Whether you are at the range or afield, all of the components of your firearm must work together properly in order to precisely engage a target. Downrange precision begins with rifle selection, extending into optic selection, and mounting hardware.
Considerations
Selecting high-quality scope mounts is as important as selecting a quality optic. Inferior riflescope mounts can cause alignment issues which is why a lot of precision rifle shooters have historically hand-lapped riflescope rings. With the advancement in technology, that is no longer necessary. Quality scope rings and bases like Nightforce mounts are precision engineered and eliminate the need to hand lap for consistency. In fact, they are so precise, that hand lapping the rings will void their factory warranty. Simply open the package and install them.
When selecting rings, you may want to evaluate your personal preference in low, medium, or high ring heights. Mounting the scope as close to the line of the bore as possible aids the shooter in acquiring a solid cheek weld on the rifle stock. This will cause the rifle to feel more like an extension of your body and allow the shooter to rapidly acquire optimal sight picture.
When it comes to adjusting for eye relief, you will want to start the process with the riflescope on max power because that is the most diminished field of view available to your optic. If you have a full field of view at maximum power, then you will also have a full field of view at minimum power.
Needed Supplies
Reticle Scope Leveling System
Torque Wrench
Rings & Bases
Rifle Scope
Staggered Yoke System or Gun Vise
Blue Loctite
Step by Step Process
- Ensure that your Picatinny rail is secured to the action with blue Loctite and properly torqued into place.
2. Place reference level on Picatinny rail and level the gun.
3. Attach the barrel level and level it to the reference level on the Picatinny rail.
4. Refer to manufacturers’ specifications for a scope base and ring torque specs.
5. Attach the bases to the Picatinny rail. Ensure that the bases are pressed forward into the Picatinny rail grooves. Torque the bases into place using the manufacture specifications.
6. Set the riflescope magnification on max power.
7. Place the scope within the bases and lightly secure the rings around the scope allowing enough action to adjust for optic eye relief.
8. Adjust the scope forwards and/or backward to set the proper eye relief.
9. Use the reference level atop the riflescope to ensure that the scope is placed within the rings level to match the barrel reference level.
9. Tighten rings gradually until specified torque specs are reached while observing that the scope reference level stays level with the barrel level.