Pennsylvania Game News - July 2014 - 62

quarter-inch right of the bore's center, level on top of the top turret cap. Turn
and bullet placement holds the same the scope until it shows plumb.
Finally, tighten the screws of the
vertical line from 50 yards to our 200yard targets. Since it holds that true, I rings alternately and evenly so the
would not hesitate a 300-yard shot. I scope is fully secured.
When someone complains about
also have shot Winchester M94s and
M1 C/D Garands with side-mounted missing consistently beyond a certain
scopes far enough left of the bore to yardage and is certain about his sight
allow top ejection of spent empty cases picture, canting is usually the culprit.
To check this, look down your rifle
and they shot accurately.
When mounting a scope to a hunt- from behind the buttstock with the
buttstock as plumb
ing rifle, there is
a procedure I go Minimally, a sportsman as possible, then
through that works should be able to put look down at the
scope. If the windage
with 95 percent of
the rifles I work on several consecutive rounds and elevation turrets
and I'm sure it will in at least a 3-inch group aren't square with
the buttstock, then
work for you. Here
centered at 50 yards on the scope probably
it is.
is canted.
First, mount the the bull's-eye.
Take the scope
scope in the rings
loosely, with the rings tight enough off, place a spirit level on the mount,
so the scope doesn't move unless you or bottom half of one of the rings.
move it manually. Then, tighten the Level the rifle and secure it in place.
rings to the mount so it doesn't have Remount the scope and put the level
on the top turret; level the scope, then
any play.
Next, mount the rifle to your shoul- tighten the rings.
I know that some reticules may not
der as if in the field and get the scope as
level as possible. Pull the scope toward be perfectly square with the turrets of
or away from you to get proper eye a scope, or the holes on the receiver
relief and a full field of view for your may not be perfectly square with the
bore, or the top of the receiver, where
sight picture.
Place a piece of tape on the scope the mounts go fore and aft, may not
where it meets one of the rings to create be perfectly level or square with each
other. In these cases, a scope ring aligna reference point.
Remove the scope and place the ment tool and shims may be necessary;
rifle barrel in a padded vice and lay the in extreme cases, the top of the receiver
rear of the stock on top of a support may have to be surface-ground evenly.
A ring-lapping tool helps assure even
(sandbag or cradle).
Place a spirit level across the mount pressure on the scope throughout the
and turn the rifle until it shows level whole surface area of the rings. But for
and tighten down the vice so the rifle most hunting, the steps covered earlier
are the easiest way to prevent canting
does not move.
Next, return the scope to its refer- between rifle and scope.
Once your scope is where you want
ence point with the ring, and place the
62

GAME NEWS

Pennsylvania Game News - July 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Game News - July 2014