scope alignment

[M-61]

trying to find a sure way to align crosshairs with the action on a 700P. Is the top turret parralel with the horizontal crosshair? There seems to be no place I can see to place a level on the action that will support the level. Is picatinny rail a reliable reference point to use if it is indeed square with the action ...left to right? Is just aligning the scope so it appears correct 'good enough'?
Thanks

 

[rayporter]

hang a rock on a rope under the target and align the cross hair with the rope when it splits the bore as you bore sight. leave it hang to check your hold any time you set up.

 

[BoydAllen]

This is the best that I have seen.
http://www.microlevel.biz/vertical_retical_instrument.html
I really like mine. It puts the center on the scope over the center of the barrel, and has a bubble to verify that the line between them is vertical. The only other thing that you need, for the most accurate work, is a plumb line.

 

[TheSnake]

Your 3 questions:
We have to assume the top turret is parallel to the horizontal cross hairs on a good quality scope.
The rail, being a machined part bolted to the action is the best reference point you can get.
I don't think you can eyeball this with any precision and must use tools of some sort to assist.

There was a post or bulletin on this site where a small framing square was placed on the top of the rail with the long leg pointing up. Then the vertical leg placed against the windage turret to square up the scope. I am going to give this a try the next time I mount a scope as this seems to be the best method I have ever heard of.

I feel using bubble levels is much better than eyeballing it, but they too are subject to the users ability to center the bubbles absolutely perfectly.

 

[TheSnake]

This is the best that I have seen.
http://www.microlevel.biz/vertical_retical_instrument.html
I really like mine. It puts the center on the scope over the center of the barrel, and has a bubble to verify that the line between them is vertical. The only other thing that you need, for the most accurate work, is a plumb line.

This looks very good too.

 

[M-61]

Thanks for the replies. I agree, a bubble beats eyeballing. On a 700P there is only a section of the receiver less than a quarter of an inch to use as a reference point...hard to be sure the level is properly mounted. Then I had to assume the top turret is parrelel to the horizontal crosshair....no way to check(Millett 6x25 which I am happy with optics at a reasonable price). However the idea of using a framing square etc., sounds like a great idea and I will work on that as that will give a much better reference point. I am trying to eliminate each unknown. The rifle, scope etc. are all new purchases. .308. Shoots well but no where near my 37 year old .222benchrest rifle which I had made for me in 1975. Off I am to website given.
Thanks

 

[jonbearman]

That micro level looks real interesting and will buy one in the future.

 

[itchyTF]

I got a similar one from Brownells -

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=6097/Product/EXD_ENGINEERING_VERTICAL_RETICLE_INSTRUMENT

That and the plumb bob.

 

[BoydAllen]

That's it, and a picture to boot....everyone who mounts scopes should have one, and a lapping bar....Kokopelli