Reticle Canted Despite Level Scope Body

[jpw1009]

Hello, first time posting on Rokslide.

Purchased this Trijicon AccuPoint 2.5-12.5x42mm this year and it has performed very well. Overall, no complaints. However, after mounting and remounting to confirm level, my eye cannot help but notice the reticle is slightly canted counter clockwise in the scope body. The attached photos show the scope itself is level, with a plumb line hanging on the wall, just to right of the reticle. When you look carefully, the vertical post of the reticle is slightly out of parallel, tilted in the counter-clockwise direction.

This topic is not often discussed, but after doing some research some have stated that due to manufacturing tolerances even quality scope manufacturers may produce reticles that are slightly canted by a degree or two. Have any of you experienced this with your optics, regardless of manufacturer? Am I too much of a perfectionist or should I be calling Trijicon to send it in and have it looked at?

Thanks in advance. Cheers!

 

[Macintosh]

It matters, so if it bugs you I’d do something about it. I would contact trijicon and at least see what they say. You can either level to the reticle itself, or ensure the reticle is plumb when the scope body is level, but if they take care of it for you thatd be easiest.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

For what it’s worth, your rifle doesn’t look level to me.

 

[Chris in TN]

For what it’s worth, your rifle doesn’t look level to me.

Same, and the crosshairs do not appear to line up with his wall level either.

I mean I could be wrong and I'm exactly the sort of person who will argue with a bubble level (which is the thing that convinced me that I needed one). But I'm not sure he has everything level either.

 

[Sacrvrrat72]

Level the reticle to gravity based on how you hold the rifle and be done with it.

 

[Quandary]

You “level “ your scope by leveling a reticle there is to much error in that. Use a level on the receiver and a barrel level to make sure the rifle is level. Then mount the scope . Put on something tripod, whatever, make sure the rifle is level using your barrel level as a guide. Then adjust the scope so that the vertical reticle line is perfectly level to your string. If your horizontal reticle line is not level then you know you have an out of line reticle. And yes the manufacturers have an acceptable tolerance which varies depending on the manufacturer

 

[bnewt3]

Send it back.

If you use the BDC, you are adding windage. You didnt pay for that "feature", you shouldnt have to accept it.

 

[jpw1009]

Same, and the crosshairs do not appear to line up with his wall level either.

I mean I could be wrong and I'm exactly the sort of person who will argue with a bubble level (which is the thing that convinced me that I needed one). But I'm not sure he has everything level either.

I leveled the action using the flat base of the Leupold backcountry ringmounts shown. It is difficult to find a flat spot on a Rem 700 action when not using a 1 piece picatinny scope base. How do you suggest leveling the action more precisely?

Regardless, if the rifle is canted that does not change the fact that the scope itself is level to the ground/gravity. Unless I am misunderstanding your reply, the fact that the reticle appears canted to the plumb line is the point of my post, suggesting there is a manufacturing defect.

 

[wapitibob]

I leveled the action using the flat base of the Leupold backcountry ringmounts shown. It is difficult to find a flat spot on a Rem 700 action when not using a 1 piece picatinny scope base. How do you suggest leveling the action more precisely?

Regardless, if the rifle is canted that does not change the fact that the scope itself is level to the ground/gravity. Unless I am misunderstanding your reply, the fact that the reticle appears canted to the plumb line is the point of my post, suggesting there is a manufacturing defect.

I would read their scope leveling instructions, and if they say to level off the turret assembly, send them the pics and see what they say.

 

[JGRaider]

Based on the fact that his scope is level, and it is via his pics, the reticle is canted, and it's not supposed to be that way. Call customer service and see what they have to say about it.

 

[bnewt3]

Did you confirm that the turret is parallel to the flat base of the housing? The flat base should be the best baseline point.

if they are not parallel, level the scope on the base somehow, put the level on the turret and turn it until the bubble reads level, hopefully there is a point where the turret is level too. THEN you can level off the turret in that position.

Also wapitibob has a point, at least read through Trijicon's instructions.

 

[Chris in TN]

Based on the fact that his scope is level, and it is via his pics, the reticle is canted, and it's not supposed to be that way. Call customer service and see what they have to say about it.

Crap. I didn’t even see that. I missed the first picture.

 

[Dave Thomas]

Level scope of of the flat on the bottom of scope. Turret tops are not always Level.

 

[Formidilosus]

Hello, first time posting on Rokslide.

Purchased this Trijicon AccuPoint 2.5-12.5x42mm this year and it has performed very well. Overall, no complaints. However, after mounting and remounting to confirm level, my eye cannot help but notice the reticle is slightly canted counter clockwise in the scope body. The attached photos show the scope itself is level, with a plumb line hanging on the wall, just to right of the reticle. When you look carefully, the vertical post of the reticle is slightly out of parallel, tilted in the counter-clockwise direction.

This topic is not often discussed, but after doing some research some have stated that due to manufacturing tolerances even quality scope manufacturers may produce reticles that are slightly canted by a degree or two. Have any of you experienced this with your optics, regardless of manufacturer? Am I too much of a perfectionist or should I be calling Trijicon to send it in and have it looked at?

Thanks in advance. Cheers!

View attachment 957804View attachment 957805

Levels as you have there are only within 1-2°. They are not perfect- you can line multiples up next to each other and they will vary all over the lines.

 

[RockAndSage]

OP, how did you level the rifle to begin with, before leveling the scope?

Separately, if you dial the turret, does it change "level"?

 

[Quandary]

I leveled the action using the flat base of the Leupold backcountry ringmounts shown. It is difficult to find a flat spot on a Rem 700 action when not using a 1 piece picatinny scope base. How do you suggest leveling the action more precisely?

Regardless, if the rifle is canted that does not change the fact that the scope itself is level to the ground/gravity. Unless I am misunderstanding your reply, the fact that the reticle appears canted to the plumb line is the point of my post, suggesting there is a manufacturing defect.

The turret cap is level. That doesn’t mean the scope is level.

 

[JGRaider]

All of this is why this device is a fool proof, no brainer way to mount a scope.

Parabola LLC

parabola-llc.com

 

[jpw1009]

Levels as you have there are only within 1-2°. They are not perfect- you can line multiples up next to each other and they will vary all over the lines.

Form, thanks for your reply. Understood. Do you recommend a more accurate level for scope mounting? Or should I just align the reticle to the plumb line and call it a day? Perhaps the reticle is not canted at all and the level is to blame?

 

[BLJ]

For what it’s worth, your rifle doesn’t look level to me.

I think the picture on the wall being crooked is throwing you off.

 

[jpw1009]

OP, how did you level the rifle to begin with, before leveling the scope?

Separately, if you dial the turret, does it change "level"?

The rifle was leveled using the flat bases on the Leupold backcountry ringmounts. I am not running a 1 piece picatinny base, so that was the flattest place I could find. I hear some try leveling the action using the raceways inside the action.

I still need to conduct a proper tall target test on the range to check if it is tracking in relation to the turrets or the reticle. It is too hard to tell whether it tracks right when dialing in comparison to a string 10ft away.