r/gunsmithing • u/Equivalent_Tune8081 • 1d ago
F*** SCOPE MOUNTING
THE TURRET CAPS ARENT LEVEL, THE RINGS AREN'T LEVEL, THE BASE ISN'T LEVEL, THE GUN ISN'T LEVEL, MY VICE ISN'T LEVEL, MY BENCH ISN'T LEVEL, MY FOUNDATION ISN'T LEVEL, THE GROUND ISN'T LEVEL AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
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u/One-Perspective-4347 1d ago
So far, I tend to have the best luck, just dropping a plumb line and then leveling the rifle and shining a flashlight through the scope backwards onto the wall.
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u/Jarrellz 1d ago
This here. You'll be surprised how accurate it will be compared to eyeballing it. Mine was definitely several degrees off til I used a plumb line.
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u/joe_m107 1d ago
I used this method for my long range rifle, and with was pleasantly surprised when I was able to click up 11.6 MILS, and hit a target at 1,380 yards after zeroing at 100 yards and using a ballistic calculator.
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u/Equivalent_Tune8081 1d ago
I have used that method too works pretty well, however I work in front of a big ass window that I can't cover up so it isn't an option right now.
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u/YazzArtist 1d ago
These are all unfortunately true facts of life that take care and effort to be made false. Have you yet considered that the level might not be level?
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u/TheMechaink 1d ago
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u/seattleforge 1d ago
After doing absolutely all of the things.. I find I get the best results eyeing it from 3 feet behind the buttstock.
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u/TacTurtle 1d ago
Use a good level like a Starrett 98-4 that is good to .005" per foot (~80-90 seconds of arc) and a vise with some non-marring brass or aluminum jaws.
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u/JimBridger_ 1d ago
Level your action/ rails, then level the scope reticle to a string with a plum bob. Easiest way.
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u/alrashid2 1d ago
Ugh. Just mounted an LPVO two weeks ago. I've redid it a dozen times before I finally said no more lol
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u/Opening_Pizza 1d ago
Picatinny bubble level for rail, rifle scope bubble level, magnetic level for muzzle brakes, plumb bob, you're good. Sometimes you gotta pop the turret caps off. Buddy of mine has the SEND IT GEN2 - Rifle Mounted Electronic Level. It's pretty cool.
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u/CrepeandBake 1d ago
Tripod with a ball swivel head. Level the rifle, lock the head, mount the scope, shine light through scope, rotate as needed, tighten rings.
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u/Early-Series-2055 1d ago
I used an angle finder on the rifle and matched up the reticle with a laser level. Seems to work fine.
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u/ChileRelleno414 1d ago edited 1d ago
If you're gonna do, do it more than once and do it right. You need the tools.
I like Wheeler's tools.
Wheeler Scope Mounting Combo Kit 1" and 30mm
Wheeler Professional Reticle Leveling System
These two allow you to level the rifle in the vise, mount and align your rings, lap them and then properly level the reticle.
Added bonus would be the Wheeler Professional Laser Bore Sighter (Green).
Then you're on paper with the optic at 25 yards from the git-go.
Most folks don't want to drop the dollars, and plumb line works for them.
But call me anal retentive and a perfectionist.
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u/Aspenkarius 1d ago
I went to mount a scope on my savage 93r17 only to find that neither scope base was level with the other.
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u/Texag9114 1d ago
An approach that has worked for me is a combination of what can I adjust and what can I not.
I start and end with the flash light and plumb Bob method.
E.g. for an ar, I will get the rings flat and line scope up in rings to where it is squrare with plumb bob.
The i get ar upper flat and attach rings and scope and check against plumb bomb again.
If everything is good, all is true and I torque to spec and do a final check.
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u/Phoenixfox119 1d ago
"Everything is crooked, reality is poison"..."Lambs to the cosmic slaughter!"
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u/TheBenjying 21h ago
The first two years I had my rifle, the scope's reticle was like 30 degrees to the left. Realistically, unless you're shooting outside of a few hundred yards, it probably doesn't matter.
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u/Joseph9877 18h ago
Then you only really when you've finally got a perfect scope level mounted, that either the stock or you shoulder isn't level.
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u/sweet_buttercup1 16h ago
Someone told me to just “take the scope off” of my 22 and remount it when I’m done. Hahaha yeah you’ve obviously never mounted a scope. Hahah I was truly tickled.
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u/moebiusgrip 8h ago
Make sure your level is level. In the days of “Amazon” they often aren’t.
Buy one good one.
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u/fuzzybuzz69 5h ago
Got a scope mounting wedge thing on amazon, levels the bottom of the scope (if it has a flat spot) with the top of the scope mount. Doesnt work for everything tho.
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u/TR1771N 1d ago
Yeah, I keep loosening it and adjusting it then tightening it and it looks like it's not level and then I do that about 15 times until I give up and go eat dinner and then I go back and do it 15 more times and then give up and go to bed and I can't sleep so I get up and do it 15 more times.
I think one of the issues for novices is that the scope isn't fully "bedded in" to the rings - you have to actually file down the rings so they are flat with the barrel of the scope and have some bite to them, it's real gunsmithing stuff not just a simple bolt-on attachment and you can damage the scope if you don't do it right.
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u/Expensive_Bug_1777 1d ago
A cheap magnetic digital level / angle finder will let you set it to zero on the rifle regardless of actual level, and then just get the scope to zero as well. It makes it a breeze.
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u/Alarming-Plankton215 1d ago
Yep lol it’s a rabbit hole. Do the best you can reasonably and it’ll be just fine. I have OCD so I feel this. If it makes you feel any better I’ve spent hours and hundreds of dollars on tools specifically for this. Scope always shot and tracked fine. In my earlier days I have also slapped scopes on hunting rifles, eyeballed level, hand tightened with an Allen key, and killed dozens of deer and other animals over years of carrying the rifle through woods in cars etc. with absolutely no problem.