Getting your rifle scope perfectly level is one of the most important steps in long-range accuracy. If your scope is canted, even slightly, your shots will drift unpredictably as distance increases. This guide will show you how to level a rifle scope correctly, ensuring your crosshairs are true and your adjustments are reliable.
A level scope means your vertical crosshair is perfectly plumb with the world. When you dial for windage or elevation, the bullet will impact exactly where you intend, not off to the side. It’s a fundamental skill for hunters and precision shooters alike.
How to Level a Rifle Scope
You don’t need expensive tools to do this job right, but you do need patience. The basic principle is to create two separate reference lines—one on your rifle and one on your scope—and then align them during installation. Here’s what you’ll need to get started.
Essential Tools & Equipment:
* A solid gun vise or rifle rest.
* A set of precision screwdrivers or torque driver for your scope rings.
* A small bubble level (a Wheeler leveling kit is popular).
* A set of feeler gauges or a specialized leveling tool.
* Some cleaning supplies for the mounting surfaces.
Preparing Your Rifle and Workspace
First, ensure your rifle is unloaded and the action is open. Safety is always the priority. Mount your rifle securely in the vise, but don’t clamp it so tight that you damage the stock. It should be rock-solid without any wobble.
Clean all the mounting surfaces. That means the top of the rifle’s receiver, the base of your scope rings, and the bottom of the scope tube. Any debris or grease here can cause the scope to shift under recoil, throwing off your careful leveling work. A little rubbing alcohol on a cloth works great.
Step-by-Step Leveling Procedure
Follow these steps in order for the best results. Rushing will only lead to mistakes.
1. Level the Rifle Itself.
This is your foundational reference. Place a small bubble level across the flat section of your rifle’s receiver, just behind the scope base. Avoid putting it on the barrel, as barrels are not always perfectly true. Adjust the rifle in the vise until the bubble is centered. The rifle is now level relative to the ground.
2. Install the Scope Rings (Bottom Halves).
Place the bottom halves of your scope rings onto the rifle’s base or rail. Hand-tighten the screws just enough to hold them in place, but leave them loose enough to adjust. Make sure they are aligned properly and not binding.
3. Set the Scope in the Rings.
Gently place your scope into the bottom halves of the rings. Before you tighten anything, you need to set the eye relief. Move the scope forward or backward until you have a full, clear field of view with no black shadowing when you shoulder the rifle naturally. This is a critical step for comfort and speed.
4. Create a Vertical Reference on the Scope.
This is the key to how to level a rifle scope. Hang a weighted plumb line (a string with a heavy weight) about 10-15 feet away on a wall. In a pinch, you can use the vertical edge of a door frame if you know it’s true. Now, look through the scope and adjust the rifle in the vise until the vertical crosshair aligns perfectly with the plumb line. The rifle is now level and the crosshair is visually aligned to a true vertical.
5. Use a Leveling Tool on the Scope.
While maintaining that alignment, place a small bubble level on the flat part of the scope’s elevation turret cap (this is usually the most reliable spot). Carefully rotate the scope in the rings only until the bubble on the scope level is centered. You now have two verified reference points: the plumb line and the bubble level.
6. The Feeler Gauge Check (Optional but Recommended).
To double-check, you can use a set of feeler gauges. Slide the gauges between the flat bottom of the scope’s front bell and the front ring. Use equal thicknesses on each side. If the scope is level, the gauges should slide in with the same slight resistance on both the left and right sides. If not, make tiny rotational adjustments.
7. Final Tightening Sequence.
This part is crucial. Begin tightening the ring screws gradually and in a criss-cross pattern, just like lug nuts on a car wheel. Tighten each screw a little at a time, constantly checking that your scope level hasn’t shifted. Your goal is even pressure all the way around. If you have a torque driver, use the manufacturer’s recommended inch-pound setting (usually 15-25 in/lbs). Over-tightening can damage your scope tube.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced shooters can make errors during this process. Here’s what to watch out for.
* Relying Only on a Rail Level: Many rails or bases are not machined perfectly parallel to the receiver. Using them as your sole reference can introduce cant.
* Overtightening Too Fast: This is the most common cause of scope cant during installation. It pinches the scope and can rotate it slightly.
* Ignoring Eye Relief: Getting the scope level but having it too far forward or back will ruin your shooting position. Set relief first, then level.
* Using an Unstable Surface: A wobbly table or bench will make consistent leveling impossible. Invest in a stable setup.
Verifying Your Work at the Range
The true test happens on the firing line. After bore-sighting, you can perform a simple box test to verify your scope is level.
Fire a group at a target 100 yards away. Then, dial up 2 MILs or MOA of elevation and fire another group. Next, dial 2 MILs/MOA of windage right and fire a group. Finally, dial down 2 MILs/MOA of elevation (back to your original windage setting) and fire a last group. If your scope is level, the four groups should form a perfect square. If they form a parallelogram, your scope has cant.
Frequently Asked Questions
How important is scope leveling for hunting?
For most big-game hunting under 300 yards, a small amount of cant won’t have a dramatic effect. But for longer shots or precision hunting, a level scope ensures your holdovers are true, which can mean the difference between a clean hit and a miss.
Can I level a scope without a vise?
It’s possible but much harder. You can sandbag the rifle firmly on a stable table, but a vise provides the consistent, hands-free stability needed for precise adjustment. It’s worth using one if you can.
What if my scope still seems off after leveling?
Double-check all your mounting surfaces for debris. Ensure your rings are the correct size for your scope tube (1-inch or 30mm). Also, verify that your scope base is properly installed and torqued to the receiver. Sometimes the problem is further down the chain.
Do I need to level my scope every time I remove it?
If you remove the scope from the rings, you will need to repeat the leveling process when you reinstall it. However, if you remove the rings with the scope attached as a single unit (like on a quick-detach mount), and reattach them to the same rail, it should retain its level assuming the mount is machined correctly.
Taking the time to level your rifle scope properly is a non-negotiable step for serious shooting. It builds a foundation of confidence, knowing that your equipment is working with you, not against you. With a level scope, your long-range corrections will be predictable and accurate, letting you focus on wind reading and trigger control.