Scope leveling

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calvados.boulard

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Hi everyone,

This may be a dumb question, but I'm a bit stumped as to how it is supposed to be done. What I'm referring to is how to get the cross-hairs level in my scope? I mounted the scope onto the rifle, and adjusted it for eye relief. I then went and adjusted the scope so the horizontal line in the reticle seems level while holding the rifle freehand. When I shoot off the bench, it seems to be canted to the right. When I shoot off hand it seems canted to the left. I don't have this problem on my other rifle which I did the same was as the rifle in question. Perhaps that was just luck.

Any tips/tricks to getting this done right once and for all?

Thanks,
Cal.
 
Wheeler engineering's level-level-level.

cabelas

cabelas.ca/index.cfm?pageID=71&section=1286&section2=1460&ID=9738
 
doesnt mater.

the retical level to the world is what matters, eye it up and you should be close enough (unless you WAYYYY off)


but if your that concerned about it, shoot me a PM and we can set somthing up and ill give you a hand
 
If you can find a flat spot on the receiver, you can use a common level on it. Aim the rifle at a weighted string and align the crosshair to the vertical.
 
I've just eyeballed them square to the either the mount or the receiver. Hold the rifle at arms length while doing this. The human eye is fairly accurate.
 
i always just eyeball my level off of my bipod and go from there. i understand what your saying tho, when i used to level my crosshairs offhand it would be tilted when i was on a rest or bipod.

this is an interesting idea that i saw on snipershade.com using feeler gauges, your scope rail and the flat spot on the bottom of your scope. never tried it but i would assume it would great.
imagesCA3GFXJ4.jpg

imagesCA504ZJP.jpg
 
factionrr said:
i always just eyeball my level off of my bipod and go from there. i understand what your saying tho, when i used to level my crosshairs offhand it would be tilted when i was on a rest or bipod.

this is an interesting idea that i saw on snipershade.com using feeler gauges, your scope rail and the flat spot on the bottom of your scope. never tried it but i would assume it would great.
imagesCA3GFXJ4.jpg

imagesCA504ZJP.jpg
Click to expand...

That's such a simple and cool idea. I'm gonna have to give it a try.
 
I put my rifle loosely in a vise padded with towels and use a small level on the buttpad screws. Once the screws are perfectly vertical i crosscheck it by putting the small level on top of the rear sight if there is one, and then clamp it in tight so it wont move.

Next i hang a plumb bob (bright orange weedeater line and a lead weight) about 25' infront of the gun and set the scope to it's lowest setting, line up the vertical crosshair with the string, tighten and done.
 
calvados.boulard said:
Hi everyone,

This may be a dumb question, but I'm a bit stumped as to how it is supposed to be done. What I'm referring to is how to get the cross-hairs level in my scope? I mounted the scope onto the rifle, and adjusted it for eye relief. I then went and adjusted the scope so the horizontal line in the reticle seems level while holding the rifle freehand. When I shoot off the bench, it seems to be canted to the right. When I shoot off hand it seems canted to the left. I don't have this problem on my other rifle which I did the same was as the rifle in question. Perhaps that was just luck.

Any tips/tricks to getting this done right once and for all?

Thanks,
Cal.
Click to expand...

Well a gunsmith mentioned the "proper" way to mount a scope requires a solid gun rest and a level. Place the rifle in the rest. Find a flat spot on the receiver to place the level. If one is not available, you can use just the bottom half of the scope rings. Once it is level, lock down the rifle so it won't move and verify it is still level. Place the scope on the bottom rings paying attention to the eye relief. Note you should have already marked the scope for eye relief before mounting the rifle on the rest. Use the level on a flat part of the scope, such as the adjustment knobs or knob cover, to level the scope. Tighten down the top rings and re-verify scope level. Then you can verify with the vertical string method, or a checkered target that is set up using the level.

The final test will be "tracking" during target practice. That is after bore sighting and zeroing, fire a 3 shot group at a clean target off a bench at a 100m. Then adjust the scope a set number of clicks in one direction only, then fire another round. Continue to "walk" the adjustments in a square pattern until you come back to the original location. Example: 3 shot group, 10 clicks left, shoot, 10 clicks up, shoot, 10 clicks right, shoot, 10 clicks down, shoot. The shots should tell if you have everything squared as well as how well your scope tracks.
 
pubb said:
Wheeler engineering's level-level-level.

cabelas

cabelas.ca/index.cfm?pageID=71&section=1286&section2=1460&ID=9738
Click to expand...

I also went the Wheeler Level-Level-Level route and I'm very satisfied, I also picked up the Tipton Gun Butler to rest the rifle in. I can now leave my scope alone as I'm 100% certain it's level.
 
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