Scope Levels- Why?

[Montana73]

OK, I'll call uncle. I'll get a Vortex scope level and mount on my rifle and reorient my scope in the rings to ensure it is level with the MOA base and top of scope mounts and try it. Will give up mounting my buttstock where it feels good to shoot and aligning my scope reticle to 12/3 to match that position.

I'll give it a try. Thanks.

 

[Mram10us]

OK, I'll call uncle. I'll get a Vortex scope level and mount on my rifle and reorient my scope in the rings to ensure it is level with the MOA base and top of scope mounts and try it. Will give up mounting my buttstock where it feels good to shoot and aligning my scope reticle to 12/3 to match that position.

I'll give it a try. Thanks.

Tall target test is a must to me. Now I'll call uncle

 

[jimbires]

I find them valuable in the steep terrain I hunt. Levels don't have to be accurate like a starrett machinist level. Just need to give you a repeatable indication. At 1000 yds, you will see a difference in elevation and windage on your target if you are canted. Easy math makes sense of it. Try it and see if you like it

it's all about being , repeatable .

 

[Dosh]

I have levels on all my rifles. The scopes are mounted to the axis of the action using a plumbob and the level aligned with the scope. Consistency, a quality I am always chasing. At my age my old eyes need the extra assistance. Note, a friend bought a computer printed plastic scope level which pulled apart after two shots. Buy a decent quality level.

 

[26Reload]

I have four of the printed levels....all four on rifles been shot a lot....

 

[dfanonymous]

I agree with everything except your comment about not needing one if your fundamentals are good. I would argue a person cannot judge if their scope is canted without some indication. Trees,brush and grass don't help. Get you close, but not like a scope level

Sure you can.

Like I said, bubbles have error build into them already. Despite if someone knows it or not, there's already inconsistencies built into them as it is. I don't know anyone using a mercury level in the wild.

Also as I said, it's how you train. I was trying to articulate that if you don't shoot in different environments very often which is usually the case for most shooters then, yes, it will be hard to tell what is level. For the rest of us, we know how to look over the top of the scope, level the rifle, then fine tune the reticle level. I can probably count on one hand any top/respectable competitor that has a level mounted. Then ones that do, I have no idea if they actually look at it, or if it's a shortcut to looking over the scope.
Another splitting hairs convo. I'm all about levels, so I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from using them. Especially if one doesn't shoot a ton.

 

[26Reload]

Why would you need to look over your scope to figure if you are level.....mine is set behind(shooters side) of the turrets and if I am aligned correctly all I do is,open my left eye and while looking thru the scope the bubble level appears inside my scope.....magic...or maybe I am crosseyed....but it's there...
Close my left eye and nothing but crosshairs.....and,I don't move my head a smidgen.....

 

[L.Sherm]

I shoot with both eyes open so it's easy to see my level behind my turret.

 

[bigngreen]

To me the level is a sanity check, in my terrain most of the time when I throw down and just rough set up the bipod and rear bag I'm dang close BUT every once in a while due to what ever it is throwing it of I'll catch a canted situation which would have screwed up the whole situation, I trust the level to keep my from a simple screw up.

 

[LRNut]

I am a big believer in them for LR shooting. Yea, at the range, no big deal. But I am stunned when I am shooting on uneven terrain and "think" I am level, then look at the bubble. Do the math; at long range a cant produces significant horizontal errors.

 

[mwkelso]

Why would you need to look over your scope to figure if you are level.....mine is set behind(shooters side) of the turrets and if I am aligned correctly all I do is,open my left eye and while looking thru the scope the bubble level appears inside my scope.....magic...or maybe I am crosseyed....but it's there...
Close my left eye and nothing but crosshairs.....and,I don't move my head a smidgen.....

I wish I could close my left eye by itself... Right eye, no problem. Left eye, double blink.

 

[Mram10us]

Sure you can.

Like I said, bubbles have error build into them already. Despite if someone knows it or not, there's already inconsistencies built into them as it is. I don't know anyone using a mercury level in the wild.

Also as I said, it's how you train. I was trying to articulate that if you don't shoot in different environments very often which is usually the case for most shooters then, yes, it will be hard to tell what is level. For the rest of us, we know how to look over the top of the scope, level the rifle, then fine tune the reticle level. I can probably count on one hand any top/respectable competitor that has a level mounted. Then ones that do, I have no idea if they actually look at it, or if it's a shortcut to looking over the scope.
Another splitting hairs convo. I'm all about levels, so I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from using them. Especially if one doesn't shoot a ton.

I disagree that you can train yourself to know what level is. I never knew any old framers that didn't use a level after 40 years of practice. But, you and I have been down this path on the last 10 "scope level" threads

On a different note, what "error" are you referring to? Even if they are not perfect, aren't we looking for repeatability?

 

[dfanonymous]

I think this is the first scope level one. Last was magnification of a scope lol.

The issue is adjustability. If you're your moving your body to the rifle and if you don't know if your head is straight or not then one would have an issue. Loose bipods are another. Properly set up rifle negates a lot of this issue. Then for certain targets you can quarter it in the reticle. Past that, it's a "feel" type thing. Again, a in depth training fundamental.

As far as air bubble levels, think about what happens to air and even the fluid when exposed to hot tempatures, cold temperatures and altitude. Again, for people on the same flat range, doing the same thing not in a different area, it's not really a problem. Air bubbles have the potential to not register 3 to 5 degrees of can't.

Also I made a mistake, the accuracy 1st use a ceramic ball. I had explosives on my mind the last few days, hence the mercury switch.

Here is some cause and effect


Head position matters:

 

[Mram10us]

Op, you can get an amazon $5 special to try out. Shoot at 1000 yds with it, then put some tape over it and go by feel. I'd like to see your results if you do