How To Mount a Rifle Scope With Perfectly Vertical Crosshairs

Riflescopes can be hard to mount, and correctly mounting them can be even more difficult. If you want to make sure that your riflescope is perfectly aligned, you may want to take some extra steps to ensure that it is perfectly leveled.

To mount a rifle scope with perfectly vertical crosshairs, ensure that your rifle is level when you mount your scope. You can use a level and a plumb bob to check that the reticle is perfectly aligned with your rifle before you fully mount it.

If you have never managed to mount your rifle scope with a perfectly aligned reticle, you may just need to change the way you mount your scope. There are several ways to get a perfectly aligned scope. In this article, we will discuss the simplest method to do so.

Simple Method for Mounting Your Scope

It is crucial to make sure that the reticle of your scope is aligned with your rifle since any inaccuracies will throw off your shot. There are some easy tricks to mounting your scope accurately for short and long range. Following the steps below will ensure that you get perfectly vertical crosshairs every time.

Tools to Mount a Rifle Scope

To mount your scope, you will need a level surface, a rifle, a scope, and a well-lit workspace, as well as some other tools:

A bipod or gun vise
A bubble level
A plumb bob or necklace
Scope rings
A screwdriver
An accurizing torque wrench like this one from Wheeler

Once you have gathered your materials, place them on a level surface like a table or kitchen counter. If you are unsure if your surface is level, use the bubble level to check. Once you have found a good workspace, it is time to mount your scope with perfect accuracy:

Steps to Properly Level Rifle Scope Crosshairs

Install a Bipod or Put Your Rifle in a Gun Vise

Make sure to secure your gun and prop it up on a level surface to ensure that you install the scope level to your rifle.

Remove the Bolt

For safety reasons, you will want to remove the bolt from your rifle before mounting the scope. Removing it will ensure that your rifle does not accidentally go off while you are mounting your scope. While you are installing your scope, set the bolt aside.

Install the Scope Base

Use the accurizing torque wrench to screw the scope base into your rifle. Make sure to set the accurizing torque wrench to the specs of your scope manufacturer to ensure that the scope stays stable and to keep the base from cracking.

Put The Level On The Scope Base

After you have installed the scope base, set the level across the scope base. If your rifle is not level, adjust its bipod or gun vise. Ensuring that your rifle is aligned will compensate for any irregularities in the scope base before you mount your scope.

Tighten the Bipod or Gun Vise

Now that your rifle is entirely level, secure it by tightening the bipod or gun vise. Doing so will keep the gun from shifting during the next step.

Install the Lower Rings

Without moving your rifle, use the accurizing torque wrench to install the lower rings of your scope mount. Make sure to set it to the scope manufacturer’s specs when installing the lower rings so that you do not screw them in too tight.

Place the Lower Half of the Ring Inserts

You may not have ring inserts for your scope, but you should place them in the lower rings that you just installed if you do.

Gently Lower Your Scope Into Place

When you put your scope in the rings, be careful not to move your rifle so that it is still level and the inserts do not become displaced.

Place Upper Half of the Ring Inserts

Without jostling your rifle, carefully place the upper half of the ring inserts over your scope. Then, place the upper half of the rings over your scope.

Take the upper half of the scope rings and put them over the ring inserts or directly over the scope if you do not have ring inserts.

Screw-in the Upper Half of the Rings

Screw the upper half, but not all the way. When you are screwing in the upper half of the rings, spin them until they are almost snug. Leaving some room in the rings will allow you to make any adjustments if the scope is not correctly aligned.

Get Out a Plumb Bob or Necklace

Any pendant will do for this step. Hang the pendant or plumb line on a well-lit wall. This will give you a guide when you are aligning the crosshairs of your scope.

Adjust It Until the Vertical Crosshairs Are Aligned

Look through, and adjust until the vertical crosshairs are aligned with the plumb bob’s string. Twist the scope until the vertical crosshairs cover up the plumb line or pendant’s string. Check the level after adjusting the scope. If it is not level anymore, adjust your rifle, and then twist the scope again until the vertical crosshairs obscure the string.

Put the level on top of your scope. Ensure that the whole rifle is aligned, and leave the level on top of the scope for the next step.

Slowly Tighten The Screws On The Rings

When you tighten the screws on the scope’s rings, tighten each screw just a little, alternating between each one. Keep an eye on the level while you do this since the scope can shift as you tighten the screws.

If the scope becomes unleveled, adjust the scope, and then keep tightening the screws. Replace the bolt, and you are done!

Final Thoughts on Mounting a Rifle Scope with Perfectly Vertical Crosshairs

Making sure that your rifle scope is installed level to your rifle will always give you the best results. It will be easy to align them if you follow these simple steps. Once you have installed your scope correctly, you can rest assured that you will always get an accurate shot.

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