So after many decades of shooting without a level on my rifles I decided to install one. I just joined a Club that has a range that goes out to 1000 yards. YouTube says I need a level so I got one. I put my rifle in a cleaning cradle and leveled the action. Then I put a plum line on the wall used the flashlight method to align the scope reticle. i then installed the bubble level on the scope. So I head outside to try it out I get setup prone with the bipod and rear bag everything looks good. I then look up and see the bubble on the level is askew so i get it in the middle and take a look through the scope . Now my reticle is tilted to the right just a bit say about one o'clock so I'm canting the rifle? So do I just run it like that or is there something I can do make the reticle look straight to me? I should mention that I bought two levels and installed both and the second rifle came out the same.
How To Install and Use Scope Levels?
- Thread starter matdan2
- Start date
Same experience here (although I don't have a 1000 yard range, that would be nice!)
It remains a mystery why I keep having to make adjustments.
One challenge is the first step which is leveling the action. I am not really sure if its truly level. But all the successive levels are based off of that first step, so its disconcerting.
I use the Wheeler "Professional Reticle Leveling System". It seems straight forward and almost foolproof, but something happens later somehow when at the range to cause the scope level and reticle plumb to not match up. I wonder if the scope level gets bumped during transport in the gun case.
It remains a mystery why I keep having to make adjustments.
One challenge is the first step which is leveling the action. I am not really sure if its truly level. But all the successive levels are based off of that first step, so its disconcerting.
I use the Wheeler "Professional Reticle Leveling System". It seems straight forward and almost foolproof, but something happens later somehow when at the range to cause the scope level and reticle plumb to not match up. I wonder if the scope level gets bumped during transport in the gun case.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
No experience with the Wheeler set up, but I have the Weaver equivalent - I do not use it. These are small levels in plastic bodies. Reverse them (end for end) and no longer read the same. Two of them sitting on same surface side by side do not read the same. So do not "pass" simple basic tests for whether a level is accurate or not.
Very much "old school" when puttering in my shop. Action removed from stock. Most of my rifle actions are "flat bottom" - or could use top surfaces of scope bases, or other appropriate references - so is levelled by holding barrel in soft jaws in vise - an accurate level usually clamped underneath to get action "level" left to right. Then a plumb bob on a string at other end of shop - lucky enough to have about 25 feet. Vice is on welding table and on casters - wiggle back and forth until bore is aligned with plumb bob string. Install scope. Make vertical crosshair in scope parallel to plumb bob string. No doubt, to me, that the rifle is level - side to side, the scope reticle is plumb - therefore "level" to the action, and the reticle is centered over the bore line if the vertical cross hair is on that plumb bob string.
Firing check is done with "tall target". A true vertical line drawn on tall paper target - small cross mark near bottom as aiming point. Shoot at 100 yards - aim at that cross mark for all shots. Keep increasing height setting on the vertical turret - say 10 or 15 clicks at a time - should get a row of holes walking up that target very, very close to that vertical line if the scope reticle is square to the rifle and directly over the bore. The row of holes will "walk away" from that line if the scope is canted. Should be able to install a "bubble level" to match the cross hair - "level" is level - if the level used is an accurate thing.
Very much "old school" when puttering in my shop. Action removed from stock. Most of my rifle actions are "flat bottom" - or could use top surfaces of scope bases, or other appropriate references - so is levelled by holding barrel in soft jaws in vise - an accurate level usually clamped underneath to get action "level" left to right. Then a plumb bob on a string at other end of shop - lucky enough to have about 25 feet. Vice is on welding table and on casters - wiggle back and forth until bore is aligned with plumb bob string. Install scope. Make vertical crosshair in scope parallel to plumb bob string. No doubt, to me, that the rifle is level - side to side, the scope reticle is plumb - therefore "level" to the action, and the reticle is centered over the bore line if the vertical cross hair is on that plumb bob string.
Firing check is done with "tall target". A true vertical line drawn on tall paper target - small cross mark near bottom as aiming point. Shoot at 100 yards - aim at that cross mark for all shots. Keep increasing height setting on the vertical turret - say 10 or 15 clicks at a time - should get a row of holes walking up that target very, very close to that vertical line if the scope reticle is square to the rifle and directly over the bore. The row of holes will "walk away" from that line if the scope is canted. Should be able to install a "bubble level" to match the cross hair - "level" is level - if the level used is an accurate thing.
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Levels are not needed to setup a bubble level on a rifle.
I subscribe to the canted rifle ....level scope theory.
Everyones body and shoulder is different and how you shoulder your rifle might make the action slightly canted....which is normal as long as its repeatable.
Set your rifle up on bench.
Hang a plumb line down range or draw a vertical line that you can see at 50 yards.
Leave the bubble level slight loose....as well as scope rings.
Shoulder the rifle where its comfortable and repeatable.
Checking several times.
Align your crosshairs with the vertical line of plumb bob.
Tighten down your scope....then hold it lined up with plumb bob....and level bubble to match and tighten down.
Check a few times.
I subscribe to the canted rifle ....level scope theory.
Everyones body and shoulder is different and how you shoulder your rifle might make the action slightly canted....which is normal as long as its repeatable.
Set your rifle up on bench.
Hang a plumb line down range or draw a vertical line that you can see at 50 yards.
Leave the bubble level slight loose....as well as scope rings.
Shoulder the rifle where its comfortable and repeatable.
Checking several times.
Align your crosshairs with the vertical line of plumb bob.
Tighten down your scope....then hold it lined up with plumb bob....and level bubble to match and tighten down.
Check a few times.
- Location
- Okanagan Valley B.C.
scope
Installing a Scope , there are as many ''right ways'' as there are Shooters.
Just installed a Scope on my 1717 ,this is mine.
A magnetic level for the action , Sight the Reticle on
the shop door frame . (it is vertical) , install Scope Level.
Works for Me.. skwerl
Installing a Scope , there are as many ''right ways'' as there are Shooters.
Just installed a Scope on my 1717 ,this is mine.
A magnetic level for the action , Sight the Reticle on
the shop door frame . (it is vertical) , install Scope Level.
Works for Me.. skwerl
Attachments
You can level the action....as long as you shoulder the rifle level.
When long range shooting you will find that your "fighting" the bubble some times....and the last thing you want to donis keep checking your level.... especially if a follow up shot is needed.
The other option would be an adjustable swivel buttpad that allows you to shoulder where comfort and still have action levelled.
IF you watch the top video they pretty much prove the canted rifle does not degrade accuracy.
Repeatability is more important.
When long range shooting you will find that your "fighting" the bubble some times....and the last thing you want to donis keep checking your level.... especially if a follow up shot is needed.
The other option would be an adjustable swivel buttpad that allows you to shoulder where comfort and still have action levelled.
IF you watch the top video they pretty much prove the canted rifle does not degrade accuracy.
Repeatability is more important.
