You are always hearing of different ways to level a reticle in a scope, from hanging a plumb line and looking through the scope, to fancy level systems that can cost a fair price. The problems with these methods can vary as well, with the plumb line method trying to hold the rifle level, look through the scope and twist the scope all at the same time can be difficult. Or as Caleb D. on facebook found using one of the leveling systems his turret would give different level readings depending on where it was dialed to.
Well here is a new way of doing it that I shared with Caleb and he was more than happy to take a few pictures to help with the tutorial.
Start by hanging a piece of white poster board up with a plumb line hanging in front of it, the finer the plumb line the better..
Set the rifle in a cleaning rest or on bipods with the buttstock next to the plumb line but not touching it.
Now use a level to get the rifle as level as possible.
Now find the absolutely brightest light you can and shine it into the objective of the scope, focus the scope until you have a nice clear projected image on the poster board.
Now you have a clear view of what adjustments you need to make and both hands free to make them.
Other reasons this is our preferred method are due to Jeremy’s background as a machinist. Despite every best effort of the manufacturers there are allowable tolerances in anything that is made in this world, i.e. your rail may be .001 out of level, the reticle lens may be slightly twisted in the tube, the tube may be slightly misshaped. All of these things are possible and it basically comes down to.. If your goal is to level the reticle, level the reticle rather than the tube or other parts around it that could be slightly off.
