Leveling a Scope Vital or Not?

promiseofwar · Dec 21, 2016

So, my question is about leveling a scope on your gun. The gun in question is not a "precision bolt action gun" nor is it a "18 or 20 inch SPR." What I am about to ask I have always wondered. The gun I had the Scope Leveled on installment, you bring the gun (AR15 14.5") up to shoot off-hand (scope 1-4x24) the crosshairs are a little canted. I have another gun that I leveled via (eyeball method) where I picked up the gun a dozen or so times and tightened down the mount when it looked level (to me). So, when I pick that gun up to shoot off hand the crosshairs look level. I never checked to see if the eyeball method was level, maybe I will later today. Zeroed at 25 yards. I shoot more off-hand than any other way. How do you mount your scopes? Do you use a level? Thanks for any feedback!

Pokinfun · Dec 21, 2016

I use the wheel kit. I had the cheaper one which worked fine, but I upgraded to the professional kit.
When I was younger, I used a machinist 2 inch level, and put the gun in a gun vice.

Jwryan84 · Dec 21, 2016

You can level the rifle and aim it at a door jam and line it up pretty good without all those mini levels

undeg01 · Dec 21, 2016

To achieve the most accuracy mechanically (no outside influence), it is inherently necessary to level the scope with the rifle. My process is very similar to Pokinfun, except I start by leveling the guns receiver and locking it down in a vice, then move on to leveling the scope. That being said, this is on my precision rifles that I want shooting well under 1/2 MOA.

Now, for your example of an AR with a 1-4X scope, it would seem that you are not looking for the most precision you can muster, so the eyeball method would probably be sufficient. I have an AR that I scoped by eyeballing it and have shot many a coyote off handed at the 200-250 yard range.

Short of it, if it serves your purpose and you are happy with the results you get, that's all that matters. Doesn't matter if the rest of us would do it differently or not.

Blitzfike · Dec 21, 2016

The effects of a canted scope on accuracy are multiplied the longer the range is. Things like parallax come into play more in that case.

dennishoddy · Dec 21, 2016

Pokinfun said:
I use the wheel kit. I had the cheaper one which worked fine, but I upgraded to the professional kit.
When I was younger, I used a machinist 2 inch level, and put the gun in a gun vice.

Pretty much the way I level scopes. ^^^^^

Erick · Dec 21, 2016

promiseofwar said:
So, my question is about leveling a scope on your gun. The gun in question is not a "precision bolt action gun" nor is it a "18 or 20 inch SPR." What I am about to ask I have always wondered. The gun I had the Scope Leveled on installment, you bring the gun (AR15 14.5") up to shoot off-hand (scope 1-4x24) the crosshairs are a little canted. I have another gun that I leveled via (eyeball method) where I picked up the gun a dozen or so times and tightened down the mount when it looked level (to me). So, when I pick that gun up to shoot off hand the crosshairs look level. I never checked to see if the eyeball method was level, maybe I will later today. Zeroed at 25 yards. I shoot more off-hand than any other way. How do you mount your scopes? Do you use a level? Thanks for any feedback!

I think it is extremely important to not only level the scope but also torque the screws to manufacturer's specs. I want to have confidence in what ever I shoot so taking the easily corrected variable out is essential for me. If you are only shooting at exact distances that you are zerod in is one thing, but anythig beyond that would require a correct vertical hold or your rifle will be pointed at the angle your crosshair is sloped in. Again, for 10 min worth of work, why not have it correct?

Badger308 · Dec 21, 2016

It is absolutely not necessary to level the scope. Are you also going to level it when you shoot it? HMMMM.... not necessary.

mr ed · Dec 21, 2016

Since my head is not on straight, I level by eyeball. Whatever appears level each time I throw the rifle to my shoulder is correct for me.
If it was perfectly level and my cheek weld didn't match, My long distance accuracy would be off since I'm not shooting a gun from a vise.

doctorjj · Dec 21, 2016

kdstitt said:
It is absolutely not necessary to level the scope. Are you also going to level it when you shoot it? HMMMM.... not necessary.

Yes. You are, if you want to hit anything at distance. The problem with the bubble levels, they aren't super precise and unless you're using a really high quality scope, (over $1,000) then leveling any exterior part of the scope may or may not correspond to the crosshairs. For my precision rigs, where I'm mounting a $2500 Vortex or a S&B, I use a pair of precision parallels and that ensures the bottom of the scope is flat to the picatinny. If you are talking custom guns and really high end glass, then you will be dead nuts. Anything else, I just eyeball then do a tall target test.

Leveling a Scope Vital or Not?

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