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Rifle Scopes Leveling New Scope

B

Beltzington

Private
Minuteman
Sep 28, 2012
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0
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Searched this forum and got hundreds of hits of keywords not in the subject line. Is it just me?

Setting up a new Mark 4 with Warne 20MOA base and QD rings on a Rem 700. Leveled the rifle/base, mounted and leveled the scope and ended up with verticle reticule appearing 10+ degrees off square. I have mounted several scopes and have never been able to get this right. Suggestions? TIA
 
Re: Leveling New Scope

Feeler gauge method works very well. Should be able to find instructions. Deck of cards will do if you do not have feeler gauges. Depending on your stock the rifle may feel level when it really is tilted.

OFG
 
Re: Leveling New Scope

I typically start by placing a torpedo level across the picatinny rail, making sure it is level and then use a plumb bob hanging from the ceiling to level the cross hairs. This has always worked for me.
 
Re: Leveling New Scope

So you leveled your rifle first right? then you leveled the base making sure both rifle and base were level right? then you mounted your rings and made sure your rings, rifle and base were all level? then you put on the scope, secured your scope and then make sure that 1)rifle 2)base 3)rings 4)scope are all level? If you're using one level for all of this I suggest using several small levels because while you might not think it happened, you could have bumped the table, the rifle could have slid, the scope could have turned, you could have torqued down one side of the rings more than the other etc... I'm just anal as hell so I have a level on everything and I probably do more than others. Is your surface level BTW? Tie a string to the wall with a weight on the end and use that to help center the reticle.
 
Re: Leveling New Scope

Mile High Shooting mounted my S&B for me last month, and they had a pretty cool little tool for getting the reticle perfectly straight in the rings.

I want to say the tool was made by Badger Ordnance, but I couldn't seem to find it online. If I were planning to mount more than a couple of scopes I'd probably drop the money on that tool. Seems like quite a time saver over the other methods of leveling rifles I've tried to use.
 
Re: Leveling New Scope

Thanks for your responses.
I was using a Wheeler scope level atop the mounted base as the level starting point. I verified this against a carpenter’s level and both where very close to my old eyes. Previous attempts were on hunting rifles which ended with me adjusting vertical by eyeballing. Since this is my first setup where I intend to reach out and touch long range targets I want to control as many variables as possible with a good scope mount. The stock being out of square did not occur to me but as this is a modern factory rifle a possibility. I’ll try using a known external reference such as a string & plumb bob or a level line on the wall and see how that looks. Feeler-gauge approach? I’ll need to research that one. Best Regards!
 
Re: Leveling New Scope

I don't level the rifle, because the bore to scope relationship is what matters and the bore is round. The holes are tapped already so it will be what it is. YMMV. I just level the base in my cleaning station, strap it down with a ratchet strap while maintaining the level, and reference the vertical crosshair with a plumb bob.
 
Re: Leveling New Scope

Oh and use the search engine in TOP PREDATORS signature. I do, the one on here, methinks, is actually part of a psychological probe of the shooting community. They're seeing how long it takes us to recognize futility.
 
Re: Leveling New Scope

TOP PREDATOR's "EVERYTHING you should know and not ask" link is simply amazing.
 
Re: Leveling New Scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Coloradocop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Mile High Shooting mounted my S&B for me last month, and they had a pretty cool little tool for getting the reticle perfectly straight in the rings.

I want to say the tool was made by Badger Ordnance, but I couldn't seem to find it online. If I were planning to mount more than a couple of scopes I'd probably drop the money on that tool. Seems like quite a time saver over the other methods of leveling rifles I've tried to use. </div></div>

It was a Badger Ordnance Dead Level scope leveling tool. It's a pretty slick tool! Adam at Mile High used one to mount my scope/base I purchased there and it made it an easy task. If you plan to mount more than a few scopes in the next few years or just want a easy way to get the perfect mount it would be worth having. Retails for $145 on Mile High's site and says they are in stock.
 
Re: Leveling New Scope

This is what I've previously posted on this subject and is in line with what other folks have mentioned for you to try.

=======================================================================================================

What we have found works well with our weapons and we recommend to our clients as a good technique:

1. Mount the rings and scope in a Badger Ordnance Dead Level and zero the platform.

2. Check the elevation line in scope against a weighted plumb line and rotate scope body as required.

3. During the ring torque sequence, make sure there is no change to the base level or plumb line/elevation line relationship.

4. Run elevation turret up and down to check deviation from plumb line.

5. Verify proper operation and tracking at range with a calibrated target.

There are many other ways to do it, some at low accuracy levels and others at high levels. It depends on what you're willing to pay for accuracy in terms of time and money. The accuracy requirements for hitting a whitetail in the vital zone at 150 yards is vastly different that than required to engage an enemy combatant in his vital zone at 1500 yards.

Disclaimer: The procedures and techniques discussed above are an example of one way we do things described at a very basic level. We have other much more in-depth processes we employ as needed. This is "a way" not "the way". If you have a method that you're comfortable and works for you, stay with it.
 
Re: Leveling New Scope

I've always gone the cheap route with a Wheeler Engineering Level Level Level. Has done me right.
 
Re: Leveling New Scope

Feeler gauges, check the reticle against a plumb line.

DO NOT level the reticle by rotating the scope body.
 
Re: Leveling New Scope

I would use a plumb line. Telephone poles, walls, door jambs may not be plumb.
Just because it's sticking up and down, doesn't mean it's true vert.

Check your work to see how closely you have gotten after it's all tightened down, and like reloading, consistency is important. Know your torque specs. for the fasteners.

Take your time, concentrate on your work, good luck.
 
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