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Help centering a rifle scope?

I am aware of both the mirror method and the click counting method. I'm after a dedicated optics tool designed to do just one thing, center a scope.

Anyone tell me where to find one, or perhaps an outfit that will do it?

I'd rather buy the tool and do it myself, though.

Thanks & Happy Shooting!

8 Answers

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  • ?
    Lv 7
    5 years ago

    I'm more curious how you correct a problem like that? Windage, who cares. You're not going to be doping 40 MOA of wind. Zero the scope and set your scope knob to zero.

    Elevation, I'm assuming you want it exactly level to the receiver or whatever canted rail so that you can max out your elevation adjustment? If it is within a few MOA, who cares? You should have a rail to give you MORE than enough elevation. If it is 10+ MOA, that's a big deal, but how are you going to correct that, shimming? Checking to make sure you didn't 'oops' something?

    I'm trying to figure out what you are wanting to do. I've put on a dozen scopes and some many times and I've never felt the want or need to 'center it' somehow before I zero it.

  • 5 years ago

    Think you might be inquiring about a scope collimator,which can be used to bore sight a rifle/scope combo,and there are leveling jigs available in similar kits from major suppliers. Like a laser bore sight or other method for centering a scope,a collimator will get you close so you're on paper faster,and if you log book all the inputs you might have a level of repeat-ability,but in the long run you need to put bullets down range at specific distances to calibrate one right,again logging every entry and change. Some of us reload,and having a bore sight isn't really saving me more than a shot or 2 and it would sit for 99.9% of the time, for people using factory ammo with standard profile hunting rifles having one isn't going to be of great benefit either because you're likely to be getting 2 MOA groups or less from a decent newer rifle and any variance in your shot to shot ballistics is going to be more than the adjustments a collimator compensates for. As for making sure a scope isn't canted,there are the plumb bob or any vertical straight line method or actually finding a 90 degree to line up on.

    You also need to establish proper eye relief,not sure if that is part of your question's intent also,but read your scope instructions and find an optimal distance for you. Many people sneak too close to their scope when shooting,a really poor habit to have.

    EDIT: "Centering" the scope is your eye relief,for most scopes it's about 3.5 inches away from the back lens. You can use a piece of blue masking tape or something else not going to stick tight or mar your rifle finish but that you can scale for distance. You can shoulder an unloaded rifle and get into a shooting position with your eyes closed,then open them and see where the scope sits in relation to proper eye relief;being too close leads to scope cuts,poor target acquisition,and often uncomfortable shooting positions. Too close to the scope can also cause a shooter to "lose" the reticle,get black out areas,few other things. I have a 50mm Ocular lens scope on a rifle,so it uses fairly high rings and maybe a Monte Carlo style stock or cheek pad would help but I seem to hold my position for shooting well. Each person should have eye relief set for them,often can do it solo,sometimes a friend or even a shop is a good option for help.

  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    I put the rifle in a Tipton Gun Vise and place a small round bubble level that I bought at a hardware store on the receiver.

    Then I put a level on the scope Turrets when I get the rifle level. Slowly tighten the screws alternating between sides and front to back.

    Also use a plumb bob to align the crosshairs once rifle is level.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    5 years ago

    I'd use a laser bore sight tool to start with, and then just start shooting 3-5 round groups from a bench rest to dial in the scope for the best accuracy. Remember that your bullets won't hit in the same spot over different distances, OR when using different types or brands of ammunition, so you'll still have to use some "Kentucky windage" to hit the X ring of the target.

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  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    the mirror method works just fine, why not do it if youre aware of it .. if its way off on the gun after optically centering it in the mirror then you have a problem with the mount or the scope is damaged or your trying to zero the rifle at too great of a distance, try it at 20 yards, get it dead nuts, then move the target out 10yds at a time to see what its doing .. you may be surprised to find your about done already ... dont 'chase' the elevation if its only moving alittle ...

  • ?
    Lv 7
    5 years ago

    There are several out there, I've had a Bushnell's kit for years that I use to roughly adjust my scopes and I just recently picked up a Site-Lite laser bore sighting kit at Midway to try out.

    Source(s): midwayusa or Brownells
  • Anonymous
    5 years ago

    Why buy some special tool when all you have to do is count the clicks? Are you really that lazy?

    Edit: And, to further throw you a curve, derp, consider the fact that optical center and mechanical center may be two separate things.

  • 5 years ago

    Why? A couple of generations of shooters have been zeroing their scopes without tools. Shoot a group, adjust, shoot again, adjust again. It isn't hard.

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