What is the best way to level a scope?

[Hokkmike]

We all want our cross hairs (reticles) to be perfectly perpendicular and horizontal when mounting our rifle scopes. When putting a new scope on I usually set up a level some distance away, and using bidpods on my rife, try to align the up-down cross hair with the level. I use the level to make sure that the surface that the rifle is placed on is as horizontal as possible.

Do you have a better method that you can recommend?

A friend of mine has a little "level" that he places on the little flat surface found on the adjusting knob of the scope, but that is contingent upon keep the rifle on a horizontal plane as well.

Does it really matter that much for accuracy if the reticles are set in a X fashion instead of a +?

 

[JohnRov]

I have the Level Level Level from Wheeler. It's nice but doesn't insert in my Sako's action. So I level my rifle (the top of the Sako is flat) and then put a level on the windage knob.

Having an "X" configuration won't affect accuracy, but you will be adjusting in two planes every time you adjust what used to be windage and elevation and it will make diailing in your scope a lot harder.

 

[1911 guy]

Bench, vise, level and string.

1) place your rifle in the vise on the bench.
2) Level the rifle. Trueing from the reciever is best, but going off the rings will work if it's a round reciever, like a Savage.
3) Lay the scope in the rings and slide it foreward and backward, find proper placement for eye relief.
4) Place top halves of rings and finger tighten the screws.
5) Hang a string with a small weight on it in front of the rifle. Due to gravity, this will always hang straight down.
6) turn the scope so the vertical crosshair is even with the string.
7) tighten ring screws. Then bach them out one at a time to treat them with either clear nail polish or the appropriate blue loc-tite.

 

[moredes]

It really makes me scratchy to think about putting my rifle in a vise. My vise is made with corrugate jaws, and I'm klutz enough to screw up the finish, even with jaw pads.

So I use a combination of the first two posts. I bag my rifle butt and use the bipod, leveling the receiver with a level; then I twist the scope to align it with another level that I've put out at around 30yd.

 

[1911 guy]

Sorry, meant shooting vise.

I was thinking of a shooting vise which will allow for movement to align the scope with the string while maintaining level.

 

[Thefabulousfink]

A shooting vise is the prefered way to do it, but you can use a bench vise. Take one or two old bath towels fold them up and cushion the jaws of the vice. Remember the old saying: "the right tool for the right job.... and when that doesn't work, IMPROVISE!"

 

[Jubjub]

You've all forgotten the most important step: don't buy those damn Weaver rings with the screws on only one side. You tighten the screws, it twists the scope. Curse, loosen, repeat.

 

[RNB65]

It really makes me scratchy to think about putting my rifle in a vise. My vise is made with corrugate jaws, and I'm klutz enough to screw up the finish, even with jaw pads.

I use a great big Craftsman hunk of steel bench vice to hold rifles and shotguns for cleaning. Just wrap a folded hand towel around the gun to protect it and you'll be fine. Works great.

 

[rockstar.esq]

I've had some luck using interior trim (that's been checked for level) and a bipod. Most if not all of my friends scopes are crooked as all get out which drives me nuts. I've seriously thought about one of those Wheeler scope leveling jigs.

 

[Onmilo]

I mount a bench vise to a leveled drill press table, I then secure the weapon and level it in the bench vise with two bench levels, and use a target that has perfectly centered crosshairs and has been mounted on the wall and leveled.
My drill press table has a wheel turned jackscrew adjustment so I can adjust the height of the table to align the scope crosshairs to the target crosshairs.
The distance between the drill press table and the wall mounted target is a measured 25 feet.
Sounds like a lot of work but I guarantee the rifle and scope are level in relation to each other.
If the scope is crooked it is because the shooter is canting the weapon.

Another little tip.
Most guys don't use a scope ring lap to hand lap the rings either, I do.
Not lapping the rings so they are perfectly aligned with each other will cause the scope to cant as the screws are fully tightened.HTH