. And when you have a scopes that you like to more around from AR to AR, LaRue's QD are the best you can buy IMO.

I'll call Vortex though 18 sounds good. How about the Nikko Stirling rings? They any good? I'm reluctant to get the best ones money can buy because the rifle itself was a sub $400 combo with scope and rings included. Some of those mounting options are more than the base gun.

You might have a look at the offerings from DMZ. The one piece mount solves a lot of issues with alignment and fit of the scope and makes it easy to mount. About $65 for the base models if there's one to fit your particular rifle.