How to Mount a Rifle Scope with Perfectly Vertical Crosshairs – All You Need to Know!

It is pretty tricky to mount the scope and ensure the reticle is precisely aligned from top to bottom at the same time.

However, this article will guide you on how to mount a rifle scope with perfectly vertical crosshairs.

Now without wasting any time, let’s dive straight into it.

List of Gear You Need

Before you get started with the scope, here’s a complete list of tools you will need to mount your first-ever riflescope perfectly.

The basic things you will need are a scope, a rifle, a level working surface, and a place with a light background.

In addition to that, you will also need the following gear:

  • Screwdriver
  • Gun vice
  • Bubble level
  • Plumb bob
  • Scope rings
  • Accurizing torque wrench

Note: If you want to know a complete guide about scopes click HERE.

mount a rifle scope

Method to Mount the Rifle Scope

Here’s how it works:

Step One

The first thing you need to do is to brace your rifle securely on sandbags to ensure maximum safety. After that, you have to lay the spirit level across it to view whether the rifle is vertical. 

Step Two

Hike down to at least 25 yards before setting up a target. Draw a vertical line with the help of a spirit level. 

Assure that you draw this line in an attractive spot on the paper, and after that, you can attach a piece of black tape. This piece must be a line with the vertical line precisely.

Note: If you want to gain information about What AOEG Scope Means click HERE.

Step Three

You have to go back to your rifle with intense care in this step. Set your scope in the rings and Make sure that the cross-hair is parallel with the tape on the target. 

After this step, you have to tighten the ring screws and move on to the next one.

Step Four

It is crucial to remember that rings torque the scope tube clockwise or counterclockwise. This could get frustrating if you do not rotate it in the right position.

But you can avoid that if you handle this job by tightening things slowly and a check on the alignment. If alignments are sturdy enough, you will easily avoid the disturbance that comes with them.

Step Five

After finishing and mounting the sight picture, check if the cross-hair is vertical. If this isn’t the case, you will have to repeat all the previously mentioned steps again until you get it right. 

Properly mounting the riflescope is an essential component that contributes to the rifle’s accuracy and performance. 

If you have a classic hunting rifle with a scope installed, then you are at the right place because we will tell you how to mount a scope properly.

Note: If you want to know Where is Swift Scopes Made? Click HERE.

Choosing the Right Objective and Duplex Crosshair

It would help if you chose a 3 x 9 power Leupold VX-II comprising a 40 mm objective and a Duplex Crosshair. It is excellent for closer shots, and you can dial it up to 9 power for longer shots. 

We recommended that you choose a standard style two-piece ring and base combination. 

You will notice that the front ring comprises a small doubt tale at the bottom that matches up to the base and two large opposing windage screws lock in the rear ring.

Detailed Method and Tips for Mounting Rifle Scope

Let’s discuss how you can adequately mount a rifle scope below.

Note: Before starting this process, you need to ensure that a base and ring are selected.

 1. Removal of Plugs

In the first step, you have to remove the plug screws from the receiver. Degrease the base mounting screws and the holes, and the receiver. Do this by applying oil to the receiver and the bottom of the bases. 

It also helps you to prevent your rifle from rusting and ensures that the oil does not get into the degreased holes.

 2. Securing the Screws

Use a 242 blue Loctite to secure the screws, but it is not permanent. The head screws are primarily used in modern bases and rings. 

This head style is popular because it allows maximum engagement of the screwdriver bit and it is less likely to slip compared to a slotted head style.

 3. Installation of Base Screws

In this step, you have to install the base screws and then torque them to 30-inch pounds. You can do this by using a wheeler engineering flat wrench easily. 

Tightening the base screws with the proper torque is essential because it keeps the base firmly attached and secure. 

The torque should be balanced because too much can strip the threads or even break the screw.

Note: If you want to know What a Cantilever Scope Mount click HERE.

 4. Bolt Operation

It is essential to ensure that the bolt operates correctly because sometimes the basic rules can be too long and then they start interfering with the bolt. 

Make sure you select low rings that position the scope closely within a straight line by placing your head exactly above the scop to avoid any parallax error. 

Don’t underestimate the grease because a small amount of it on the dovetail can make turning the ring a lot easier. 

Moreover, this also helps the bolt from galling.

In the End

Once you have successfully mounted the scope, fire once to confirm if the job is finished. When you shoot from an area that supports your rifle, it will become extremely easy for you. 

After following our guide given above, you can easily mount the rifle scope seamlessly with vertical crosshairs.

We hope this article was helpful for you. Do let us know about your experience and if there’s anything further you would like to know, please free to reach out to us. 

If you want to know more information about scopes click HERE.

So, get hunting.

Author

  • John Moses

    John is the Editor in Chief here at The Outdoor Stores. His area of expertise ensures that there is no one better to suggest which rifles are most suitable for your hunting experience. He is also available for you to contact him personally to discuss the types of animals you want to hunt and the terrain you will be hunting on. Feel free to read his posts for expert opinion on Rifles, Scopes, Rangefinders, Bonoculars and Monoculars.

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