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+--- Thread: Leveling Your Rifle Scope (/showthread.php?tid=11100)
Leveling Your Rifle Scope - PredatorDown - 03-31-2016
Thought I'd do a quick how-to on the fastest, easiest, and cheapest way I've found to level out the scope on your rifle.
The first thing I'll do is eyeball the scope close to level, then check for eye relief. I'll make sure to check it on both minimum and maximum zoom, to make sure that no matter the magnification I can get a proper eye box. Barely snug up the rings to the point that it will hold the scope steady, but you can still freely rotate it.
I will then set the rifle up on a bipod, with books or something similar under the pistol grip to elevate it slightly beyond level (if you set everything up on a table, just set the rifle level front to back). Make sure the back of the rifle is about 10' away from a blank wall in your home.
I happen to have a scope mount with a built-in level, but if you don't then a small $3 level placed on your rail will suffice.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Johnson-Keychain-Level-1813-0000/204513499
Level the rifle out side to side. Turn out the lights, and shine a flashlight through the front of your scope. You should see the reticle projected onto the wall behind the rifle, although it may take some focusing to get a clear picture. Hang a plumb bob (any kind of string with some kind of small weight on the bottom) from the wall near the center of where the reticle is projected from the flashlight. Give the string a minute or two to calm down and be completely still.
If needed, position the center of the reticle to where it lines up with the plumb bob. That way, when you rotate the scope it will stay centered on the line. Now you're ready to get the scope oriented to where it lines up perfectly with the plumb bob. Confirm that you didn't accidentally adjust the rifle when rotating the scope, and if everything is level you're good to torque down the rings to their proper spec.
If you have a bubble level you're wanting to attach to the scope, now is the time to do it. Make sure the rifle is still level, and the reticle still matches the plumb bob, and adjust the bubble level to match. I will then usually do one final double check, and then you're done!
The only two things you would possible have to buy (assuming you don't already own them) is the flashlight and the small level. I'm sure most of us have a flashlight or two kicking around, so really the only expense for this setup would be the $3 level from Home Depot.
![[Image: image.jpeg]](http://s968.photobucket.com/user/MikeLangston/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image.jpeg.html)
![[Image: image_1.jpeg]](http://s968.photobucket.com/user/MikeLangston/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_1.jpeg.html)
![[Image: image_2.jpeg]](http://s968.photobucket.com/user/MikeLangston/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_2.jpeg.html)
Leveling Your Rifle Scope - AZ. Old Guy - 03-31-2016
Now why didn't I think of that. Thanks
Leveling Your Rifle Scope - biodsl - 04-01-2016
Great idea. I'll be giving it a try soon. Thanks!
Leveling Your Rifle Scope - jim_bob - 04-03-2016
Pro Tip! Thank you sir.
Leveling Your Rifle Scope - OLDCOOT - 04-03-2016
Thank you. A rare ingenious and cheap fix.
Leveling Your Rifle Scope - jeff556 - 04-15-2016
Brilliant!
Leveling Your Rifle Scope - smithsession8 - 04-18-2016
I'd never heard of this! I love it. I'll be using it this week when I finally get my first Grendel together and mount glass to it!
Question: Is it necessary to make sure that the rifle is perpendicular to the wall and front to back level? I figure the angles would still remain the same, but sometimes I'm spatially challenged without it in front of me. AKA if you had (extreme example to illustrate the point) your rifle 45 degrees to the wall, then is it possible that the lines would appear unlevel from the angled projection?
Leveling Your Rifle Scope - PredatorDown - 04-18-2016
smithsession8 Wrote:I'd never heard of this! I love it. I'll be using it this week when I finally get my first Grendel together and mount glass to it!
Question: Is it necessary to make sure that the rifle is perpendicular to the wall and front to back level? I figure the angles would still remain the same, but sometimes I'm spatially challenged without it in front of me. AKA if you had (extreme example to illustrate the point) your rifle 45 degrees to the wall, then is it possible that the lines would appear unlevel from the angled projection?
If the rifle is level front to back, then it should still project a level reticle even if it isn't perpendicular to the wall. It's pretty easy to eyeball it close enough to perpendicular that it shouldn't matter, especially if the rifle is at least close to level front and back
Leveling Your Rifle Scope - silvertipCO - 05-10-2016
very cool, ive scoped a 100 rifles but never tried this. and often times my level level isn't plumb( as checked by shooting and seeing diagonalish group tracking)
Leveling Your Rifle Scope - just_john - 06-30-2016
another reason to be reasonably perpendicular to the wall is that if there is any lean to the wall ( and an amazing number of walls are not plumb ) then as the angle of the rifle to the wall decreases, its shadow will no longer show to be vertical but will follow the angle of the wall
Leveling Your Rifle Scope - Rickc - 09-03-2016
This little gadget is awesome for installing a scope level. Some mounts don't have the clearance for it but the ones that do takes all the.guesswork out of it.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/sight-scope-installation-tools/scope-reticle-levelers/optic-leveler-prod75317.aspx
Then I take the rifle out in the yard, hang a plumb Bob out about 50 yrds away and check for a level recticle. Most people hold their rifle on a cant. This will show you that too. If you have it on a cant and the margins are the same top and bottom you are good to go.
Some long range shooters who hold their rifles canted actually set their scopes up taking into account their cant. Your rifle doesn't actually have.to be.level to work at long range but the cross hairs in the scope do.
Leveling Your Rifle Scope - Klem - 09-03-2016
Good spot...The original idea comes from SPUHR in Sweden, but theirs costs 40USD;
http://spuhrwebshop.com/en/spares/a-0080-81.html
Leveling Your Rifle Scope - Joseph5 - 11-21-2016
If your scope has a flat on the bottom of where the adjustment turrets are and you have a flat top receiver you can put a piece of metal that has parallel sides like a chisel in between the scope and receiver and twist so the parallel edges go up and down. If your rings are loose enough for your scope to rotate in, the edge pushing on the flat spot on the underside or the scope tube will cause it to rotate so the flat spot is parallel with the top of the receiver then tighten your rings and you are done.
Leveling Your Rifle Scope - James Gray - 11-27-2016
Just awesome thank you
Leveling Your Rifle Scope - Kilco - 11-27-2016
Holy crap that's a good idea...
On a side note, did you go to the LRSU black friday milk jug challenge? I know you have been pushing your 7mm SAUM WAY out there.
Leveling Your Rifle Scope - PredatorDown - 12-29-2016
Kilco Wrote:Holy crap that's a good idea...
On a side note, did you go to the LRSU black friday milk jug challenge? I know you have been pushing your 7mm SAUM WAY out there.
Wow, I've really gotta start checking this place more often lol.
Yep, went and did the Black Friday 1000yd MJC. I tried it with the Grendel shooting the 118gr Cavity Back Bullets and wasn't able to connect. Had several shots within a couple inches, just one of those days I guess.
I've been doing most of my work lately with the 7SAUM and 270wsm switch barrel setup. I was able to push the SAUM out to 2647 (1.5 miles) a little while back, and still push the 270wsm to a mile. I can't even remember the last time I shot the SAUM closer than 1000 yards lol. 270wsm is currently my primary long range prairie dog setup.
I've also got another build and semi-build in the works right now. The full build I'm doing is on an old Ruger M77 tang safety currently chambered in .243 Win. Will be converting it to a 20" 6.5 Creedmoor and using it as my dedicated lightweight hunting rifle. Will be throated to shoot the Barnes 127gr LRX or 120gr TTSX. It will see the most use on coyotes (might also work up a load with the 100gr amax for them), but is being built with deer/elk hunting in mind.
The other semi-build I'm doing is really just another barrel and scope for my switch barrel setup. Talking with a smith in Arkansas, he's creating a dedicated long range prairie dog wildcat for me. Should be able to launch the 6mm 87gr vmax at 3700fps! Assuming it'll get that velocity, it'll only take 11.25moa of drop to hit 800yds from a 100yd zero! It'll also be topped with a Vortex Golden Eagle 15-60x52, so seeing the little critters at extended ranges shouldn't be an issue so long as mirage allows.
All in all, plenty of exciting things happening over here lol. Also hosting a group for some ELR shooting in the spring. Some of them are hoping to stretch out to 2.5 miles (4400yds)! The same smith developing the 6mm wildcat for me has already developed a 375 for ELR shooting. Has less than half the drop at 2 miles as a 338LM! He'll be coming out for that one, and I believe the goal is to get to the full 2.5 miles, more if we have the real estate for it
Leveling Your Rifle Scope - mdewitt71 - 12-29-2016
Great Idea....... almost puts my $75 Scope Mount Kit to shame but, I got the lapping tools too.
Thanks for sharing.
Leveling Your Rifle Scope - hikfromstik - 01-09-2017
This method works great . I still used a level because it was my first time and it all lined up perfect. I showed a friend and he went straight home and redid all of his scopes . I always eyeballed mine thinking it would be fine , Boy was I wrong . My new vortex razor hd has a bubble level and when I leveled the scope and on board level I was back to 0.5" groups again just like my old scope . I've passed this knowledge to a few other gun people .
Leveling Your Rifle Scope - Chrazy-Chris - 05-04-2017
damn! I wish I would've seen this a few days ago. Never knew of the flashlight trick. I'm going to have to check mine when I get home. Nice! Thanks!
Leveling Your Rifle Scope - mtptwo - 05-04-2017
Now patent a fancy flashlight holder that will clip onto the end of the scope and make a million.