OpticsTalk by SWFA, Inc. Homepage SWFA     SampleList.com
Forum Home Forum Home > Scopes > Rifle Scopes
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - getting crosshairs straight
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials.

getting crosshairs straight

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
Message
hammer View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: April/26/2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 15
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hammer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: getting crosshairs straight
    Posted: August/16/2006 at 13:33
What is the easiest and cheapest way to get the crosshairs level when mounting a scope?
Back to Top
mwyates View Drop Down
Optics Master
Optics Master
Avatar

Joined: June/15/2004
Location: Texas
Status: Offline
Points: 1196
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mwyates Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/16/2006 at 13:47
There's all sorts of levels, etc. that you can buy; most are inexpensive.  I quit using anything but my eye.  I put the rifle on a rest and then align the crosshairs.  Then I shoulder the rifle as naturally as possible several times to make sure it looks OK.
Back to Top
bill47 View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: December/16/2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 49
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bill47 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/16/2006 at 14:41

Hang a string with a weight.

Aim at the string.

Allign the vertical crosshair with the string.

Tighten scope.

Back to Top
mwyates View Drop Down
Optics Master
Optics Master
Avatar

Joined: June/15/2004
Location: Texas
Status: Offline
Points: 1196
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mwyates Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/16/2006 at 15:05
That ought to be cheap enough   Just make sure your rifle is plumb.
Back to Top
Anthony View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice
Avatar

Joined: June/01/2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 223
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Anthony Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/16/2006 at 23:05

The only way to properly align the reticle is to do it with a level rifle. Just about every level out there is in a word, crap. In my opinion the only one that really works better than eyeballing it like you guys is the EXD engineering reticle instrument, available at brownells for 46 bucks. it is well worth it for its adaptability, because it will work with virtually any gun. It may not be worth it for some of you guys, because you can have the hole dang thing done for you professionally cheaper. I am not saying there is anything wrong with eyeballing it, I am just pointing out that this is as they say the right tool for the job,

 

Back to Top
bill47 View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: December/16/2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 49
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bill47 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/17/2006 at 10:46
I find the level to be a red herring.  It is the vertical crosshair that is of prmary concern.  I want the POI to be along the vertical.  If I align the vertical with gravity, it is a great start point.  If I don't align the vertical, then it is only good for one distance.  Less than the distance shoots to one side, more distance and the POI is on the other side.
Back to Top
Anthony View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice
Avatar

Joined: June/01/2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 223
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Anthony Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/17/2006 at 11:10
This reticle instrument aligns the verticle crosshair with a plumb bob. along with the rifle being level.
Back to Top
mwyates View Drop Down
Optics Master
Optics Master
Avatar

Joined: June/15/2004
Location: Texas
Status: Offline
Points: 1196
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mwyates Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/17/2006 at 13:25

Originally posted by bill47 bill47 wrote:

I find the level to be a red herring.  It is the vertical crosshair that is of prmary concern.  I want the POI to be along the vertical.  If I align the vertical with gravity, it is a great start point.  If I don't align the vertical, then it is only good for one distance.  Less than the distance shoots to one side, more distance and the POI is on the other side.

 

Maybe I'm wrong here but won't the horizontal crosshair be right if the vertical is?????

I guess that's something all the non-Leupold users have to deal with

 

Back to Top
Anthony View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice
Avatar

Joined: June/01/2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 223
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Anthony Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/17/2006 at 14:16
Ok I will try to make this as clear as possible... you put the reticle instrument on the scope/rifle, then you set up a plumb bob and and look through the scope, (surprisingly you can still see through the scope with the big block of aluminum in front of it) with the rifle in a cradle, rotate the the scope until the verticle crosshairs are parrallel to the the string, at the same time checking to see that it is parallel while the rifle is level. after you do this the scope rings are tightened down carefully, followed by a final check to see that it is still level and parallel after you tightened the rings.
Back to Top
CB900F View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: June/24/2006
Status: Offline
Points: 18
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CB900F Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/17/2006 at 15:54

Fella's;

 

Bill almost got it right.  Myself, I use two plumb bob strings, one to ensure the rifle is not leaning & the other for the verticle crosshair. 

 

The rifle's string runs down the buttpad & it's easy to align the  pad to it.  It really helps if you can place the target far enough out to make sure it's within the scope's ability to focus correctly on it.  I'm lucky in that I have a tree in the back yard that's out there at a good distance.  I just use a 1" dot on a paper plate & hang the plumb down the plate.  It's actually easier to align if the verticle stadia is offset about a half inch from the plumb string.  Black string, white plate, no problem.

 

900F

Our media makes sure the truth doesn't get free.
Back to Top
bill47 View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: December/16/2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 49
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bill47 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/17/2006 at 16:27

He said 'easy and cheap'!!!  Why double your cost by using 2 plumb bob strings?

I don't know about you but I doubt I hold the rifle perfectly vertical when I shoot.

So I hold the rifle the way I normally do and just use the string for the scope.

The scope may not be perfectly in line with the rifle, but it cancels out most of

the error in the way I hold the rifle.

Back to Top
Chris Farris View Drop Down
TEAM SWFA - Admin
TEAM SWFA - Admin
Avatar
swfa.com

Joined: October/01/2003
Location: Texas
Status: Offline
Points: 8024
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chris Farris Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/17/2006 at 16:51
Back to Top
Anthony View Drop Down
Optics Apprentice
Optics Apprentice
Avatar

Joined: June/01/2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 223
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Anthony Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/18/2006 at 00:46
I knew this was going to turn into a knife fight when I read the topic
Back to Top
muhgi View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: June/04/2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 27
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote muhgi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/18/2006 at 10:04
Bill47-

The purpose of leveling the scope isn't so that the crosshairs are vertical when you hold the rifle. The purpose is so that the crosshairs are vertical over the bore, so that when you adjust the crosshairs up and down (or aim above/below the horizonal crosshair) you are not inducing a change in windage at the same time.

-Tod
Back to Top
bill47 View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: December/16/2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 49
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bill47 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/18/2006 at 13:16

Ok, technically you are correct about wanting the crosshair over the bore.  There could be a change in windage if it's not.  But it would be so insignificant that I believe you won't notice it.  Try it both ways and see if your groups differ.

 

However, if the crosshair is is over the bore but the vertical crosshair is not plumb, the change in windage is much more significant.  Again, try it if you don't believe.

 

ps.  not into knives.  prefer to use a 9-iron

Back to Top
CB900F View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: June/24/2006
Status: Offline
Points: 18
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CB900F Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/18/2006 at 13:42

Bill;

 

Muhgi isn't technically correct.  He's correct, period.  I had it proven to me with groups, that's why I went to the second plumb line.  Which, by the way, is no major expense.  An empty .45 brass, a bit of cord knotted & drawn up to the flashhole & a drop of cement, seat the bullet & 'Oily-Voily' like they say in some frog-eatin' country, you've got another plumb line.

 

 Quite spendin' money on nine irons & other golf equipment & you wouldn't have to regard a plumb line as a major expense.

 

900F

 

Our media makes sure the truth doesn't get free.
Back to Top
muhgi View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: June/04/2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 27
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote muhgi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/18/2006 at 14:04
It looks like the tool Anthony suggested works best because it truly checks the scope alignment against the barrel. (It assumes of course that the hole in the barrel matches the exterior walls--I had one Lilja barrel sent back since the hole did not match.) As many scopes as I've mounted, $46 looks pretty cheap.

The method I learned (leveling the rifle receiver), assumes the barrel and receiver are true and really requires a vice. 900F's method assumes the barrel and stock are true.

I know the method I learned, and I assume 900F's from his comments, works "good enough" from 0 to 300 yards. If you shoot past that, I'd definately suggest the tool Anthony posted.

BTW, don't just assume that since a "professional" mounted your rifle that it was done correctly. Ask how they do it and see if they talk about aligning the vertical crosshair with some part of the rifle.

-Tod
Back to Top
hammer View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: April/26/2005
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 15
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote hammer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/18/2006 at 14:43

What about this?

 

While the rifle is in something secured place a target on a wall about 25 feet or so.Make sure it is level.This works on bolt actions only - take the bolt out and place a round in the chamber.The primer or center of shell should be the center of the bore.From a slight distance from the butt end of the gun, turn scope until the horizontal matches the target's horizontal and the vertical of the scope centers the primer or center of shell.

Back to Top
muhgi View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper


Joined: June/04/2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 27
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote muhgi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/18/2006 at 14:54
hammer-

Your suggestion would only work if you also level the target. So you are really just replacing the plumb line with a paper target. The bit with the primer is unnecessary at that point. (The lines are 90 degrees apart so if one is level with a line horizontal to line with the bore, the other is level with a line vertical to the bore.)

Lining up a plumb line through the scope is also a lot easier that matching with the primer--we're wanting more accuracy than most people can get from such an eyeball estimate. And since you have to level the target anyway....

-Tod
Back to Top
bill47 View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: December/16/2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 49
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bill47 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/18/2006 at 18:14

With your rifle secured and the bolt out:

 

1. hang a plumb on the wall instead of a target

2. site through bore to get it on the plumb

3. line up vertical on the plumb

 

Vertical should be lined up and over the bore.  If the horizontal is perpendicular to the vertical, it should be level.

Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 1.160 seconds.