Being aware of how to mount a rifle scope enables you to make the best shots possible.
Whilst mounting a rifle scope may seem like an intimidating experience, it actually enables you to perform at your best in potentially challenging situations.
This article covers everything that there is to know about how to effectively mount a rifle scope, outlining the different methodologies that work for any given rifle.
Things To Consider
If you are wondering why you should mount your own scope, it is because a scope that has been mounted by someone else is likely to be mounted incorrectly.
The vast majority of experts will state that mounting your own scope is the best thing that you can do in order to enhance your performance.
Whilst people in gun shops may do a good job at mounting scopes, they are often mounted without precision due to various physical differences which can cause you to fire your bullets out of range.
They are also often in a rush and have other customers to serve. As such, they will not have the necessary amount of time and focus to dedicate to enhancing precision.
By ensuring that you properly mount your own scope, you allow yourself to address any issues that may occur and build confidence in the process of enhancing your performance.
It is a well known fact amongst the shooting community that the vast majority of complaints concerning scopes are due to incorrect mounting of the rifle itself.
This reiterates the importance of mounting your own scope and dedicating the time to do so.
The following is a step-by-step guide on how to mount your own rifle scope:
1. Use the correct tools
You should obtain a torque wrench, a leveling kit, and a gun stabilizer.
There are numerous, varied leveling systems available to purchase. It is also important to note that a gun stabilizer is different to a gun vice.
This is because your rifle will require a solid resting place in order to stabilize correctly.
2. Use Scope Mounting Hardware
There are numerous types of mounts that can be used for a riflescope. These setups include a scope ring and base or a rail and scope.
The former is the most commonly used setup for rifles and includes a centered base and a scope ring that screws into it. These setups are also usually the lightest and easiest to purchase.
In contrast, a rail and scope setup incorporates a singular rail that mounts into the barrel of the rifle before attaching rings to the rail itself.
This form of setup is typically used by longer-range shooters as they ensure that both the rings and rail are mounted on the same place, which inherently leads to perfect alignment.
This setup also allows for better adjustability, but it is important to note that it is a far heavier setup than the former. If you are concerned by this, then you should consider purchasing a lightweight rail.
3. Ensure That Your Gun Is Stabilized
This is a crucial step, irrespective of whether your rifle is placed in a gun vice, a stabilizer or any other form of contraption that is being used to stabilize your weapon.
You should also ensure that your rifle is parallel to the ground in order to maintain the best shot.
4. Mount The Base Or The Bottom Half Of The Rings
If you have chosen to use a rail, then place a light coat of oil onto the underside prior to mounting it. This ensures that it doesn’t become corroded.
You should be careful to avoid getting oil into the mounting screws during this process. Applying blue loctite to the base screws will also assist in the mounting process.
If you are using a base/ring combination, then only mount your rifle onto the lower half of the combo so that you are able to reference your level from the horizontal part of the base.
Another important thing to note if you are using a base/ring combination, is that people may tell you that mounting your rifle using this setup may lead to your rings mounting at different angles.
Many people attempt to counter this by using a process known as “lapping” which attempts to ensure that the rings do not overlap and torque the aim of your scope.
However, many experts have stated you can avoid this entirely if you use higher quality rings.
Conclusion
To conclude, follow the guidelines that I have outlined above in order to mount your scope correctly.
Mounting your scope is an imperative process that enables you to obtain the best shot possible and improve your overall range and performance.
Whilst most gun experts and shop owners will be willing to assist you in the process of mounting your rifle, it is important to note that mounting your own rifle is the only way to maintain the utmost precision.
This is because the vast majority of shop owners do not have the time to dedicate to mounting your rifle with accuracy, and you should also be aware that physical differences may result in the distorted aim of your weapon once mounted.
You can use a combination of rifle mounting hardware like a bass/ring combo or a rail/scope setup. Both of these setups are commonly used by shooters in order to enhance the accuracy of their aim.
You should also ensure that you have purchased the relevant tools and equipment like a gun stabilizer, as this will help you to stabilize your aim in order to increase the efficiency of your shot.
