Re: Scope levels. Any suggestions?
Every scope manufacturer out there considers 2 to 3 degrees of cant <span style="font-style: italic">"within spec"</span> inside the scope. So already there is a good chance your reticle inside the scope is off level by at least that 2 degrees, and most people don't even notice it.
it's only if you compound that spec will people see a real problem "IRL". Then you can start to see 6 degrees or more, which will cause the issue.
I have seen plenty of people shoot with a bubble level mounted on their rifle and the level is off to one side and still they have no problem hitting the target. In fact I usually record it.
Every one is different, which is why the claims to scientific proof don't hold up. Otherwise the results would be the same for everyone, and clearly they are not. How the person addresses the rifle is more important. How we zero the rifle in our shoulder pocket, manage the recoil, align our scopes, all this plays into the end results. To say, " if you (meaning everyone) do this, the results downrange will be 16.4" at 1000 yards" is very misleading. Because some people pull the rifle right while others push the rifle left, causing a variation in that end result.
The <span style="font-weight: bold">Human Element trumps science described in a vacuum</span> or under picture perfect conditions, we override those factors that lead to the results determined by computer modeling, or fixture shooting. The computer simulation does not take into account the shooter, ever ... so to say "X" will happen is a lie.
It's <span style="font-style: italic">not so much a gimmick</span> as a much as it is <span style="font-weight: bold">a misunderstood and misused training tool.</span> When people address the rifle, get sighted on the target and look at the level after all this, and then see the bubble is off, that is describing a problem with their position in relationship to the set up of the rifle. That does not mean move your body to the level, but rather move your level to your body.
<span style="font-style: italic">We are creatures of habit</span> we will do the same thing over and over to a finite degree, if we address the system to that, we will be more consistent. That is what the level is telling you, <span style="font-weight: bold">move the system, not move your body.</span>