How to properly level a scope?

[nmkid]

I use one of these to level the rifle.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...ers/vertical-reticle-instrument-prod6097.aspx
After the rifle is secured level with the CL of the scope on a vertical line with the center of the barrel (what this tool is designed to do) , I use the level on the top of the turret or cap as a reference to rotate the scope until it reads perfectly level. I know that this is not theoretically perfect, but some very long shots have been made using rigs that I set up this way. I count this tool as one of my best purchases for gun work.

Any videos on that tool?

 

[BoydAllen]

I did not find a video but some of these images may give you an idea of how it works. https://www.google.com/search?q=ver...qNPLAhVGbB4KHTzXAkAQ_AUICSgD&biw=1120&bih=544

 

[Lightload]

I use a Sinclair offset scope level so that every shot is consistently level. First thing I do is attach the level to the scope, then sight on a horizontal line on the wall and tighten the level down when the scope is perfectly plumb. Then I get out my handy dandy rifle level from Extreme Tactical. This tool is a small stainless block with an integral level that sits on the bolt rails and tells you when the rifle is plumb. Now all I do is mount the scope while keeping the bubbles on the scope and rifle centered. Piece of cake! The rifle level from Xtreme costs just a little over 20 bucks. Neat little tool.

 

[yenak]

What Turk 1961 said.

 

[Canadian bushman]

I use one of these to level the rifle.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...ers/vertical-reticle-instrument-prod6097.aspx
After the rifle is secured level with the CL of the scope on a vertical line with the center of the barrel (what this tool is designed to do) , I use the level on the top of the turret or cap as a reference to rotate the scope until it reads perfectly level. I know that this is not theoretically perfect, but some very long shots have been made using rigs that I set up this way. I count this tool as one of my best purchases for gun work.

This tool is what i do with the addition to a scope level set where the reticle lines up with a plumb bob.

Has served me well this far.

 

[nmkid]

I did not find a video but some of these images may give you an idea of how it works. https://www.google.com/search?q=ver...qNPLAhVGbB4KHTzXAkAQ_AUICSgD&biw=1120&bih=544

Oh man!! Something else to buy. LOL.

 

[Milo 2.0]

My neighbors shutters across the street are level, all I'm going to say.

 

[eric32]

Deck of cards or a feeler gauge between the turret housing and scope rail.

 

[Dos XX]

Nightforce guarantees the bottom of the erector housing is plumb to the reticle. You can plumb that surface to the scope base with several methods, feeler gages, machinist adjustable parallel, etc.

 

[22BRGUY]

Everyone to his own and all good ideas here. I like to level my vertical crosshair with a plumb line as mentioned and then secure a scope level to always let me know where the scope is level. I then like to align the level scope in the rings to match a level on a bottom of the stock flat surface that actually rides the bags. That way when I view the scope level, I also know the stock is riding level in the bag.
It would seem to me that shooting at a plumb line would depend on the harmonics of the rifle bore and the particular load being shot.

 

[RemingtonAI]

I agree with a few above, with the easiest method I have found which is truing it to the scope base.. I use feeler gauges but a popsicle stick will work. I then set up a plumb line, true the reticle to the line and hand tighten the level while still looking through the glass to make sure nothing has moved. I'll then torque the level to the correct specification and recheck it against the plumb line to make sure nothing has moved.
While I do like the tall target test I do a modified version that combines it with a box test to test scope tracking at the same time. I shoot it just like a standard box test except the aim points may be 25-30 minutes apart, and I level the box target. That way I can see if there is any cant in the scope by its lateral or centered POI, also if it is tracking true to what I dialed (and if any correction factor will need to be applied). Then its easy enough to go ahead and shoot the box, 30moa up, 30 moa left, 30 moa down, 30 moa right. At that point I can verify my original POI has not changed after working the turrets, and it kind of solves and verifies a few things all at once. Jesse

 

[bobm]

Long ago someone made and sold a tool similar to the one I made long ago. ( I copied it.) It rides on top of the bolt lug rails of M700 and M70 actions for a leveling datum. The leaf spring keeps it pressed in place. Look through the upright end and line up the scope cross hair with the perpendicular black scribe line . Works perfect.