How level is level?

[vossman]

Am I doing this right?

How between the lines does the bubble have to be? If I put the lever in the receiver it shows one level and if I put it on the top of the rail I get a different level. It?s a bitch to keep this thing from rotating as the screws are tightened.

[Gman]

level is dead in the middle.

[Tim K]

Adjust the scope in the rings so they parallel. That’s the short answer. If you’re an OCD nut, read on.

If you dial for elevation, leveling the bottom of the scope to the gun is pretty ideal. That way the erector is traveling perpendicular to the rifle. You can do this easily by loosening the scope in the rings and using feeler gages of some sort (post it notes work well) between the bottom of the scope and the top of the rail.

If you hold over for elevation, then it’s more important to level the reticle with the rifle. Remember, due to manufacturing tolerances they two may not be perfectly aligned. IIRC, Leupold says the reticle being five degrees out of whack is in spec. Level the rifle without the scope and lock it in place somehow. Mount the scope and look through it at something you know is plumb or level. Turn the scope in the rings till the reticle lines up and you’re done.

I’ve tested several NF scopes, and their reticles have always been perfectly aligned with the erector within my ability to measure. You could do it either way and be darn close enough.

[vossman]

Thanks TimK

[Frac]

I have one of those bubble levels from a Wheeler kit. It is a total piece of feces. Check your level to make sure it is truly level.

On mine, I can level a scope then rotate the level 180 degrees and it no longer reads level.


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[KS63]

I machined a 12” long 1 1/2”x2” parallel ground steel billet and tapped it for a 6” long pic rail. I then attach my scope and mount to the fixture and set it on a level granite table used for measuring parts. I use a Starrett machinist level to square the scope and bubble level without having mess with a rifle and bags. Also making a fixture for Tall Target Testing of scope elevation adjustments of the optic only.

[Delfuego]

Don't use the turrets to level the scope. Use a bubbles to level the rifle and a plumbline for the vertical. You cannot trust the turret/cap to be perfect.

[Not_A_Llama]

I like:
Bubble leveling the gun
Then putting a plumb line up on a wall
Then shining a flashlight through the eyepiece of the scope, projecting the reticle on the wall
Align reticle projection with pumb line.

[wyome]

I like:
Bubble leveling the gun
Then putting a plumb line up on a wall
Then shining a flashlight through the eyepiece of the scope, projecting the reticle on the wall
Align reticle projection with pumb line.

That's nifty! Stealing this idea

[longrange2]

All good tips, thanks for sharing everyone.