Scope mounting tools

[AyeGuy]

I've got a scope to mount and need advice on tools needed, such as a torque wrench, scope level, etc., what are the good brands/products?

[ZombieLivesMatter]

I’m sure you’ll get lots of suggestions but the two things I learned the hard way is to utilize a torque wrench which you mentioned already, and starting right off the bat with a good quality precision matched scope rings.

[mtenenhaus]

i used to use a bunch of different tools...i tried a stack of cards under the flat part of the scope, i tried a bunch of bubble levels, i tried using a hex key wrench under the flat part of the scope and slowly rotated the wrench to find level, i even tried a battery powered laser bore sighter......they all worked but truthfully i wasted a lot of money and effort.

nowadays my preferred method that has been awesome and very reproducible employs only an appropriate torque wrench and a plumb line and a paper target.

I hang the plumb line on a target 50 yards away or so...basically a several foot long string with a weight on the end of it. a dark string on a light background target works well for my old eyes

i shoot mostly prone so i set the sight rings to a good position that will still allow me to use the bolt comfortably without hitting the turrets. I keep the rings a bit loose so i can safely and easily move and rotate the scope as needed.

i move the scope forward or rearward till i have a great symmetric and complete view through the scope while confirming that i'm set up very comfortably and without stress or strain behind the rifle in my preferred prone position.

i sight the rifle looking through the bore without the bolt and try to coincide the sight picture through the scope with what i see through the bore

I then reinsert the bolt into the receiver

i then align the reticle to the plumb line as viewed through the scope. I do this by gently rotating the scope till my reticle perfectly overlaps the plumb line...and finally torque the scope rings down to the manufacturer specifications

to zero the rifle, i can usually do this in 3 to 4 shots maximum.

what i do is to set the target at the distance i choose to zero at...let's say 100 yards. i shoot one shot at the bullseye with the rifle mounted very steady and secure on rifle bags. then without moving the rifle or scope at all....i carefully adjust the turrets so that the reticle moves to the point of impact (the hole you made) on the target. if i didn't move the rifle at all, that's often all it takes. I must admit i usually take another shot or two to confirm. sure beats what i used to do where i would often blow through 10-20 rounds.

[67Cuda]

need advice on tools needed

My tools of choice are my eye ball, and a torx or allen wrench, which ever is needed.

[MissiontoMars]

I've got a scope to mount and need advice on tools needed, such as a torque wrench, scope level, etc., what are the good brands/products?

wheeler has some good deals online for their fat wrench torque wrench and their scope mounting kit.

I see the former for about $50, and the later for $80'ish. Those are the two I'd go with.

[AyeGuy]

Thanks guys.

[smoothy8500]

Midway has the Wheeler FAT screwdriver "kit" on sale for around $34

https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/1007367010?pid=718023&utm_medium=shopping&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Gunsmithing+-+Tools%2C+Jigs+%26+Fixtures&utm_content=718023&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-r71BRDuARIsAB7i_QPBKlcgEipBSP_gdYvjgIUUDi1qjdsIdKyVe-2xN3OnEeAzqGfDQ94aArb5EALw_wcB

[PaperTarget]

Use a quality hex. Not ball-drivers for your torque wrench.

Use a torque wrench where the torque values you expect are in the middle of the torque wrench's operating range. In other words, don't use a 20-80 in-lb wrench if you need 15-20 in-lbs.

Do not use T handles drivers because they can overtorque.

Mountz tools are more quality and price than you need. Wera might work.

[ExtremeX]

Aside from using decent bits, this tool has worked out well for me. I prefer it over the clicker type for these small values.

https://www.parktool.com/product/torque-wrench-tw-1

[SanDiego619]

Wheeler FAT is +/- 5% I use it for scopes.