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Posted: 7/27/2011 2:10:55 AM EDT
| Anyone have advise on scope leveling? AR-10 flat top getting 3-12 Tactical scope. JB |
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I hang a piece of black 5/8" rope with a weight on it or indoors I have used a lazer level to generate the line and a small Starret machinists square to level the gun in the vice.
Shoot "boxes". From a known good zero with a good rest on a grid pattern target,fire to center of target to confirm zero then still maintaining a center hold, add 8 clicks up shoot 3rds, 8 clicks right shoot 3rds, 8 clicks down shoot 3rds, 8 clicks left shoot 3rds, to confirm that the scope is tracking and proper orientation of the cross hairs. You don't indicate what brand of scope you are looking at purchasing so I will add that if it is not a pretty good scope or you don't have a proper rest you can skip the shoot boxes part as it will only cause you heartache. However if it actually IS a "tactical" scope not just CALLED a tactical scope this should be done in 15rds. This is how I level and test any scope I install. It is neither scientific nor fool proof but I have used it with good results. |
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If running a rail system, I put a small level on the handguard. Adjust till level, but leave level on the rifle. Mount the scope and rings, but leave slightly loose. Second level goes on elevation cap. Adjust to level on scope.
So long as both show level, you are good to go. That said, unless I want precision (not a plinker) I don't worry about it. |
| I use something like this set on the rail to ensure the gun is level and then agian on top of the scope to level it. |
| I always mount the rifle in a bench vise with soft jaws and level the optic rail with a machinist's level. Install the lower halves of the rings and torque them. Re-check the rail to ensure that it is still level. Lay the scope in the rings and install the ring caps, but don't tighten the screws. Get behind the rifle and adjust fore and aft for eye relief. From there level the scope using the machinist's level and the top of the elevation turret as a reference. |
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Quoted:
As posted above, Hang a length of black paracord with a weight on the end. Then set your rifle in a rest and use a level on the flat part of the rail. Rotate scope until verticle reticle alignes with black paracord.  This is the way to do it. I have a rail mounted bubble level. Level the rail, align the vertical of the reticle with the hanging string. Quick, easy and very precise. My hanging string is at 25 yards. |
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Quoted:
Assuming that turret cap surfaces are parallel to the reticle will lead to trouble. Assuming that the reticule tracks along the crosshair will lead to even more trouble. It's the mechanism, not the reticule that determines the tracking axes. The mechanism is aligned with the turrets. If you level the reticule and the reticule is canted in the mechanism, you're going to introduce windage error whenever you dial elevation. Pretty much means that you are limited to using holdover. If that's the only way that you shoot, fine, level the reticule. |
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