scope leveling

[shearfun]

Just wondering what is the best method to level a scope, ie. Make sure the reticle is square with the action.just put a zeiss conquest 5-25x50 on my new howa 204 stainless heavy barrel and i swear it crooked. Shoots ok but i want to do it properly

[Vermingone]

I use some small spirit level canisters. Set my rifle up on bi-pod place one of these across the back where the bolt slides in and make it level then I place another on the top turret and level it then tighten the screws.

[bimbo]

I do similar to above but I have an electronic angle finder thingy. I set up the rifle in a solid rest, bipor would work but I use a the cradel in my mtm range box. Then sit the angle meter accross the base and zero the meter. Then fit the rings and scope and sit the meter on top the scope turret and twist it till it reads zero on the meter. I then double check that the rifle hasn't moved by putting the meter across the mag floor plate or some where flat on the stock (should read 180 cause it is upside down)

Seems to work pretty well and a hell of a lot better than trying to line it up by eye.


Cheers
James

[stinkitup]

I use little spirit levels on the rifle in the rest or mtm range box, I then put on the turret or hang the plumb bob in the garage and line the reticle up with that. That way if the turrets are out then it should be more accurate from the reticle.

Do you have any details on your electronic angle thingy bimbo?

[bimbo]

it is similar to this
http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/M977
There are plenty of variations on the same.
I got mine as part of a kit/set when I bought my tube bender so not sure on what it cost. Just means that you can make angles relative to each other without it having to be level

[Camel]

Here you go mate, just ask Larry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rFOtmWq ... 4-overview

[frakka]

Using a bubble or digital level on the action and turret assumes the reticule is in alignment with the turret and I guess mostly it is.

Stinkitup's method is a check against the reticule not being in alignment with the scope body.

I have used a theodolite (total station these days) about 5 or 6m in front of the rifle and set up to look centrally down the bore, then rotate the rifle so that the instrument reticule lines up with the centre of the scope reticule, then rotate the scope so that the vertical line in the scope lines up with the vertical line in the instrument.

Super accurate method but frustratingly slow to acheive initial alignment, the plumb bob is simpler and just as effective with a very fine string and a reasonable distance from the muzzle.

[shearfun]

Thanks for the advice, i used the level accross the bases and on the top turret method. Now to check its tracking alright at the range.
That was the original problem, short range was fine but at longer range it wasn't tracking right because it was canted.

[stinkitup]

Good Idea with the theodolite Frakka, I find it harder to trust the rifle is level than anything and hope at least if the reticle and turrets aren't perfect the adjustment is.....but I guess it won't be.

Another way to check after doing it is if you can adjust to 10m and put up some paper with grids on it or even a decent target with a vertical line then wind it down 10 moa or something and see if it is still dead on the line if it moves to one side consistently can adjust.

[Tackleberry]

i could have sworn i posted this already this thing is the ducks guts

[Tackleberry]

.............

[shearfun]

That looks like the go! Is that a Wheeler engineering kit? Thats what i was thinking of getting. You think they're worth having deye223?

[bimbo]

Yeah or you could do like deye223 and use the tool that is actually designed for the job

[Tackleberry]

shearfun no it's not the kit i got the fatboy and the level from the us it was cheap to

and definitely worth having