How To Mount A Rifle Scope So It Is Properly Aligned?

albayo

albayo

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
603   0   1
Location
Born on PEI, Live in NB
Is there a fool proof method to mounting a scope on a rifle?
When I think I have the scope mounted propertly and I finally finish it is canted a little to the right or left. I have been looking for a way to get the sights just right.
If its been discussed previously I would appreciate a link to it.

Thanks

Al
 
Last edited:
My own method is to use a bore sighter, and then tighten the screws a bit at a time (ie: rear right, front left, rear left, front right) so that tightening the screws doesn't pull the scope one way or the other.
 
Hang a plumb line, put the rifle in a rest, vice or on a bipod and level it. Level the scope based on the plumb line. Once its level, someone may shoulder the gun crooked and tell you it isn't.
 
I do believe that I learned something from Doug (Raynershine Gun Works) one day while chating with him, a while back. He said: I don't give a hoot as to what's level with the world, I want my scope to be level with the way I hold my rifle! Well, this explained the whole story to me, right then and there. My oldest son, when ever he mounts a scope, it's always cocked low to the right (for me and Jr #3). Whenever Jr #3 mounts a scope, it's always looks level to him and me and is NFG for Jr #1. So, not everyone holds a rifle the same. It's nice to mount the scope level with the world, but if it don't work for you, you'll have to adjust to what looks level when you have your rifle shouldered.
 
two-dogs said:
i do believe that i learned something from doug (raynershine gun works) one day while chating with him, a while back. He said: I don't give a hoot as to what's level with the world, i want my scope to be level with the way i hold my rifle! Well, this explained the whole story to me, right then and there. My oldest son, when ever he mounts a scope, it's always cocked low to the right (for me and jr #3). Whenever jr #3 mounts a scope, it's always looks level to him and me and is nfg for jr #1. So, not everyone holds a rifle the same. It's nice to mount the scope level with the world, but if it don't work for you, you'll have to adjust to what looks level when you have your rifle shouldered.
Click to expand...

+100.....for most guys, when you need to range that vertical line should be vertical..

crude thing to use is a feeler gauge, works great
 
Ganderite said:
I think the part that causes the problem is that we set the scope properly, but as we tighten the screws, they pull the scope over a bit.

This may mean some fiddling, to get it right.
Click to expand...

This is certainly true. Weaver rings are the hardest ones to set up. You have to start off slighty cocked, as when the screws are tightened down it pulls the scope down a bit. It's a guessing game with Weaver rings to get the scope straight untill you get lots of experience. I don't use Weaver rings any more due to this fact and besides they ain't very purdy. Sure they're cheap and strong, but they ain't for me.
 
I think the human element of the way you hold it throws the whole anal retentive process of "the perfect level" out the window. The more you use holdover or target knobs for elevation, the more having the crosshairs level to the horizon for the user is important. If you set the scope mechanically level with the machined top surface of the receiver, what good is it if the user finds that crooked to him? Then when he adjust elevation, he gets horizontal drift too.
 
I don't know enough to know how little I know.
I have been using this target to sight in, and leveling the target as described. Does this seem like a good idea?
http://www.gunnersden.com/index.htm.free-rifle-target.html
5-20.gif
 
I don't hold my rifle level though, and I doubt I would/ could relearn to hold my rifles in the "pressure of the moment" perfectly level. So I leveled the target and rotated my scope to line up with the level target, as best I could, using multiple pull ups and sightings. This was a close average of how I hold a specific rifle. I have done this in hopes of lessening scope cant' for my scopes.
Any better suggestions?
 
Easiest way? Simple. Mount the rings and use a level square to check level with bipod extended. Level the rifle on X/Y axis. Now, using your handy Canadian tire laser level (the one that sticks on the drywall, mount the laser level, on the door at the end of the hallway.

Then line up the reticle with the crosshairs.

Done!

Now insert bore sighter, and check POI with POIx and adjust scope accordingly.

You have now sighted in your rifle the length of your hallway.

Next thing is to tighten down the scope evenly, while checking the scope for canting.

If you do this correctly (takes about 1/2 hour) it will pay dividends when hunting varmints.
 
I'm surprised as to how many people level the scope to the shooter not the gun. I guess in a real world situation as long as the bullet hits its target its working fine. But from a ballistic standpoint that makes absolutely no sense at all.
 
janesy said:
I'm surprised as to how many people level the scope to the shooter not the gun. I guess in a real world situation as long as the bullet hits its target its working fine. But from a ballistic standpoint that makes absolutely no sense at all.
Click to expand...

Thank You. I actually use my turrets though, probably lots that don't. I use feeler gauges for the initial mounting, then shoot the gun with the elevation set low and then high to be sure the scope is level with the axis of the bore.
 
For a quick and dirty method I use the level I always have with me. My Iphone. I have a free app that allows me to use the Iphone as a digital level. I place the Iphone on a flat spot on the top of the rifle (picatinny rails are good for this), note the reading in degrees; then I put the phone on the scope elevation turret and turn the scope sideways till I get the same reading. Fast and easy, eh.
 
c3pppo said:
For a quick and dirty method I use the level I always have with me. My Iphone. I have a free app that allows me to use the Iphone as a digital level. I place the Iphone on a flat spot on the top of the rifle (picatinny rails are good for this), note the reading in degrees; then I put the phone on the scope elevation turret and turn the scope sideways till I get the same reading. Fast and easy, eh.
Click to expand...

Thats hilarious, in a pinch my boss just rebuilt a small deck using his Iphone-aomethingorother. It was funny, but fairly accurate.
 
hillmanr2 said:
I don't hold my rifle level though, and I doubt I would/ could relearn to hold my rifles in the "pressure of the moment" perfectly level. So I leveled the target and rotated my scope to line up with the level target, as best I could, using multiple pull ups and sightings. This was a close average of how I hold a specific rifle. I have done this in hopes of lessening scope cant' for my scopes.
Any better suggestions?
Click to expand...

I see I am totaly wrong in my thinking, funny how it made sense to me :eek: :redface:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom