Mounting a Rifle Scope

[JW@TRACT]

Happy May, everyone. How do you guys go about getting a rifle scope mounted? DIY? Take it to your local gun shop? What is your go-to mount? And lastly, do you have a preferred bore sighting method?

I'm looking to put a new scope on a Bergara B-14 for the upcoming elk and mule deer seasons and just want to see best/efficient options. With ammo prices and availability, I'd rather not shoot two boxes on the range getting it sighted in.

As always, appreciate the feedback.

 

[Bland316]

I just sighted one in yesterday. I shoot at 40 yards. If it hits paper I move the scope and shoot again at 40 yards. If it's dead on I move to 100 and zero it out. I sighted in my scope in about 7 shots. I keep it pretty simple.

As far as mounting the scope I just do it myself. It's pretty easy. Just make sure you torque the screws to the specs on the mounts/scope.

 

[wind gypsy]

You can't know a scope is set up properly by someone else unless you are physically present or give them the exact location the scope needs to be mounted. No way would I trust someone else to correctly mount my scope unless it was someone I personally know and I told them where to mount it for eye relief.

Edit to add: scopes come with mounting and zeroing instructions. You should follow those instructions to make sure you have your eye relief and diopter set properly for your eyes. A lot of scopes have a zero stop setup process that isn't overly intuitive as well so its worth while to reference the instructions.

1. Mount scope for optimal eye relief and with reticle plumb.
2. Pull bolt. At 50 yards on a bench with bipod and solid rear bag, adjust rifle/bipod/bag until you the bore appears to be aiming at center of your target or whatever easy to see point of aim you choose.
3. Adjust scope so crosshairs POA matches Bore POA. Make sure to look back and forth between the two in case the rifle moves during the process
4. Once reticle and bore aim match, shoot 1 round.
5. Adjust scope to correct for where your round hit
6. Move to 100 yards and shoot a round
7. Correct scope for where your round hit at 100 yards and then shoot a group to verify zero.
8. Make any adjustments based upon center of 100 yard group and verify

If you have a scope that functions correctly and a fairly accurate rifle, there's no reason you should need a box of ammo to get zeroed. With very accurate rifles it takes very little. If you have a big enough target you can bore-site at 100, shoot one round, adjust scope, shoot group, and bam - zero confirmed.

Mounts depend on rifle. My tikkas wear sportsmatch rings. Everything else is a pic rail with good rings or uni mount like spuhr, MPA, etc.

 

[gcronin]

Happy May, everyone. How do you guys go about getting a rifle scope mounted? DIY? Take it to your local gun shop? What is your go-to mount? And lastly, do you have a preferred bore sighting method?

I'm looking to put a new scope on a Bergara B-14 for the upcoming elk and mule deer seasons and just want to see best/efficient options. With ammo prices and availability, I'd rather not shoot two boxes on the range getting it sighted in.

As always, appreciate the feedback.

You may find this video super helpful:

If you have all the tools needed to do this at home it really is pretty simple. If you do not, I would recommend taking it to an experienced gun smith to have them mount it for you.

If you have any questions, please let me know!

 

[Lionhound1975]

Agree with the above posts. Remove bolt, look down the barrel at a target then adjust the scope to get a rough idea on paper. If you are zeroing for a 100 yards shoot 1 round at 25 and 1 round at 50 to make sure you are somewhere on the paper. If you are off paper at 100 then you will waste some rounds getting back.

Depending on the reticle you can zero a new scope setup very quickly. Last week I mounted a mil-dot scope with MIL clicks to a new CZ rifle and had it zero'd within 10 rounds by shooting 1 at 25, 1 at 50, 3 rounds at 100 on paper, then using my scope reticle to measure how many MILS to come down and over, 2 rounds to check corrections, then 3 rounds to confirm.

It is a good thing to do yourself as it helps you become familiar with your weapon and optic. Use a level bubble or plumb to make sure your scope is not canted and use a torque wrench to the recommended specs for the rings and base screws.

 

[Themic86]

Post 3 is about what I do about to the T. Usually if bore centered in the target picture then I have been within 2” of bullseye a few times.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[flyinsquirel]

Wind gave some good advice, this is a good read as well.

Scope mounting to maintain zero

After multiple requests for an explanation of how to mount a scope in order to have the lowest possibility of loss of zero, a discussion of a scope mounting video, and the latest thread about scope bases and action screw coming loose, I took some pics of what I do with a rifle when I get it and...

www.rokslide.com

Fastest zero I ever had was with my first scope that actually tracked; an SWFA 3-9. Had a good boresight and was on at 100 in 2 shots. Fired a group to confirm and done.

 

[BCD]

You may find this video super helpful:

If you have all the tools needed to do this at home it really is pretty simple. If you do not, I would recommend taking it to an experienced gun smith to have them mount it for you.

If you have any questions, please let me know!

Does anyone know what rifle level he is using in the video?

 

[GMB54-120]

Oops misread the question

 

[gcronin]

Does anyone know what rifle level he is using in the video?

That is an "All Purpose Gun Level" from CTK Precision: https://www.ctkprecision.com/all-purpose-gun-level.aspx

 

[BCD]

That is an "All Purpose Gun Level" from CTK Precision: https://www.ctkprecision.com/all-purpose-gun-level.aspx

Thank You!

 

[JohnJohnson]

Basically what post #3 said except also making sure the crosshairs are level using a plumb, since quite frankly I don't trust levels for that purpose. Using ARC rings makes this pretty idiot-proof because the scope doesn't move when I torque the rings down.

 

[Gila]

If you ever have the misfortune of tapping a screw out of a receiver, you will never let anyone touch your rifle again....

I am on my 5th scope mount now....sticking to steel Burris rings. I think aluminum is too soft for heavy hitting cartridges, but some swear by aluminum bases and rings. Each to his own. If it ain’t broke why fix it is my motto. I suggest getting one of the Wheeler scope mounting kits. If you are going to mount more than one scope, the Ultra Kit is well worth the money. You will need a good fat wrench and levels anyway.

 

[JW@TRACT]

Great tips/advice. Thank you all.

 

[Trees91]

Scope mounting to maintain zero

After multiple requests for an explanation of how to mount a scope in order to have the lowest possibility of loss of zero, a discussion of a scope mounting video, and the latest thread about scope bases and action screw coming loose, I took some pics of what I do with a rifle when I get it and...

www.rokslide.com

This....do what Form does. Since I've followed these instructions I've never had a scope mounting issue.
Also....bore sighting through the bore is fast and easy....best of all no tools or gimmicky lasers.

 

[Bluumoon]

Scope mounting to maintain zero

After multiple requests for an explanation of how to mount a scope in order to have the lowest possibility of loss of zero, a discussion of a scope mounting video, and the latest thread about scope bases and action screw coming loose, I took some pics of what I do with a rifle when I get it and...

www.rokslide.com

This....do what Form does. Since I've followed these instructions I've never had a scope mounting issue.
Also....bore sighting through the bore is fast and easy....best of all no tools or gimmicky lasers.

This... Had a huge POI shift last year, thinking it was probably more of a scope issue, but started from the bottom up. The Barrett now has some bright red nail polish accents...