Optic rail canted to the side?

[Blindeye_03]

I purchased my remington 700 used with a larue 20moa rail installed already by the previous owner. I mounted my rings and installed the optic, and found if I used a piece of metal (feeler gauge) to make the scope level with the rail that the scope was canted to the side.

Could this be possible? I apologize if I should have put this into the optics forum but I felt it was more appropriate here. Searching the forum has become an arduous task now that the forum is updated and it looks like the faq's still dont point to anything.

I had a hard time finding a level part on the receiver but ended up using a small level I purchased from mcmaster-carr and made the scope level with that part of the receiver. I have worked on firearms before - mostly pistols so I am confident I can do this, I just need a starting point or some pointers. All in all I i have a feeling I should remove the scope, and the rail and remount it, but I am confused if its just me or if it really is canted to the side (the scope base).

Thanks for any help that can be given.

-Justin

 

[dustinoif3]

I'm not wanting to make things worse but sometimes I've heard that remington doesn't always get the base screws directly in line. I would for sure take everything back apart and look at what the previous owner did. Maybe reassembling torquing as you go will fix it

 

[dustinoif3]

Oh one other thing. Always push your rings back while applying torque. That will keep them square with the slot in the base.

 

[Blindeye_03]

Should you push rings back or forward? Thought I saw to push the rail and rings forward. I'll take it all apart it check. Also where on the 700 should it be flat? Other than the top.

 

[Lukas Koukal]

I believe dustin meant to just push them ahainst the slot to keep them square. Indeed, push them forward = same what happens under recoil when the rifle itself travels back.

 

[Blindeye_03]

That is what I did when I installed them, but the rail was installed on the rifle already when I purchased it second hand.