Rifle Scopes Did I mount correctly? Newbie mounts first scope

U

Underwhere

Private
Minuteman
Feb 5, 2010
49
5
48
#1
I picked up a Leupold Mark 4 6.5-20x50mm ER/T M1 Front Focal scope to mount on my LR-308.

I bought a wheeler mounting kit.

I'm a little unsure of whether I mounted this thing correctly or not.

Here is what I did.

1. Mounted the rings temporarily
2. Used the alignment bars to align the ring bases
3. Secured the Seekins bases to 55 inch pounds
4. Put the caps on and hand tightened on the lapping bar
5. Lapped slightly
6. Placed the scope on top, leveled it against the rail on the upper receiver
7. Tightened the cap screws to 20 inch pounds


Questions:
So if I did all that, am I ok for sighting in tomorrow?
What happens if I sight in and my adjustments are maxed out?
Is the scope too far back? I can foresee it getting a little clumbsy grabbing the charging handle.

2wgi4qo.jpg

ev2lqr.jpg

sq2lci.jpg

 
#2
Re: Did I mount correctly? Newbie mounts first scope

back the ring tops off to about 15 inch lbs per Seekins Website. And why on earth did you need to lap them? were the alignment rods outta wack?
 
#3
Re: Did I mount correctly? Newbie mounts first sco

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Underwhere</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Is the scope too far back? I can foresee it getting a little clumbsy grabbing the charging handle.
</div></div>

Set your scope to where you have proper eye relief. If you are having difficulty reaching the charging handle, invest in an extended latch.
 
#4
Re: Did I mount correctly? Newbie mounts first scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Underwhere</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I picked up a Leupold Mark 4 6.5-20 FFP scope to mount on my LR-308.

I bought a wheeler mounting kit.

I'm a little unsure of whether I mounted this thing correctly or not.

Here is what I did.

1. Mounted the rings temporarily
2. Used the alignment bars to align the ring bases
3. Secured the Seekins bases to 55 inch pounds
4. Put the caps on and hand tightened on the lapping bar
5. Lapped slightly
6. Placed the scope on top, leveled it against the rail on the upper receiver
7. Tightened the cap screws to 20 inch pounds


Questions:
So if I did all that, am I ok for sighting in tomorrow?
What happens if I sight in and my adjustments are maxed out?
Is the scope too far back? I can foresee it getting a little clumbsy grabbing the charging handle.
</div></div>

is your eye relief set up properly for you? the scope appears forward quite a bit... and the stock long ...

how did you level it to the rail on the reciever? with a feeler guage? if so then that is as level as it is gonna get if you did i properly.

it wont have any problems sighting in at 100yrds with a flat base... problem you might run into is getting to max elevation before reaching 1000yrds. you would need a 20moa base/mount possibly.

other than that looks solid.
 
#5
Re: Did I mount correctly? Newbie mounts first scope

Sounds like you got it pretty much right. Regarding the position of the scope, eye relief normally determines how far back it goes. You want to push it as far forward as you can and still get edge to edge clarity with no shading around the recticle when you look through it. Normally you check it a few times by putting your head on the stock and taking your normal cheekweld a few times before you tighten down the caps. If you have trouble getting your hand on the handle or you keep bumping the scope then you might have to get taller rings.

If your adjustments are maxed out then it might mean that your upper is not drilled straight. USO makes adjustable rings that can fix your windage. I doubt you will max out elevation but there are base options if you need additional elevation. All depends on where you end up but zero and see where you are first and then worry about it if you have an issue. You will probably be fine. You've got a good base.
 
#6
Re: Did I mount correctly? Newbie mounts first scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: deadly0311</div><div class="ubbcode-body">back the ring tops off to about 15 inch lbs per Seekins Website. And why on earth did you need to lap them? were the alignment rods outta wack? </div></div>

I just did it because I could I guess. They weren't perfectly aligned. The rear ring was maybe just a smudge off.

I'll back the screws to 15 inch pounds.

So should I center the elevation and windage before sighting in?
 
#7
Re: Did I mount correctly? Newbie mounts first scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Underwhere</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So should I center the elevation and windage before sighting in? </div></div>

I usually do but mostly because I count the "clicks" to see how much actual elevation and windage the scope has. If all is straight it might save you a few rounds when you zero and let you know exactly how far off your receiver/mount is.
 
#8
Re: Did I mount correctly? Newbie mounts first scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Underwhere</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> So should I center the elevation and windage before sighting in?</div></div>

Just put a target at 25 yards. Put rounds slightly below the bull. Move target to 100 yards and finish.
 
#10
Re: Did I mount correctly? Newbie mounts first scope

Save some ammo and do a quick "optical bore sight".
The following can be done at the house or range:
- Remove the upper from lower, and pull the CG.
- Bag or brace the upper without holding by hand.
- Sight through barrel and align on any point (target, knot on fence, X or dot on pie plate, etc)
- align scope.
You can do this at 20-25 yds and typically be within 1" at 100.

Kevin
 
#11
Re: Did I mount correctly? Newbie mounts first scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ktdls7</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Save some ammo and do a quick "optical bore sight".
The following can be done at the house or range:
- Remove the upper from lower, and pull the CG.
- Bag or brace the upper without holding by hand.
- Sight through barrel and align on any point (target, knot on fence, X or dot on pie plate, etc)
- align scope.
You can do this at 20-25 yds and typically be within 1" at 100.

Kevin </div></div>

I tried last night but wasn't very successful.

I had the thing in my kitchen and I was pointing at a flower maybe 30 feet away.

I was spinning the turrets but I couldn't make out any any movement.

Eh. I may end up just wasting the ammo.
 
#12
Re: Did I mount correctly? Newbie mounts first scope

Bolt guns have been easy due to weight and stock shape. I bore sighted an EOTech on a PS90 by clamping the barrel assembly to a well-padded bench using a large plastic-jaw woodworking clamp.

If you were trying to hold the upper by hand, there was probably too much movement. If you can't clamp, use sand bags or other bracing under, over, and sides of upper.

Good Luck,

Kevin
 
#13
Re: Did I mount correctly? Newbie mounts first scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I had the thing in my kitchen and I was pointing at a flower maybe 30 feet away. </div></div>

Thats way to close, unless it was a sunflower
laugh.gif
Pick out something 100yrds away or so, to get a better adjustment.
 
#14
Re: Did I mount correctly? Newbie mounts first scope

So I went to the range today and I'd appreciate some of your advice. I know the target doesn't look good for 25 yards. You can poke fun if you want. I'll take it.

I bore sighted at the range. Removed the upper and balanced it on some crap laying around. I adjusted windage and elevation until I thought I was pretty much dead on.

I put the target at 25 yards (furthest I can go indoors)
I had the front up on the bipod and was holding the rear with my elbows on the bench. Unfortunately at this range the bench is one single long row and as other shooters use the range they push and lean against it making it rather difficult to get a steady shot.

First shot was about 2.5" high and 1.5" left so I made some adjustments. My scope is in 1/4 moa so I moved it cautiously about 7 moa down and 3 moa right. I walked the shots after that into the center with some adjustments.

Then I took some down below and then a few on the upper left
1q1shv.jpg




I know it's pretty apparent that I don't know really what I'm doing but I'll pick up quick once I have some time to do some research and when I can get some time to go out to my other range.

Some questions for you guys as I'm having some issues:
Caution: some of these questions may be stupid.

1. At 25 yards (my scope is a 6.5-20 I was having a lot of difficulty seeing the target clearly at higher magnification. Basically whatever I did wasn't working. At the lowest magnification it was fine, but I am used to shooting my 10/22 at 16x at full magnification and seeing perfectly clear. Is there a reason why everything is blurry at 25 yards on this scope? I adjusted parallax and it didn't seem to do anything.


2. Adjusting the eye piece. Honestly, I swear it does nothing. whether I spin it all the way in or out the reticle is always clear. Is that because it's front focal plane? If so what's the point of the lock ring?

3. Is it possible that I have this scope mounted too low? I had trouble getting proper eye relief the way I was shooting (standing with bipod on a bench) I know one of you guys made a comment that the scope seemed pretty far away but I think if I moved it even further forward it might be a little better. Is that odd? I have the stock adjusted as far back as it will go. I also have the cheek adjustment lowered as far as it will go.

4. As it stands right now at 25 yards I have roughly 32 moa of elevation up and 48 moa down

I have 42 moa of right windage to go and 36 of left windage to go. That seems pretty well centered.

Does this seem about right or does it really not matter?

5. Sometimes I had a hard time focusing on the reticle itself. Other times it's perfectly clear. Is there a reason for this? Am I cross eyed?
 
#16
Re: Did I mount correctly? Newbie mounts first scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chiller</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Did you presse the seekins rings forward in the Pic rail before you tightened then up? </div></div>

F no.
I remember reading that and in the 2 hours I spent mounting this, I forgot to do it.

what effect will that have?
 
#18
Re: Did I mount correctly? Newbie mounts first scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chiller</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Recoil..

Where things are set up.

really, really, really would not have lapped the rings.

Glen does a great job and you may have just created a problem for yourself.

Where are you located?

</div></div>

I'm in MA. Why?

Why would lapping the rings create a problem and how would I find out if it is?
 
#19
Re: Did I mount correctly? Newbie mounts first scope

If the rings are trued from Seekins and you lap them... you are adding space in the rings for the scope to move. This can be barely noticeable but it will affect your accuracy. Glen's rings are some of the best. No need to mess with them once you get ahold of them
 
#20
Re: Did I mount correctly? Newbie mounts first scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KYshooter338$</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If the rings are trued from Seekins and you lap them... you are adding space in the rings for the scope to move. This can be barely noticeable but it will affect your accuracy. Glen's rings are some of the best. No need to mess with them once you get ahold of them </div></div>

I'll keep that in mind for my next set. Thanks for the advice.

I don't think I'm at the point where I can test accuracy as I was shooting off of a bench on wheels that other people were leaning on and shooting off of...and I just checked and the scope seems pretty solid in there.
 
#21
Re: Did I mount correctly? Newbie mounts first scope

Oh...this is also a brand new rifle as well if that makes any difference on accuracy. First 20 rounds it's ever seen were tonight.

I've always considered barrel break in a myth on pistols but you guys probably have evidence otherwise.
 
#22
Re: Did I mount correctly? Newbie mounts first scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Underwhere</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
1. At 25 yards (my scope is a 6.5-20 I was having a lot of difficulty seeing the target clearly at higher magnification. Basically whatever I did wasn't working. At the lowest magnification it was fine, but I am used to shooting my 10/22 at 16x at full magnification and seeing perfectly clear. Is there a reason why everything is blurry at 25 yards on this scope? I adjusted parallax and it didn't seem to do anything.


2. Adjusting the eye piece. Honestly, I swear it does nothing. whether I spin it all the way in or out the reticle is always clear. Is that because it's front focal plane? If so what's the point of the lock ring?

3. Is it possible that I have this scope mounted too low? I had trouble getting proper eye relief the way I was shooting (standing with bipod on a bench) I know one of you guys made a comment that the scope seemed pretty far away but I think if I moved it even further forward it might be a little better. Is that odd? I have the stock adjusted as far back as it will go. I also have the cheek adjustment lowered as far as it will go.

4. As it stands right now at 25 yards I have roughly 32 moa of elevation up and 48 moa down

I have 42 moa of right windage to go and 36 of left windage to go. That seems pretty well centered.

Does this seem about right or does it really not matter?

5. Sometimes I had a hard time focusing on the reticle itself. Other times it's perfectly clear. Is there a reason for this? Am I cross eyed? </div></div>

Scope should be clear at all magnifications. If you adjusted the parallax/focus and it's still blurry then you've got a scope problem. Same with the eye piece but I guess if it's clear then it's not really a problem. Verify by looking at a blank wall rather than a target and focusing on the recticle.

For eye relief, were you having issues with shading on the top or bottom? That will tell you if it needs to be raised or lowered. Shading all around is the distance to your eye. You need to check it whereever you plan to shoot it because it will be different standing, versus sitting or prone. Set the eye relief in whatever position you actually plan to shoot it. If it's clear one moment and fuzzy the next, and you are sure your scope is not moving, then you are not consistent in your positioning behind the scope. Either that or you have a serious scope problem. The goal is to put your head/eye in the same place every time you get behind the scope. Consistent cheak weld. Your problems with the scope being blurry might be related.

You need to check your zero at a minumum of 100 yards unless you plan on only shooting at 25. You can be pretty close at 25 and be 10" off at 100 so get it zeroed at 100 and then check the remaining elevation and windage adjustments.

Don't worry about break-in. You have 20 rounds through it so just go shoot it.
 
#23
Re: Did I mount correctly? Newbie mounts first scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Underwhere</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chiller</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Recoil..

Where things are set up.

really, really, really would not have lapped the rings.

Glen does a great job and you may have just created a problem for yourself.

Where are you located?

</div></div>

I'm in MA. Why?

Why would lapping the rings create a problem and how would I find out if it is? </div></div>

Should have read more and acted less.

would start from scratch.

get the rings forward.

get everythng plumb, level, and square.

Use the feeler gages.

brings the mouts down uniform.

check torque.

then bore site it.

25 yard zero is going to be similar to your 300+ yard zero assuming you have a 20 MOA base (run through JBM to confirm my dope info is in the other room.)

and when you get good rings......<span style="font-size: 14pt">DONT LAP THEM.</span>
 
#26
Re: Did I mount correctly? Newbie mounts first scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Underwhere</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So what if you get rings and the rail that you are mounting them on is not perfectly aligned? </div></div>

You won't have that problem with good equipment. Spend the money on good gear and save yourself the grief.
 
#27
Re: Did I mount correctly? Newbie mounts first scope

That scope is not designed to correct the parallax error at 25 yards nor will it focus any closer than 50 yards on the higher powers. I'm thinking I can't use 20 power at 50 yards at all on my big scopes. If you really need to shoot that close regularly Leupold makes a 50' adapter that threads into the ocular lens. The parallax error will really open up your groups if the check weld is not perfectly consistent. As long as the rings still have a gap on each side they are clamping fine. Lapping them lightly hurts nothing. Just don't over tighten them as it does bad things to the scope internally. It will bind the erector making the adjustments erratic. The instructions on focusing the eyepiece are pretty good and I'm sure if you follow them you will get the reticle focused nicely. Once focused the reticle will stay sharp. With it out of focus your eye will compensate for awhile then it will blur out due to fatigue. Out of the box it is usually perfect for 20-20 vision. To adjust it it needs to be done with quick looks. If you look through it whole time you turn it your eye will compensate and you won't see much change until it goes beyond the ability of your eye to compensate. Relax. You do have good equipment.

<span style="color: #3333FF">"So what if you get rings and the rail that you are mounting them on is not perfectly aligned?"</span> Nothing. Your windage will just not be perfectly centered in the scope. You have lots of adjustment left so it will not be a factor. Extreme misalignment that interfeared with your adjustments would have to be corrected.

Trying to shoot groups off your elbows is a real challenge the most seasoned shooters try to avoid. Reason is consistency and the ability to have any sort of consistent follow through are near impossible. In the field you can hit stuff that way but for precision work a rear bag will give better results.

I don't worry much about break in on anything. One thing I do on a rifle is make sure I get all carbon and copper out after every outing. That's just me though. Many will only clean when the accuracy goes south. The break in on a new AR rifle is really more of the functioning of the rifle. Once it wears and laps it parts to each other reliability will be improved.

To check cheek weld and eye relief mount the rifle in your shooting position with the scope on it's highest power and your eyes closed. Now when you open them ideally you should be looking perfectly centered through the scope. I nice full sight picture with no dark edges. An adjustable cheek piece will help you raise up if needed or taller rings are in order if you need to go lower.
 
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