Thread: Scope mounting

@bang I would leave the rifle out of the equation for now and concentrate just on the scope. From your posting you have probably already done the right things to determine as per @ChrisW posting that the reticle is well out of wack with the elevation turret.

Ensure reticle is optically centred. It should have come from the factory centred but check using the counting click method or mirror method (google).

Then, just to confirm, I would again set up a plum bob at a suitable distance (out of the wind), hopefully in reasonable focus. With the scope held very steady, off the rifle, align the vertical reticle element with the plum bob line. Do level check on top of turret, turning level ½ turn to confirm.

If bubble is as bad as you say in your first posting I would take scope back to supplier. Don’t be put off by rumours that Leupold make perfect scopes. Those days seem to have gone.

Of my many scopes I only have one scope that the top turret is absolutely level with the crosshair and that is an NXS. My 4 Leupolds are not 100% perfect, nor my SIII Sightron, Burris Black Diamond etc etc. However, the errors in my scopes are nowhere like you describe in yours.

I always align using the vertical element (some of my rifles I shoot to 1000yds) as some scopes are also slightly on the piss between the horizontal and vertical elements in the reticle. Have not experienced this, yet, with glass etched reticles.