Thought I'd do a quick how-to on the fastest, easiest, and cheapest way I've found to level out the scope on your rifle.
The first thing I'll do is eyeball the scope close to level, then check for eye relief. I'll make sure to check it on both minimum and maximum zoom, to make sure that no matter the magnification I can get a proper eye box. Barely snug up the rings to the point that it will hold the scope steady, but you can still freely rotate it.
I will then set the rifle up on a bipod, with books or something similar under the pistol grip to elevate it slightly beyond level (if you set everything up on a table, just set the rifle level front to back). Make sure the back of the rifle is about 10' away from a blank wall in your home.
I happen to have a scope mount with a built-in level, but if you don't then a small $3 level placed on your rail will suffice.
Level the rifle out side to side. Turn out the lights, and shine a flashlight through the front of your scope. You should see the reticle projected onto the wall behind the rifle, although it may take some focusing to get a clear picture. Hang a plumb bob (any kind of string with some kind of small weight on the bottom) from the wall near the center of where the reticle is projected from the flashlight. Give the string a minute or two to calm down and be completely still.
If needed, position the center of the reticle to where it lines up with the plumb bob. That way, when you rotate the scope it will stay centered on the line. Now you're ready to get the scope oriented to where it lines up perfectly with the plumb bob. Confirm that you didn't accidentally adjust the rifle when rotating the scope, and if everything is level you're good to torque down the rings to their proper spec.
If you have a bubble level you're wanting to attach to the scope, now is the time to do it. Make sure the rifle is still level, and the reticle still matches the plumb bob, and adjust the bubble level to match. I will then usually do one final double check, and then you're done!
The only two things you would possible have to buy (assuming you don't already own them) is the flashlight and the small level. I'm sure most of us have a flashlight or two kicking around, so really the only expense for this setup would be the $3 level from Home Depot.
The first thing I'll do is eyeball the scope close to level, then check for eye relief. I'll make sure to check it on both minimum and maximum zoom, to make sure that no matter the magnification I can get a proper eye box. Barely snug up the rings to the point that it will hold the scope steady, but you can still freely rotate it.
I will then set the rifle up on a bipod, with books or something similar under the pistol grip to elevate it slightly beyond level (if you set everything up on a table, just set the rifle level front to back). Make sure the back of the rifle is about 10' away from a blank wall in your home.
I happen to have a scope mount with a built-in level, but if you don't then a small $3 level placed on your rail will suffice.
Level the rifle out side to side. Turn out the lights, and shine a flashlight through the front of your scope. You should see the reticle projected onto the wall behind the rifle, although it may take some focusing to get a clear picture. Hang a plumb bob (any kind of string with some kind of small weight on the bottom) from the wall near the center of where the reticle is projected from the flashlight. Give the string a minute or two to calm down and be completely still.
If needed, position the center of the reticle to where it lines up with the plumb bob. That way, when you rotate the scope it will stay centered on the line. Now you're ready to get the scope oriented to where it lines up perfectly with the plumb bob. Confirm that you didn't accidentally adjust the rifle when rotating the scope, and if everything is level you're good to torque down the rings to their proper spec.
If you have a bubble level you're wanting to attach to the scope, now is the time to do it. Make sure the rifle is still level, and the reticle still matches the plumb bob, and adjust the bubble level to match. I will then usually do one final double check, and then you're done!
The only two things you would possible have to buy (assuming you don't already own them) is the flashlight and the small level. I'm sure most of us have a flashlight or two kicking around, so really the only expense for this setup would be the $3 level from Home Depot.
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