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Level Level Level accurate enough??

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jvr View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
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Joined: January/02/2010
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jvr Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Level Level Level accurate enough??
    Posted: March/29/2010 at 19:45
I have upgraded several scopes and now have to mount them.  

I have mounted scopes for years (to tightly I have learned) and i compensated for distance via the hold over method. These are better quality scopes and will be using the knobs to adjust for distance and wind.  I am concerned that the bubble levels will not be accurate enough when changing the point of impact by moving the reticle.   Bubble level for the gun and plumb bob for the reticle?  Digital level for the gun; plumb bob for the reticle?   I have a gun vise and torque wrench.  Ideas would be helpful.

Thanks Jim 
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Dave Wilson View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dave Wilson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/29/2010 at 20:51
if you're using your turrets there's only one way to do it. most level the gun using the rails in the action.mount your scope with a level on the turrets or plumb string, it doesn't matter. take the gun to the range, get close to sighted in.doesn't have to be perfect, just close. shoot a 3 shot group on a piece of paper that extends 20" or so above this 3 shot group. take a level and draw a verticle line on the target up from the middle of your group. crank your turret up a full turn, about 15moa with most scopes and shoot another group using the same aiming point. if your scope is correct, the second group will print on the verticle line you drew about 15" above the first group. if not you'll have to rotate your scope in the rings till it does. this is also good for determining just how far the turrets move the POI.
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SVT_Tactical View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/29/2010 at 21:01
Everyone kinda has their own unique way of doing it.... the level level level, is an ok system and gets the basic premise down.  Think to remember is not all the turrent housings are level to the reticle. some off as much as a few degrees. You dont see it as much in the higher end stuff but just and FYI. 
 
I use a laser level on a wall about 25yds away and a vise with a bubble on the action and visually level the reticle with the wall laser.  sometimes after i put a bubble on the turret housing and again sometimes its level and sometimes its not depends on teh scope
"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
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sakomato View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sakomato Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/29/2010 at 21:09
IME, no the level-level-level bubbles are not accurate enough for proper scope mounting
 
besides, turrets are not always level and finding a place on the rifle where the action is level is not a certain thing.
 
Much better to set your rifle up in your gun vise, remove all the cant so it is straight up and down, align the bore of the rifle and the barrel of the scope and level the reticle while the rifle is uncanted.  IMO the best way to do this is with the EXD device
 
 
It is well made and mine is dead on as checked by a 24" carpenters level
 
I lock my gun in a padded vise and place the adjustable EXD on the scope and barrel and level it by rotating the gun in the vise
 
set the vise so that the rifle is aiming out the door or window to a distant object that is perfectly vertical or horizontal.  I use a 4' level on a fence 30 yards out the door.  Rotate the scope until the reticle is aligned with the distant level object.
 
The purpose is to level the EXD, have the reticle level with the distant object and lock the rings in on that position (not an easy thing to do but can be done by alternating the tightening of the ring screws).  But once you have it done, it is perfect and you will never have that feeling of frustration from setting it in sandbags at the range and thinking "Damn, this thing isn't level!"
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Dave Wilson View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dave Wilson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/29/2010 at 22:16
these are good ideas to get the scope close, and probably very good, but the only way to do it is shoot and see if the turrets move the POI in a perfect verticle line. i'm not gonna go into the technique i use and that would be to have the reticle a little off verticle to allow for spin drift.
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