leveling scopes

[Dave in WV]

I'm not expert on scopes or mounting them. I have done a few for myself. I like the recticle plumb with the bore axis. I found my small level with a magnet on one side is perfect for the job. I placed it on the side of the receiver and it makes getting the rifle plumb easier than my bolt rifles. I use a black boot lace for a plumb bob to align the scope. I just thought I'd pass this on FYI. It may help for mounting a scope on a lever, self loader, or pump with a receiver with flat sides.
Dave

[longwinters]

Dave,

I have seen several boresighting jobs from "professionals" who sell scopes and the scopes are so cocked that it is ridiculous.  I have tried mounting my own with a level etc... and it has worked well on some rifles but not others.  The main thing seems to be making sure the rifle itself is level.  Then it is relatively easy to make sure the scope is level also.  I would like to hear more ideas about how guys level their rifles and complete the process.  Illustrations/pics would be helpful also.

Long

[quickdtoo]

One method that I have used if the lower half of the rings lends itself to it, is to place a level across the top of the lower half of the ring to level the rifle to make sure it is in plumb, then mount the scope without moving the rifle. Then I used a vertical plumb line 10yds away to make sure the scope is plumb with the vertical cross hair against the plumb line. I've also used a short plumb line to line up the screw heads in vertical plumb on the recoil pad to make sure the rifle is held true to plumb.   Tim

[rickyp]

I have a vice  that I know sits level. I put the gun in the vice so it touches the bottom and carefully close it on the gun.  I then use a weighted string hanging from the ceiling on the other side of the room  to align the scope with it. the  I use my bore sighter to "get it on paper"