Rifle Scopes Anti cant setup

[gcoulsey]

Hey chaps,

I'm going to order my first ACD this week, I had my mind set on one of the US optics devices, but unfortunately my budget has taken a nose dive.. So to get me started I'm just going to get a budget scope ring with level attached,
my question is,

With an AICS setup, how do you guys establish a 'zero level' starting point, meaning, how do you initially level up your rifle, before fixing an ACD?

When I mounted my scope, I fixed the rifle in a bench vise, and then held a spirit level on the flat metal chassis underside of the rifle, just behind my Harris bipod. This is the only decent flat spot on the rifle I could hold my level against.

Then I placed wedges under the bench legs to level the whole bench/vice/rifle best I could... (farm workshop and tools are all I have to work with on this..)

then I drew a thick pencil line on a big board with the level placed it 30yrds in front of the rifle (max distance I could get from bench location)
and trued up the scope crosshairs with the level pencil line.

It all sounds a bit crude I know, but it's all I could think of with the tools at my disposal..

Is the flat underside of the aics a good enough datum point for establishing the rifle level??
Is there an obvious easier way to do it without spending cash on a fancy adjustable gun vice for this one job?

If the principle I have followed is ok, then I will set it all up again when I fix the ACD scope ring.
I'm also using a 3foot spirit level.. Which is a PITA also.. But I have to work with what I've got at the moment!!

Opinions and ideas much appreciated!!
Thanks,
giles.

 

[Sniper1*]

Re: Anti cant setup

In stead of a board with a line, hang a high vis. String and plumb bob or something that will work. No human error in a plumb bob and string.

What you are doing will work, as you stated crude, but it will work.

Instead of a vise why not use the bipod legs and use a sand bag or something forthe but stock to secure it.

Good luck!

 

[Sniper1*]

Re: Anti cant setup

Or you can use the feeler gauge method everyone else here will recommend!

 

[SurgeonPredator]

Re: Anti cant setup

Do you have playing cards or a feeler gauge to put between the bottom of the scope and the rail? Those were the advice given to me, when I asked about a proper way to level my scope. Had to use a different method in the end, because the feeler gauge did not level the scope perfectly.

Since I got a Surgeon action, I was assured the recoil lug is parallel to the rail, so I removed the stock, leveled a flat-parallel block to rest the recoil lug on and used a spirit level as a reference at about 15 m (the plumber line swayed too much in a slight breeze).

I doubt you want to remove the stock, so I stop with my nonsense and suggest you put the rifle in a vise, remove the scope, level the rifle with your spirit level lengthwise and crossways (not sure if the 3foot are overkill, though) and mount the scope and ACI.

If you are able to put some leather or fabric around the jaws of the vise, you might not have to level the whole bench.

No guarantee, just the thoughts of an unconventional mind, but given the fact you have only limited resources, you might give it a go.

Good luck, mate!

 

[gcoulsey]

Re: Anti cant setup

Ok, bipod idea I can do..
And plumb line also... Originally I was going to use plumb line, but with the bench position in the workshop, I didn't have anything easy enough to hang one off at the time, but I can get all that prepared ready this time!!

I'm sorry this must be a dumb question for you guys, but I have never heard of a Playing card/feeler gage method?

How do you use these in setting up your kit? Do you mean you just use these as wedges under bipod legs or something?
Lol.. I know I'm missing something obvious here.. !!!!

Giles

 

[SurgeonPredator]

Re: Anti cant setup

You put the feeler gauge on the rail and under the scope (the flat bottom of the turrets) and tighten the ring screws, removing cards/blades so you won't bend the scope in the process. This method *should* get you a leveled scope. I had no luck, maybe the CeraKoat on the rail was too thick or not level.

LowLight made a video for this feeler gauge method, but I can't seem to find it with the google-SH-Search tool

EDIT: Found the LINK

 

[gcoulsey]

Re: Anti cant setup

Ha! That sounds (in principle) a great idea!
I would never have figured that out lol!
Thanks

I will see how it works out for me, I will have to use a deck of cards, our feeler gages are unsuitable.

Thanks a bunch guys, exactly the input I was looking for

giles.

 

[jdgray]

Re: Anti cant setup

When you get all leveled up, go and testfire using this info.
http://www.longrangehunting.com/articles/reticle-perpendicularity.php
I dialed 15moa up, fired a round, another 15moa, fire another, I had another 15moa to play with but ran out of target

Good luck!