Rifle Scopes Leveling a Scope.....WTF?!!!!!!!

Re: Leveling a Scope.....WTF?!!!!!!!

Good point leveling the scope not the gun. Probably also an argument to use a bubble level on the scope itself not the base.

Re: Leveling a Scope.....WTF?!!!!!!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ch'e</div><div class="ubbcode-body">anyone used one of these tools,looks like a good idea --give feed back if you have one.

http://www.projectsavage.com/?q=content/exd-engineering-vertical-reticle-instrument

http://www.neconos.com/details4.htm </div></div>Has anybody usEd one of these?

Re: Leveling a Scope.....WTF?!!!!!!!

The thing that most forget is for all the lining up to be right you have to do it with your head and eye in the normal shooting position. Because any rotation or tiping up or down of the eye to sight the gun properly after the alignment is done when assuming the normal shooting position can change the perception of the position of the reticule compared to the adjusted position . Some peoples eyes will be worse affected than others.
Have you ever looked through another shooters scope and thought oh my god his reticule is all out of verticle but he thinks it's just fine.

Re: Leveling a Scope.....WTF?!!!!!!!

Country,

I have to disagree with your premise.
The vertical stadia either is, or is not in axial alignment with the bore of the barrell.

The "perception" of alignment has nothing to do with the actual alignment of the two virtual planes.

Re: Leveling a Scope.....WTF?!!!!!!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Wannashootit</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Tough to level off the caps of some scopes.

I always try to verify by sighting a tall, plumb vertical object-like perhaps a corner of a building or wall- leveling the rifle and checking for alignment of the vertical crosshair to the object. </div></div>

That's why I suggest removing the cap and leveling off the actual erector assembly beneath the cap. Don't assume the cap is square, or level. The erector assembly should be, for it to track properly anyway.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chupacabra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Good point leveling the scope not the gun. Probably also an argument to use a bubble level on the scope itself not the base. </div></div>

I'm of the same opinion and have advocated using scope mounted levels in a number of posts for this reason. If you use a level to check for cant, mount it on the scope with a ring mount. That way, even if you do cant the rifle slightly for comfort as Lowlight is describing, you can still calibrate the level to show level relative to gravity, and not relative to the rifle's angle in the shoulder pocket.

Rich

Re: Leveling a Scope.....WTF?!!!!!!!

tag

Re: Leveling a Scope.....WTF?!!!!!!!

The best way I've found to level a scope is to buy a US Optics anti-cant device, install on picatinny rail and level the gun, then level the scope with a small 1 inch wide level you can buy at Lowes. The USO anti-cant device will always come in handy for long range shots as well as leveling scopes on any rifle with a picatinny rail since they are easily removable.

Re: Leveling a Scope.....WTF?!!!!!!!

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 a Scope.....WTF?!!!!!!!

The art of the precision rifle - Magpul Dynamics -
Covers this issue on disc 2

Re: Leveling a Scope.....WTF?!!!!!!!

I just leveled my scope today using a dial caliper. measuered both sides of the flat bottom of scope to top of rail and adjusted until even. It looks straight but I have yet to shoot it.

Re: Leveling a Scope.....WTF?!!!!!!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sandbogg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Try the plumb bob method. I have been using it for years and it works great on my rifles.

BTW I really like your level! </div></div>

+1 Please tell me where can I get one like that? Is is Very expensive?