Setting Up A Scope

[Glenfilthie]

I used to take my guns to have their scopes set up by the boys at P&D. Yeah, I know I could do it myself and save $25.00 but what the heck - those guys true up the rings, square everything up just so, and when they are done that scope is SET and nothing short of dynamite or road rage will get it off again. They put one on my 25-06 a decade ago and I only futzed with it to change POI for different loads. They did my 45-70 too and even that big kicker had the scope riding safe and secure. When they are done you can literally forget about it or having any issues with it.

Here is my beef - my last rifle got the same treatment; the boys set it up right in the show room like they always do, they did it in minutes and all was well - until I tried to fire it from the sitting position. I couldn't get onto the scope because the eye relief was too short. I dunno about slinging up and going prone - the snow drifts are still a little too deep at the range to try it. Offhand or off the bench the scope is fine. I am getting older (and fatter) and I am not quite as flexible as I used to be...could that be it? Nah!

Just curious - would the boys at the gun store be better off setting the scope from the sitting position to get a good 'all round' set up for the scope, rather than from the offand position? Have any of you run into this?

 

[CheeseBurger]

My first scope mounting ever I had a smith do it but he didn't mount it to far back he mounted it to far forwards so I had to crane my neck forward to get a proper sight picture. Being a noob, I believed him. Now I just mount my own.

 

[jjohnwm]

If you want it done right, do it yourself. I would never trust someone else to mount a scope for me. Absolutely nothing difficult about it, and lots of Youtube tutorials around.

I always mount them as far forward as I can while still getting the full field of view, and maybe even a touch further. That way you are good no matter what position you end up shooting from, and you minimize the chances of scope bite. In the case of the gun you just had done, the guys at the shop have already done all the work (I hope!) in attaching the bases, aligning and perhaps lapping the rings, etc. You can just loosen up the screws holding the ring-tops in place and adjust the eye-relief to whatever suits you. Easy, and a nice introduction to Scope Mounting 101.

 

[Glenfilthie]

I passed Scope Mounting 101 but just barely, John. Ya know how it is with most things in life - there are simple, easy peasy steps to get the job done and they require an IQ of 30 to do - and ya can't do 'em for love or money?

When I mount a scope it takes me a ream of profanity and rage to get the damned thing on straight! I fiddle and futz and curse and swear and an hour later - if I'm lucky - the goddamned thing is mounted with no cant on the cross hairs. I am getting too lazy and stupid in my old age I guess....

 

[jjohnwm]

Oh, I hear you...to get it done just so requires a bit of tedious fiddly-farting around, and that's why I feel compelled to do it myself...I just can't believe that the guy in the shop will do it!