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Had the same issue with a vx6 a year or two ago that got repaired after fogging up an when it returned the reticle was badly out of line relative to the turrets. I contacted nz Asia and they were excellent an replaced the scope with a new HD model vx 6. Like you tho I spent a fair amount of frustrating time trying to get it mounted using levels etc before finally giving up an after one simple email it was all sorted.
Do as timattalon says. The first vital step is to get the rifle completely level and lock it down so it can't move. Easy to do with the Sako you have because of the flat surface on the action. Use a good reliable level, many aren't. Then mount the scope and check the vertical reticle with a plumb line.
As mentioned Leupold will look after you if your reticle is out of plumb.
cheers for all the replies, especially detail provided by @ChrisW and @Puffin. generally good suggestions all round. @Moutere, the bipod is borrowed for the purposes of scope mounting, it weighs as much as the rifle so i have no intention of carrying it around the hills!
i have levelled the rifle lengthways too, tried different surfaces, different levels, different plumb lines, had the stock in a vice, and levelled every flat surface on the scope, the underside, under turret caps etc. it is half to 3/4 of a bubble out every time. spoke with leupold nz, and they are happy to replace. turns out they even have a bit of a reputation for it in states, but as the leupold team here point out, people only generally rant about the bad experiences. he said the last one they had in nz was a year ago (a vx6, so maybe the same one you mentioned @Tahr).
Very kind offer, thanks @Sasquatch, if I have trouble with the replacement too, I will get in touch.
@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.
@bang woops, too slow with posting.....
what this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-lp...uX97n0&index=7
For the maths shooters,if your scope height center is above barrel center 1.75 inchs.Say your scope is 8 degrees off plump which is about .25 of a inch at the circumference of a 1.75 circle.So if your rifle is zeroed at 100yds,you are only .25 of a inch at 200yds.Zero at 200yds,your shot at 400yds is only .5 of a inch off center.
8 degree cante in your scope would be very easy to see if you got your rifle dead level.So if you got your scope even half that,say 4degrees off plume.You shouldn't have to much to worry about shooting out to 400yds on a deer.Check U tube on the above.
For my scope I screw on a rail bubble each side of my scope rail,Rifle gota be very close to level.Then line up plump bulb rope about 50 yds away.Look thru barrel for rope with rifle level.Then gentle plump up recticle with plump bulb rope.And screw off scope gentle and check rifle is level as I screw off scrope.Then go to the range and fire a couple of shots from 100yds to get zero.Draw a vertical line off zero,check scope at bottom of elevation and top of elevation.Shots should be touching plump line top and bottom if all you have done is good.
Had a canted reticle in a vx5. Replaced, no worries now.
I assume you intend to mount a level on the scope, so you know you are level when at the range or hunting ?