Getting your shots to hit exactly where you aim starts with a solid foundation. Learning how to properly mount a rifle scope is the single most important step to achieving accuracy. A poorly mounted scope, no matter how expensive, will lead to frustration, wasted ammunition, and inconsistent results. This guide will walk you through the entire process, ensuring your scope is mounted correctly for reliable performance.
You’ll need a few tools and components before you begin. First, you must have a set of scope rings and a base (or a one-piece mount) that fits your specific rifle’s mounting system. A quality torque wrench with inch-pound settings is non-negotiable for proper installation. You’ll also need a gun vise or a steady rest, bubble levels, and the appropriate screwdrivers or hex keys.
How to Properly Mount a Rifle Scope
Follow these steps in order for the best results. Rushing or skipping steps is a common mistake that leads to problems down the line.
Step 1: Prepare the Rifle and Mounting Surface
Start by ensuring your rifle is completely unloaded. Remove the bolt if possible to make the rifle safer and easier to handle. Mount the base or one-piece mount to the rifle’s receiver using the provided screws. Apply a small drop of blue (removable) thread-locker to the screw threads. Use your torque wrench to tighten the screws to the manufacturer’s specification, which is usually between 15-30 inch-pounds. This creates a solid foundation for everything else.
Step 2: Install the Bottom Rings
Attach the bottom halves of the scope rings to the base. Don’t tighten them all the way yet—just snug them enough so they stay in place but can still slide. This allows you to adjust the fore-aft position of the scope later. If your rings are a matched set, make sure you have the front and rear correctly oriented.
Step 3: Level the Rifle
Place your rifle securely in the gun vise. Use a bubble level on a flat part of the rifle, like the receiver rail or the flat top of the ejection port, to get the rifle perfectly level. Once the rifle is level, lock it securely in the vise. This step is crucial for ensuring your crosshairs are not canted, which can cause horizontal drift at longer ranges.
Step 4: Set the Eye Relief and Position the Scope
Eye relief is the distance between your eye and the scope’s ocular lens for a full sight picture. To find it, shoulder the rifle naturally with your eyes closed. When you open your eyes, you should see the full field of view without any dark shadowing. Adjust the scope forward or backward in the loose rings until you achieve this. A good starting point is usually about 3-4 inches of eye relief for most riflescopes.
Step 5: Level the Scope
This is the most critical step for precision. Place a small bubble level on a flat surface of the scope’s turret cap or on the elevation adjustment turret. Some shooter prefer to use a plumb line or a leveling system that attaches to the scope. Carefully rotate the scope in the rings until the crosshairs are visually aligned with a plumb line and the level on the scope reads true. The rifle itself must remain level during this entire process.
Step 6: Secure the Scope Rings
Begin tightening the ring screws gradually and in a crisscross pattern, just like tightening a car tire lug nut. This applies even pressure and prevents distorting the scope tube. Tighten them incrementally until they are snug, but do not apply final torque yet. Double-check that the scope hasn’t rotated out of level during this initial tightening.
Step 7: Apply Final Torque
Using your inch-pound torque wrench, tighten the ring cap screws to the manufacturer’s recommended specification. This is often between 15-18 inch-pounds for aluminum rings, but always check your ring’s manual. Use the crisscross pattern again. Overtightening is a common error that can crush the scope tube or damage the internal mechanisms.
Step 8: Bore Sighting and Final Zeroing
Bore sighting gets you on paper and saves ammunition. You can use a laser bore sighter or a visual method: secure the rifle, remove the bolt, and look directly down the bore at a target 25 yards away. Adjust the rifle until the target is centered in the bore. Without moving the rifle, adjust the scope’s windage and elevation turrets until the crosshairs are centered on that same target. Finally, take your rifle to the range and zero it properly with live fire at your desired distance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
* Overtightening screws: This is the number one cause of damaged scopes. Always use a torque wrench.
* Ignoring leveling: A canted scope causes missed shots that you’ll blame on wind or yourself.
* Incorrect ring height: Rings that are too low can cause the scope to touch the barrel or poor cheek weld; too high leads to a inconsistent head position.
* Poor eye relief: This can lead to “scope eye” (a cut from the scope hitting you during recoil) or a bad sight picture.
Maintaining Your Mounted Scope
Periodically check the tightness of your base and ring screws, especially after the first few range trips. Vibrations can cause them to loosen slightly. Keep the lenses clean with a proper lens pen or cloth. And always store your rifle in a case or safe to protect the scope from knocks and bumps.
FAQ
How much does it cost to get a scope mounted?
A professional gunsmith typically charges between $50 and $100 to mount and bore sight a scope. Investing in your own tools and learning the skill pays off after a few installations.
What tools do I need to mount a rifle scope at home?
The essential tools are a quality torque wrench (inch-lbs), a set of screwdrivers or hex bits that fit perfectly, a gun vise, and two bubble levels. Having a plumb line setup is also very helpful for leveling.
Can I use Loctite on scope mount screws?
Yes, but only use blue (242) Loctite, which is removable. Never use red (permanent) thread-locker on scope mounts. A small drop on the screw threads is sufficient to prevent vibration from loosening them.
Why is my scope still not accurate after mounting and zeroing?
If you’ve confirmed your zero but shots are inconsistent, re-check all mount and ring screws for tightness. Ensure the scope itself is not defective. Also, consider that the problem might be with your shooting fundamentals, the ammunition, or the rifle’s bedding.
How often should I check the tightness of my scope mounts?
It’s a good habit to check them before any important hunting trip or competition, and after the first 50-100 rounds following a new mounting. After that, a seasonal check is usually adequate unless the rifle suffers a hard impact.
Taking the time to learn how to properly mount a rifle scope is a fundamental skill for any shooter. While it requires patience and attention to detail, the reward is a rifle that performs consistently and accurately. With the right tools and by following these steps carefully, you can confidently install your own optics and hit your target with confidence.