Mounting Question - cross hair alignment

[tofuti]

All,

Every time I mount a scope (all 2 times) when I break out a level and use it to get the scope itself mounted level to the receiver, when I look through the cross hairs it SEEMs canted to me (probably because of some peculiarity in the way the rifles fit me comfortably) . This bothers me so I end up tweaking the scope so that when I shoulder the rifle, the crosshairs seem level to me.

My feeling is that this is OK provided I line up the cross hairs on the tgt the same every time (and the tgts I shoot have small lines that I used to do this).

Am I off the mark here? I can see this being a problem if shot to shot the crosshairs are not lined up on the tgt the same, but I do try to line them up consistently every time.

[GW]

I would think that your bullet leaves the barrel at a cant equal to the can't of your scope. At short ranges that probably won't matter much, but if yoe decide to try longer ranges then you will start to se POI start. To differ from your POA .

[Paul_R]

If you're just using "Kentucky windage and elevation" you probably won't notice anything. If you try to use your windage and elevation adjustments, or reticle holdovers, it will be all kinds of crazy if everything isn't plumb and level.

[smoothy8500]

All,

This bothers me so I end up tweaking the scope so that when I shoulder the rifle, the crosshairs seem level to me.

You are correct. Maintaining a level/plumb reticle is important to reduce the effect cant has when elevation is applied on the scope.

There was a training video on Snipersh_de showing that maintaining a level/plumb reticle on a purposely canted rifle had minimal effect.

[tofuti]

If you're just using "Kentucky windage and elevation" you probably won't notice anything. If you try to use your windage and elevation adjustments, or reticle holdovers, it will be all kinds of crazy if everything isn't plumb and level.

Gotcha. All I do is zero to 50 yards and shoot at 50 yards. Never changes. But I do see the point about what happens with changes in distance.

[Matt P]

As long as you shoot the rifle with the same body parts making contact you dont need a plumb\level retical.
The issue can become when u rest the rifle or change its method of stability...body, bi pod, bags or whatever else.
I use a heavy weight out off on the side of my target on a string. It just hangs a couple inches away from the frame. There is my up and down level or vertical. I have purchased many of the B square action bubbles that slide onto scope bases.
Insure my action is level and level my scope to the plumb line.
I leave the bubble level on my rifle. I typically have it off the left side of the action since I am right eye dominant. I can actually look through my glass and while still looking, do a quick peek with my left eye at my bubble level.
Consistence is the key to what you would interpret as accuracy.
Shooting should be immensely enjoyable. The easier it is to achieve a desired affect with shot placement the more satisfying.

You would be surprised without the bubble level what you may consider to be level. Many times I have benched a rifle in what feels like a properly orientated rectical vertically only to check my bubble and see I’m actually canting.
Just the addition of this simple device has improved my consistency considerably:

B Square Bubble Level-$12.00-Press Me

[67Cuda]

I just make sure the cross hairs are level to the rifle. If I look thought the scope and they are canted, then I know it's me and that's OK.

[Horrendo Revolver]

A number of serious shooters do not level the scope with the rifle. Instead they level the scope with gravity. So you are correct OP. When most of us mount a rifle in the most comfortable position, the rifle is not level.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/archive/index.php/t-989445.html

[mtenenhaus]

i level the rifle, level the scope then i check against a plumb line set up at the distance i hope to zero at. I think that works pretty well.

[smoothy8500]

i level the rifle, level the scope then i check against a plumb line set up at the distance i hope to zero at. I think that works pretty well.

So when you put the stock in the shoulder pocket and check your NPA it's always level, or do you have to re-adjust?

[HK Dave]