Reticle Leveling on Rifle Scope

[MaverickNH]

I have a Savage 17hmr 93R17BTVS and am mounting a BSA Sweet 17 Series 3-12X40 RGB scope on the supplied Weaver bases. The bell-to-bell distance is rather narrow, so I had to buy narrow rings so that the rings didn't sit over the tube/bell junction. Bass Pro (Hooksett, NH) had some 1" high Warne vertical rings in stock, so I bought them.

To level a scope, typically, I'll use a Wheeler barrel clamp level or bolt raceway level with a turret-cap level, but there is no exposed bolt raceway in the rifle and the turret-cap isn't level on this cheaper scope. And with these vertical rings, there is no scope base exposed or bottom half of the rings exposed to level the rifle before leveling the scope.

I put a Laserlyte bore sight in the muzzle and hung a plumbline 10yd away, and focused the laser red dot on the plumb line and ran the scope knobs until the crosshair was high but centered on the plumbline. Then I rotated the scope until the vertical reticle line was in line with the plumbline and tightened the ring bolts. I then did a standard laser bore sighting adjustment at 25yd to approximate POA to POI - I'll adjust properly at the range later.

My question is: was the plumbline method I used above correct to minimize misalignment of the bore & scope?

 

[highlander]

When I started to read the thread I thought hang a plumb line and adjust from there,so I say you did the right thing.

 

[Fixxah]

I just eyeball mine and that's it, but would wager that they are all on the money. I like the plumb line deal though.

 

[mac1911]

It's amazing how well the eye can level things. For me I find it odd to use so much effort for a some what inexpensive set up. Or you set everything up on a bench all nice a plumb square level then go prone and your natural hold cants the hole mess this way and that.

Sounds like you did well with your method. The proof is in the shots down range

 

[yanici]

I set up on the dining room table and sight through my window to the window frames of the guy across the street. Works perfectly so his windows must be in right. I level my rifle first in a gun vise then leave the scope loosey goosey 'til it's all right on. Gotta slide it front & back too to get the eyeball distance right too.