Do you want plumb crosshairs or level turret ?

[DLT]

I decided to check my reticle with a plumb bob and It was canted ever so slightly. I have always got my rifle level and then used a level across the top of the turret or the top of the turret cap. I use the wheeler scope alignment tool. If I get my reticle plumb but the elevation turret is slightly canted would the scope not track off center ? Which is more important ? I shoot recreational only Thanks

Scope is a sightron stac 4-20

 

[snert]

Suggest a tall target test. You can search that topic here on search mode.

If the reticle is not plumb with the turret, you have an issue as you go further out. in the 2000's Leupold had issues with a bunch of scopes being sent out in what I call 1159/559 oclock. Not quite straight up and down.

A tall target test will tell you if your scope tracks of line as you adjust.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I decided to check my reticle with a plumb bob and It was canted ever so slightly. I have always got my rifle level and then used a level across the top of the turret or the top of the turret cap. I use the wheeler scope alignment tool. If I get my reticle plumb but the elevation turret is slightly canted would the scope not track off center ? Which is more important ? I shoot recreational only Thanks

Scope is a sightron stac 4-20

The reticle for sure is what you want plumb.

 

[DLT]

The reticle for sure is what you want plumb.

It’s off a little is all. The human eye can’t pick it up with out checking it. I have had a couple scopes that the reticle was off bad from the turret. I just wondered which one your supposed to go by, a straight reticle or a flat turret

 

[WSnyder]

The reticle for sure is what you want plumb.

And what then if the reticle isn’t on the same plane as the internal adjustments? As in you level the reticle, do a tall target test and the poi is off left or right??? I’ll bet if he’s noticed the turret and the reticle aren’t on the same plane after leveling the reticle that it will not track vertically correctly. Level one or the other, shoot a tall target test and adjust from there. If the reticle at that point is out far enough to see and it bugs you send it in to be fixed. BTW I prefer to level the turrets. I’ve seen way too many reticle’s installed incorrectly and needed fixed.

 

[Eagle Six]

That's a good question and a bag of worms. I have had several scopes that the turrets were not square with the reticle. I like to square the rifle (not always easy!) and then use a plumb line to level/square the reticle. That tells me the reticle is squared up with earths gravity. If the turret is not level, I turn it 180 degrees and see if it is off the same amount. If not then the turret cap is probably out of square and if the turret works smoothly it's probably not going to make any difference.

As @snert points out a tall target or similar test should help determine if there is a real issue. Either I return the scope for service or conduct a test. Until you perform a test you really cannot tell which to go by and it may be neither! I have always set the reticle to plumb and turns out the turrets didn't matter.

 

[Magnett]

Your initial leveling should be off the bottom of the turret boss. On a leveled rifle use a level mounted to squared flat stock (like Defensive Edge sells) and hold against the bottom of the turret boss to level the scope. Check the vertical cross hair against a distant plumb bob line.

 

[Bill Norris]

It’s off a little is all. The human eye can’t pick it up with out checking it. I have had a couple scopes that the reticle was off bad from the turret. I just wondered which one your supposed to go by, a straight reticle or a flat turret

More important to go with plumb vertical. Do the tall target to get the scoop.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

And what then if the reticle isn’t on the same plane as the internal adjustments? As in you level the reticle, do a tall target test and the poi is off left or right??? I’ll bet if he’s noticed the turret and the reticle aren’t on the same plane after leveling the reticle that it will not track vertically correctly. Level one or the other, shoot a tall target test and adjust from there. If the reticle at that point is out far enough to see and it bugs you send it in to be fixed. BTW I prefer to level the turrets. I’ve seen way too many reticle’s installed incorrectly and needed fixed.

If the elevation turret pulls a plumb reticle sideways, I think it needs a trip back to the factory. I do see your points and I’m not being argumentative.

 

[DLT]

If the elevation turret pulls a plumb reticle sideways, I think it needs a trip back to the factory. I do see your points and I’m not being argumentative.

If it was off by “x” amount, would it not pull it sideways ? I guess if it was off just a touch then it would pull it sideways just a touch vs if it was off a lot it would pull the reticle sideways a lot ?

 

[Kracken McGraw]

If it was off by “x” amount, would it not pull it sideways ? I guess if it was off just a touch then it would pull it sideways just a touch vs if it was off a lot it would pull the reticle sideways a lot ?

The tall target test that Bill and others suggested may be the only way to find out for sure.
I believe Ryan Cleckner shows how he does this on one of his shooting sports Foundation videos.

 

[whatsupdoc]

Quick way to check, take a long level and mount it vertically at a good distance say 100 yards. A contrasting background helps. Setup the rifle in a rest with the crosshairs lined up at the top edge of the level. Turn the elevation turret up and watch the crosshairs move down along the edge of the level. Hardest part is making sure the rifle is not moving.

 

[mikecr]

Since I dial elevation, I need plumb elevation ADJUSTMENT (regardless of crosshair type/condition or turret).

 

[DShortt]

All this concern yet how many shooters use a target with no crosshair reference? Many use a circle drawn with a sharpie on a paper pie plate.

Where's the consistency? That's all I'm pointing out.

 

[Bill Clifton]

All this concern yet how many shooters use a target with no crosshair reference? Many use a circle drawn with a sharpie on a paper pie plate.

Where's the consistency? That's all I'm pointing out.

That's what levels on your scope is for.

 

[R.Morehouse]

If you are shooting a known distance, as in benchrest with sighters, if you put a level on the stock and one on the scope ( turret ) and everything "appears" level, what are your chances of being way off the mark?

Regards
Rick

 

[big5ifty]

The reticle must be plumb.

A level across the turret doesn't mean the reticle is level, it just means the top of turret is level.

I use lights to get the vertical of the reticle to bisect the bore.

It may happen that the reticle is canted in the scope.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Cross should be level with the action. If it's not, the farther out you shoot the more your hitting point will be off.
And a target with reference lines will show you. If you're just shooting circles, no problem, as long as the hits are on paper.

 

[SKWERLZ]

I plumb up reticle, set bubble level to coincide(if used) and then check that turret tracks with reticle.

 

[Bill Norris]

If you are shooting a known distance, as in benchrest with sighters, if you put a level on the stock and one on the scope ( turret ) and everything "appears" level, what are your chances of being way off the mark?

Regards
Rick

Chances will be high. The top of the turret is not setting level in most scopes. The flat area below the turrets are a much better reference point to compare to the leveled action.Ultimately the tall target test needs to be shot to confirm point of aim is printing correctly.