Rifle Scopes Leveling a NF scope

[QuietShootr]

I have been doing some very long range shooting this summer, and I've discovered that my scope is canted just a hair. I'm trying to remount it so it's perfectly level, and I'm having some problems doing that. I understand leveling the gun - but can any surface on the outside of the scope be counted on to be perfectly perpendicular to the reticle? i.e. does the feeler gauge method actually work accurately enough for this application?

Thanks guys..

 

[Sendero_Man]

Re: Leveling a NF scope

Feeler gauge or a stack of business cards works equally as well.

Assuming you are running a Pic rail...

 

[QuietShootr]

Re: Leveling a NF scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sendero_man</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Feeler gauge or a stack of business cards works equally as well.

Assuming you are running a Pic rail... </div></div>

Am indeed.

For the next problem, leveling the separate bubble-level ring, I assume it'd simply be a matter of putting a small level on the rail, leveling the gun, then rotating the ring until the bubbles match, no?

 

[Mile High Shooting]

Re: Leveling a NF scope

The only perfectly flat spot on the scope is the bottom of the saddle, so use that as your leveling reference

 

[RobertB]

Re: Leveling a NF scope

There is a feeler gauge made by someone that uses 2 triangles that slide aginst each other so the both sides are parallel to each other. I dont know who makes then but it works great. Other than that look at the dead level from badger. Good luck

 

[MJY65]

Re: Leveling a NF scope

Spuhr also makes a nice tool for use with separate rings and a Picatinny.

 

[Bennybone]

Re: Leveling a NF scope

I have the same issue, what is the business card method?

 

[KYpatriot]

Re: Leveling a NF scope

I used a feeler gauge to mount mine, then I set up a large piece of cardboard that I had drawn a perfectly straight vertical line with a big thick sharpie, marked every minute of angle. I mounted the cardboard on a target stand to get and used a plumb bob to ensure that the line a drew was perfectly vertical. A 4ft level would work as well.

Sandbag your rifle or strap it so it cannot move, get the vertical crosshair on the line on the cardboard, and without disturbing the rifle dial the elevation 30moa or so. The horizontal crosshair should match up with your 30moa mark on the board, and the crosshair should not displace left or right if the reticle is level and the scope is level.

By doing this, you are confirming several things at once...that your scope's click values are accurate and consistent, and that there is no significant cant in the reticle due to the scope itself or your mounting.

 

[Kilmore]

Re: Leveling a NF scope

Get a Craftsman or Proto socket just a little less than what will fit between the flat on the bottom of your scope and the pic-t rail. The socket will rest in the slots of the rail. Get a feeler gauge and turn the scope until you have good (tight but still able to slide the feeler gauge with resistance) contact from the socket to the scope flat. Fast, easy, and very accurate. You can check the gap on both sides with a dial caliper to verify that you scope is perfectly level.

 

[OptedOut]

Re: Leveling a NF scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MJY65</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Spuhr also makes a nice tool for use with separate rings and a Picatinny. </div></div>

The Spuhr A-0080 and A-0081 - Special tool for leveling the scope when mounted with separate rings.

This precision engineered mounting tool is much better than any small levels or feeler gauges. It's one of the best scope mounting investments you can buy.

 

[CoryT]

Re: Leveling a NF scope

Note that there is a differance between leveling the reticle and leveling the turret. Leveling the turret, using the flat of the bottom housing, insures the adjustments track correctly. Given mfg tolerances, the reticle may or may not end up perfect. Most mfgs have a +/- 1.5 degrees of reticle cant to meet spec.

If you are using somthing like a Horus or other grid reticle and will almost always use holds, then level the reticle on a plumb line.

Once the scope is leveled as required, mount the scope tube level, set the gun in the correct position and adjust the unit to read level.

 

[turbo54]

Re: Leveling a NF scope

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: QuietShootr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Does the feeler gauge method actually work accurately enough?</div></div>

Yep

Without a CMM, there is really no way to truly gaurantee the vertical crosshair would, if extended downward, cut through the centerline of the bore. Every "technique" makes a number of assumptions that various parts have been machined true to their design intent.

As far as I'm concerned, assuming the top surface of your pic-rail is square to the receiver, and the bottom of your turret housing is square to the reticle is as good an assumption as any of the others.

 

[easygoose]

Re: Leveling a NF scope

I use the wheeler reticle leveling kit. I've had good results with it, and like Cory said manufacturers have a allowable tolerances so it's probable not going to ever be 100% perfect.

 

[Spuhr]

Re: Leveling a NF scope

CoryT are right, there is certain tolerans for the reticles placement.
But at the same time the levelleing is really only REALLY important compared to the bubble level.
Because when you are shooting without a bubble level you will align the gun after the reticle, and if the barrel should be 1/32" or so in any direction it will not affect what you are aiming.

Its always nice to have the reticle/scope as much in level as possible to avoid a feeling of a gun you cannot trust.
But in all honesty it must be said that the levelling is not that critical that many people seems to belive.

Håkan

 

[E. Bryant]

Re: Leveling a NF scope

According to the Nightforce Owner's Manual, page 9:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The reticle in all Nightforce scopes is confirmed plumb with the flat surface on the bottom of the adjustment saddle. See Figure 7. You can use pin gauges, a sliding sine bar or flat shims to align the flat surface with the top of the scope rail.</div></div>

 

[Lofty]

Re: Leveling a NF scope

Heres the method Ive always used and it works great.

I dont care so much if the scope is level with the gun. Level with the gun is open to too many variations. My concern is that the reticle is level and plumb with the world around it.

I get the gun level but I dont spend to much time on it....just throw a quick bubble level across the rail. Then after setting the scope in the rings I line the vertical reticle line up with a piece of kite string I have hanging around 30 feet away with a weight on the end.

Since I know for a fact the string is plumb with the world, I know my reticle is as well. Then I adjust my bubble level to be perfectly level, all the while making sure to my reticle stays in line with the plumb string.

Once theyre both perfect, I know that as long as my bubble level is level, so is my reticle.

All this is for naught if you dont confirm it at the range on a nice big white sheet of paper.