Mounting Scope question

[bwalker36]

Hi All,

My Tract Toric arrives today to put on my new AR10 .308 build. I have what is probably a very stupid question but I'll ask anyway. I have a larue QD mount and my assumption is that my flat top is level and the mount is level. Could I mount the scope and level it on just the mount, then attach it to the rifle? My guess is it might work out but I'm better off just doing it right, to ensure its level on the gun.

 

[earplug]

I'd trust Larue's machining. Would be easy to do your idea using feeler gauges between the scope and mount.

 

[Chuck R.]

In theory, your method should work....but you could run into some slight staking of tolerances between the mount and the upper. Most likely insignificant, but you're not really saving too much by doing it "your way".

My method for everything is to use a level and a plum bob.

I use a Wheeler scope leveling system:

https://www.wheelertools.com/scope-...fessional-reticle-leveling-system/119050.html

Put the small level on the flat top receiver and synch the level that clamps to the barrel with it. While keeping the rifle level, I level the vertical crosshair using a plumb bob. I've tried using the small level on the scope caps as per the instructions, but have found that often the caps and dials aren't truly squared with the crosshairs.

 

[Walkalong]

Clamp the rifle dead level in a barrel vice in a vice, and use a plumb bob.

 

[bwalker36]

In theory, your method should work....but you could run into some slight staking of tolerances between the mount and the upper. Most likely insignificant, but you're not really saving too much by doing it "your way".

My method for everything is to use a level and a plum bob.

I use a Wheeler scope leveling system:

https://www.wheelertools.com/scope-...fessional-reticle-leveling-system/119050.html

Put the small level on the flat top receiver and synch the level that clamps to the barrel with it. While keeping the rifle level, I level the vertical crosshair using a plumb bob. I've tried using the small level on the scope caps as per the instructions, but have found that often the caps and dials aren't truly squared with the crosshairs.

The more I thought about it I was like I don't save anything haha. So i'm just gonna do it right.

 

[Varminterror]

I level all of my reticles in the rings on a jig before installing onto the rifle rail, then check against a plumb bob and/or tall target when the rings/mount is installed onto the rifle.

 

[Walkalong]

The Short Action Customs Final Scope Level by chance, or another option? I have one and it works quite well, but I still prefer doing it on the rifle if it's for me.

 

[Walkalong]

This one?

 

[Varminterror]

This one?

View attachment 1095781

Yup - I dug through my photos for a bit last night but didn’t find it as readily as I had hoped.

A local smith cranked out a handful of these a few years ago, better pricing than the SAC model.

It adds an extra step, as I set my ring positions on the tube and eye relief with the scope on the rifle, then move the scope to this fixture, but it also gives me an opportunity to confirm level of the rifle AND a comparative reference to ensure the rings actually mate up to the rail true. 2 minutes for peace of mind.

 

[arsterling180]

I use the arisaka optic leveler and a plumb line. I'd say 80% of the time the leveler gets me dead on with the plumb line. Once and awhile I might have to do a final slight adjustment.

 

[Walkalong]

Then use a plumb bob with a thick string painted black to align the vertical crosshair.

The final Scope Level works well getting a scope set in rings vertically when doing it for someone else where it's a pain to get the rifle to do it. Then there is a slight chance the rails don't quite match and they might have to loosen one ring to install it on their rifle. That's OK, as long as they don't touch the other ring and use the it to line it up on the rail.