Leveling a scope, does this make sense?

RichardK

RichardK

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I have no specific tools for installing a new scope perfectly level. I have it close by eye but am wondering if I set the rifle down with a torpedo level on the top scope adjustment and point it at a plumb bob at the other end of the basement, when the scope reads level and the line is directly down the centre it should be correct right?
Makes sense in my head but wanted to verify
 
RichardK said:
I have no specific tools for installing a new scope perfectly level. I have it close by eye but am wondering if I set the rifle down with a torpedo level on the top scope adjustment and point it at a plumb bob at the other end of the basement, when the scope reads level and the line is directly down the centre it should be correct right?
Makes sense in my head but wanted to verify
Click to expand...

Yes if it works for you go for it..
But sometimes the reticle is not true to the plane of the adjustment knob caps
And sometimes the bases aren't true to the centre of bore line
All things you should watch for
 
That way wouldn't compensate for if you have the rifle canted. What I would do is put the rifle on sandbags, use the level across the scope rings with the caps removed, then put the scope in the rings and tighten them up while making sure the scope is also level, using either a level on a horizontal surface of the scope or a plumb bob and matching the reticle to the line. First step is to figure out your eye relief and where the scope will sit in the rings.
Kristian
 
you would have to be sure your rifle is level too.

it is not easy, but can be done.

If you have a rail under your scope, you can use a flat piece if metal to make the rail and flat part of the bottom of the scope level.
 
If the level is on the scope, with the bubble centered, the vertical cross hair will be on the plumb line.
But this has nothing to do with the rifle. The scope could be mounted with the rifle rotated.
If the level is on a true horizontal surface on the rifle, and the vertical cross hair is on the line, then the scope should be level on the rifle.
 
Level the rifle first, either using a bubble level over the scope base or better yet, the bottom half of the scope rings. Then level the crosshairs in the scope to a plumb line or some other known vertical line.
 
So if the wind dies down today, in theory I could also shoot high and low, using the centre line of the scope and see how well they line up for level on the target correct?
I tried to get a bipod today to level the rifle easily on a table but forgot about the holiday.

Edit, again I suppose the rifle itself sitting level is a main factor here... looks like I'll keep distances short until Monday
 
RichardK said:
I have no specific tools for installing a new scope perfectly level. I have it close by eye but am wondering if I set the rifle down with a torpedo level on the top scope adjustment and point it at a plumb bob at the other end of the basement, when the scope reads level and the line is directly down the centre it should be correct right?
Makes sense in my head but wanted to verify
Click to expand...

Don't try that without tools. You'll make yourself NUTS. Assuming you have the correct rings and mount,you'll need a small torque screwdriver and small size bullet level capable of being set on top of the mounting rail to level the rifle and on top of the top adjustment cap to level the scope to the rifle. Larry Potterfield has excellent videos on YouTube that'll take you through the process,step by step. It's easier than you think.
 
I've got 2 small levels, I'm going to start by leveling the rail, while leveling the top cap of the scope. Next I'll double check with a plumb bob and flashlight while holding the rail level like the video in the first page.
Does this seem like the way to go in my situation, or am I missing something and dont waste my time?
 
richardk said:
i've got 2 small levels, i'm going to start by leveling the rail, while leveling the top cap of the scope. Next i'll double check with a plumb bob and flashlight while holding the rail level like the video in the first page.
Does this seem like the way to go in my situation, or am i missing something and dont waste my time?
Click to expand...

yes
 
Well I think I've got it thanks to everyone here, appreciate the help as I would have been going insane tomorrow as i keep moving the target further for my 300 yard sight in I'll be working up to
 
People get all worked up abut scope levels and rifle jigs etc. Just how precise are those little bubble levels anyway ?

To my mind you want the scope cross hairs vertical when you shoot it. All people cant their rife to some degree (except maybe bench resters). Just hold it comfortably how you will be shooting it and sight on a vertical line of some sort.

This will give you the theoretically best sight when you are hunting or off hand plinking. Squaring it up exactly to the receiver will not.
 
stampede said:
People get all worked up abut scope levels and rifle jigs etc. Just how precise are those little bubble levels anyway ?

To my mind you want the scope cross hairs vertical when you shoot it. All people cant their rife to some degree (except maybe bench resters). Just hold it comfortably how you will be shooting it and sight on a vertical line of some sort.

This will give you the theoretically best sight when you are hunting or off hand plinking. Squaring it up exactly to the receiver will not.
Click to expand...

This was my understanding, and to a extent is probably true, but I plan on reaching out to 750, even 1000 yards and the video 1ABNDT posted changed my mind.
I will be adding a decent bipod next week and building a bench to shoot from, so the rifle should sit fairly level
 
Finally got the calm weather I wanted for my first sight in. Initially was about 12 inches left, 8 inches low. Once I put bullets through the same hole at 100 yards I moved my target to 200 yards and I'm within an inch of my one inch bullseye.
20 shots and $30 down I'll call it for the day as the cold has started to cramp me up a bit, and dont want to piss off the couple neighbors who may be hearing me shoot the last hour or so.
Happy so far with my mounting and setup
 
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