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SS 10x42 Leveling

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Newton View Drop Down
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    Posted: November/10/2020 at 08:34
So I have a SS 10x42 mounted on a Ruger Precision in 6mm Creedmoor that I am using to just target shoot out to 1200 yards.

This is my first "precision" gun, and the only one I have ever thought about taking the time to get everything lined up for the most accuracy.  Usually I just mount a scope on a rifle, make sure the reticle is pretty much in line so it does not look crooked, and then go shoot.

After realizing that rifle cant will really play havoc on long distance shots I figured I might need to level the scope correctly so I can take full advantage of it.

I've researched all the different ways of doing it and the one that makes the most sense to me is to level the gun in a vise, and then level the scope using the underneath side of it.  On the SS scopes they have somewhat of a rounded bottom though and I am not sure if this method is the best.

I saw where someone used a flashlight to shine the reticle on a piece of paper, then use a plum bob to set the reticle vertically, but I can see where this may be an issue if the reticle itself is at a slight cant inside the erector tube.  

I would imagine that there is a allowance for some cant of the reticle, which if it was at the upper limit could throw off any turret adjustments at the longer ranges.

So what is the best way to level the SS scopes relative to the elevation turret?  Does the bottom have enough flat area, or would it be best to take the turret cap off and use the top?  I guess it would have to be milled perfectly flat for that way to work.

Has anyone found the absolute best way of doing it?
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Rancid Coolaid View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/10/2020 at 14:42
This is a Ford vs Chevy topic, just FYI.

I have used the bottom of the scope method with feeler gauges, but if the bottom of the scope isn't flat, it won't work.

The generally accepted "best" method, in my experience, has been the immobilized and leveled gun, and a plumb line at least 50 yards away.  If the reticle is canted in the tube, you'll know.  Also, on that scope, I'd put a level on the elevation turret too, just to be safe.  The SS scopes are known for their precision and accuracy, so there is a low probability for an alignment issue, but it is a non-zero probability.

The next part is getting the cant out of your rifle setup when shooting.  Most shooters naturally cant the rifle a little, and that is indeed more an issue as range increases.
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Newton View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Newton Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/12/2020 at 06:36
Originally posted by Rancid Coolaid Rancid Coolaid wrote:

This is a Ford vs Chevy topic, just FYI.

I have used the bottom of the scope method with feeler gauges, but if the bottom of the scope isn't flat, it won't work.

The generally accepted "best" method, in my experience, has been the immobilized and leveled gun, and a plumb line at least 50 yards away.  If the reticle is canted in the tube, you'll know.  Also, on that scope, I'd put a level on the elevation turret too, just to be safe.  The SS scopes are known for their precision and accuracy, so there is a low probability for an alignment issue, but it is a non-zero probability.

The next part is getting the cant out of your rifle setup when shooting.  Most shooters naturally cant the rifle a little, and that is indeed more an issue as range increases.

Thanks.  I know that everyone has their own way of leveling(ford/chevy), but I figured there has to be more correct way than not.

Main concern is if the reticle is indeed canted a bit.  I got to thinking about it though, and I figured I can do like you say and level the rifle, then hang a plumb line, and then run the elevation turret up and down it.  

Once I get it tracking straight up and down then I can know for absolute that the reticle is tracking on the vertical in the most precise way.

I have a scope level for the scope also, so once I know everything is set correct I will set it level.  Then in the field I can just make sure its level even if the reticle does not look level(if it is indeed canted at all).

Thanks again!
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supertool73 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/12/2020 at 07:19
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/12/2020 at 19:34
The Wheeler kit is great, and works in most cases(I have never found a SWFA SS scope that had a misaligned reticle), but I also ALWAYS perform a final alignment with a plumb line.  I do not use the flashlight through the scope method, but generally check several distances... 10 yards, 25yards, 50yards.  If I'm in a hurry, I just use 25yards... works for me...
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