Getting your rifle and scope to work together perfectly starts with a proper setup. The most critical step in that process is learning how to level a scope on rifle. If your scope isn’t level with your rifle’s action, your adjustments won’t be true, leading to frustrating misses at longer distances.
This guide will walk you through the simple tools and reliable methods to get your scope mounted correctly. A level scope ensures that when you dial for windage or elevation, your point of impact moves precisely where you intend it to. Let’s get your equipment set up for success.
How to Level a Scope on Rifle
Before you begin, gather your tools. You don’t need expensive equipment, but a few key items will make the job much easier. You’ll need a set of gunsmithing screwdrivers or bits to fit your scope base and ring screws, a torque wrench (highly recommended), and leveling tools. For leveling, options include a set of crosshairs leveling kits, a simple bubble level that sits on the flat part of your scope’s turret cap, or even two small bubble levels.
First, ensure your rifle is solidly supported. Use a gun vise if you have one, or rest the fore-end and buttstock on sandbags on a stable workbench. The rifle must not rock or move during the process.
Step 1: Mount the Base and Level the Rifle
Start by mounting your scope base or rail to the rifle’s receiver if it isn’t already. Tighten it to the manufacturer’s specified torque. Next, you need to level the rifle itself in the vise. Place a small bubble level in the action’s ejection port, across the flat machined surfaces, or on a known-level section of the rail. Shim your vise or sandbags until the rifle is perfectly level side-to-side. This is your foundation—if the rifle isn’t level, nothing else will be.
Step 2: Install the Bottom Rings
Place the bottom halves of your scope rings onto the base. Don’t fully tighten them yet; just snug them enough so they stay in place but can be adjusted. This allows you to position the scope for proper eye relief later on.
Step 3: Set the Scope and Set Eye Relief
Now, place your scope into the bottom rings. Before worrying about level, set your eye relief. Shoulder the rifle (carefully, ensuring it’s clear) in your normal shooting position. Move the scope forward or backward until you get a full, clear field of view without any black shadowing around the edges. This is the distance that works for you. Have a friend mark the position with a pencil or just hold it steady.
Step 4: The Leveling Process
Here is the core of how to level a scope on rifle. With the scope positioned for eye relief, you now need to level the reticle to the rifle.
Method A: Using a Plumb Line. Hang a weighted string about 10-15 feet away in good light. Position your leveled rifle so the string is centered in your bore’s line of sight (look down the barrel, with the firearm safely cleared and pointed in a safe direction, to roughly center it). Then, looking through the scope, adjust the scope in the rings until the vertical crosshair perfectly aligns with the string. This method is very accurate.
* Method B: Using Two Levels. Place one small bubble level on a flat part of your scope’s windage turret or on the tube itself, just ahead of the turret. Place your second level on the rifle’s rail or action. Gently rotate the scope in the rings until both bubbles show level at the same time. Avoid putting pressure on the scope with your hands, as this can tilt the level.
Step 5: Final Tightening Sequence
This is where patience pays off. Once the reticle is level, begin tightening the ring screws. Follow a criss-cross pattern, like tightening a car lug nut, to apply even pressure. Snug them gradually in stages. If you have a torque wrench, use it to tighten to the ring manufacturer’s specification (usually 15-25 inch-pounds). Overtightening can crush the scope tube. As you tighten, constantly check your leveling tool to ensure the scope isn’t rotating under pressure. It’s easy to introduce a cant at this stage.
Step 6: Final Verification
After everything is torqued, do a final check. Look through the scope and rock your head slightly up and down and side to side. Your reticle should not appear to move against a stationary target or your plumb line. If it does, that indicates parallax error, which is an optic adjustment, not a level issue. Re-check your levels on the scope and rifle one last time to confirm they are still aligned.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Everyone makes mistakes, but knowing the common ones can help you avoid them. First, never level the scope to the gun’s stock. Stocks are not always perfectly aligned with the action. Always use the rifle’s machined metal surfaces. Second, don’t rely on “feel” or how the scope looks against the barrel. Your eyes can decieve you. Third, skipping the torque wrench can lead to loose screws or damaged equipment. It’s a worthwile investment.
Why a Level Scope Matters So Much
You might wonder if a slight cant really affects your shot. At 100 yards, a minor tilt might not be noticeable. But at 500 yards or more, a canted scope causes significant error. When you dial elevation, the point of impact will drift sideways because your adjustments are no longer purely vertical. This makes long-range shooting consistency nearly impossible. A level scope gives you a true vertical and horizontal reference for the world around you.
Tools That Make the Job Easier
While you can manage with basic tools, a few products help immensely. A dedicated scope leveling kit with alignment bars that sit in the scope rings takes the guesswork out. A quality torque wrench with bits sized for your screws protects your gear. And a solid gun vise is perhaps the most underrated tool, as it holds everything steady while you work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my rifle scope is level?
The best way is to use a plumb line or a known vertical edge at a distance. With the rifle solidly supported, look through the scope. The vertical crosshair should align perfectly with the straight vertical line. Any deviation means the scope is canted.
What is the easiest way to level a rifle scope?
For most people, using a dual-bubble level system is the simplest method. One level on the rifle’s action and one on the flat top of the scope’s elevation turret. You simply rotate the scope until both bubbles are centered. It’s quick and effective, though the plumb line method is often considered more precise.
Can you level a scope without levels?
You can attempt it using a visual plumb line method without bubble levels, but you still need a way to level the rifle itself. You can use a phone app level on the rifle’s rail, though it’s less ideal. The plumb line method alone ensures the reticle is vertical, but if your rifle is tilted, your vertical is now relative to that tilt, not true gravity.
How important is scope leveling for hunting?
For most typical big-game hunting shots under 300 yards, a small amount of cant is unlikely to cause a clean miss. However, for ethical shooting and confidence, especially when taking a longer shot, a level scope is important. It eliminates one major variable and ensures your point of impact is where you expect it to be.
Getting your scope level is a fundamental skill that pays off every time you pull the trigger. By taking your time, using the right tools, and following these steps, you’ll create a solid foundation for accurate shooting. Remember, consistency in your setup leads to consistency downrange. Now that your optic is properly aligned, you can move on to zeroing your rifle with confidence, knowing your adjustments will be true.