The slop is there so that you can put the rings in.
You push the rings as far forward in their slot as you can. The rifle recoils backward upon firing, independant of the scope. Objects at rest tend to stay at rest, so your rings and scope want to stay where they are as the rifle goes backwards. You want them to never move relative to the rifle. So you want the rings forward so that they cannot shift forward during this action.
It likely also minimizes violent whip and jarring.
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