I have a grumpy old gunsmith, my friend, who installed new scope on same rifle, and removed this one with rings attached.
He said: "Keep it as it is, maybe you will need it as a back up or spare for that rifle! Hear me what I say. Keep it on stand by just in case"
Now I am afraid, to go there and ask him to remove the rings! He will yell at me for not following advice, and kick me out of his workshop, on short temper!
So, I have to do this behind his back!
It is special relationship!
Next gunsmith is 200 miles away... Too much!
So, Yes, I thought about it!