Rifle Scopes ? on scope leveling and cross hair

[dougm58]

If I level the gun, then the scope is leveled(remove the dust cap from the turret and set a small scope level on top of it) when I mount it. I make sure nothing has shifted during the mounting, but when I look through the scope, I notice the horizontal cross hair is slightly canting upward. If I have the turret level to the bore than the scope should track correctly, right?

I'm planning on shooting at 200 yrds, with the target drawn using a level to insure the verticle and horizontal lines right, and after zeroing I'm going to crank the elevation up and make sure the shots land on the extended perpindicular(plum) verticle line of my target, but I was just wondering if anyone else ever ran into this when mounting/leveling their scopes.
Maybe the question is: If the turret direction and the cross hairs don't match, should you go by the turret position or the cross hair?
Thanks
Doug

 

[jerseymike]

Re: ? on scope leveling and cross hair

i would go by your crosshairs, maybe the reticle inside is canted. what kind of scope is it? Try hanging a plumb line 25-50 yds away from you and try to even out the reticle lines with the plumb line. Then i would do a box test.

 

[Topstrap]

Re: ? on scope leveling and cross hair

I haven't seen a scope yet that the top of the turrent is level with the crosshairs but I've also never had a topend scope. Personally I would say always crosshairs, but until you do the verticle tracking test you can't be totally sure.

There are a couple good threads on here about setting up your scope. One of the best lil gadgets that will really help you is that lil Bsquare level for about $17.00 from Brownells to level your action on top of your weaver style mount. Either use bipod or vise and level action up then mount scope and use a 4ft level and draw a verticle line on a wall across the basement or hang a string and line up the verticle line of the crosshairs on that.

There is more to it to get everything perfect such as centering your crosshairs in your scope body then checking for true verticle tracking as you crank in more elevation but this should get you started. I don't have the thread to set your scope up but I'm sure someone will post it or you can search this topic area to find it.

Good luck

Topstrap

 

[Brain]

Re: ? on scope leveling and cross hair

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dougm58</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Maybe the question is: If the turret direction and the cross hairs don't match, should you go by the turret position or the cross hair?
Thanks
Doug </div></div>

If dialing, mechanically plumb is your goal. If holding over, optically plumb is necessary.

 

[Rafael]

Re: ? on scope leveling and cross hair

I have always been in the camp of "level the reticle just in case it is not square to the body".

Last week I visited our friends at USO and I got to see some of the testing methods they use to produce scopes.
They actually set the scopes in a jig with the saddle assembly held square, then verify the reticle is square to the assembly.
I was pleased to see they verify this and will now trust that I can mount my USO's by squaring the saddle to the base if I ever feel the need.

My home-shop setup makes it easy to set the rifle up in a vise with the base level; then prove the reticle is true to a plumb object in the distance......this is also the perfect opportunity to test the travel for proper tracking as well.....just in case I ever accomplish the feat of damaging one of them.

 

[dougm58]

Re: ? on scope leveling and cross hair

Thanks guys, some good information for sure.

I used the same procedure on my USO then tested by cranking the elevation up and my shots tracked the verticle line of the target.

The scope I'm having the issues with is a NF. I'm going shoot it as I have it now, then test the tracking and if off, will adjust the scope so the cross hair is level and test it again.