Got them. That is ridiculous. Put a bad taste in my mouth for my brand new rifle
Why? They are just a filler. In actuality rubber may be a better idea than metal anyway. I have encountered filler screws that have been stuck so badly due to dried oil, etc. that they were near impossible to remove because of the tiny shallow slot on them which gives way easily.
If you use the factory rings they do not need to be removed and if you use after market rings the filler screws are usually set in a junk drawer never to be seen or used again - so why not rubber.
drover