How to Mount a Scope: 14 Easy Step for Mounting a Riflescope

A state-of-the-art scope is useless if it is mounted incorrectly. Although your local gun shop should be up to the task, doing the work yourself can save money and add another rewarding dimension to your hunts. So, I am going to discuss how to mount a rifle scope on your rifle in this article.

Tools required

• Hex wrench set (English)
• Gunsmith screwdrivers
• Scope-mounting adhesive
• Gun oil
• Long cotton swabs
• Soft cotton cloth
• Acetone, ether or another cleaning/degreasing agent
• Riflescope bore-sighting device and arbors
• Scope alignment rods
• Shims Rubber hammer
• Rifle vise
• Short steel ruler
• Lapping kit
• Reticle leveler

Instructions on How to Mount a Scope

Here are some tips you can follow to mount the riflescope in a better way. Follow these steps to meld your rifle and scope into a tack-driving combination

First Phase Tips: Beginning Part of Installation of the Riflescope

1. Place the gun’s safety in the “on” position. Unload firearm and remove the bolt, cylinder, clip, etc. Make sure the chamber is empty.
2. Remove old bases or rings. If the gun is new, you might have to remove the factory screws from the receiver. These screws protect the scope’s mounting holes until needed.
3. Degrease the base screws and the receiver’s mounting holes.
4. Temporarily install the bases. Shimming might be required under part of the base if the top of the receiver is not parallel to the axis of the scope.

WHEN THE SCOPE is mounted on the gun, make sure there is at least ‘ inch of clearance between the bell of the scope and the gun. the bore. Mismatches might require a different set of bases.

Middle Phase Tips: Install Scope Rods and Rings

5. Install the scope-alignment rods into the rings and place them on the firearm. If there is a misalignment, some shimming might be required. Very small adjustments can be made later by tapping the base with a rubber hammer.
6. Remove the rings when the rods indicate the system is aligned. Apply a light coating of gun oil to the underside of the base and the top of the receiver.

Also install the base and screws, using adhesive. Be sure the adhesive does not drip into the action. Use cotton swabs to clean spillage.

7. Re-install the rings with the alignment rods. Again, if there is a small alignment problem, tapping with the rubber hammer might correct it. If there’s gross misalignment, shimming might be required.

Middle Phase Tips: Installing the Riflescope in the Rings

8. Once you are satisfied the rings and the base are aligned, install the riflescope in the rings. Degrease the inner surface of the rings and the area of contact on the scope.

Inspect the fit of the rings to the scope. Some inexpensive rings are not perfectly round, making for a poor fit between the ring and the scope’s body tube. In the last of my deer hunting trips, I have done something similar and found great performance.

If you’re using Weaver-style rings, install them loosely, then attach them to the base. For Redfield-style rings, attach the twist-lock front ring by using a metal or wooden dowel.

When the scope is mounted, ensure there is at least a synch of clearance between the bell of the scope and the gun. Also, make sure the action doesn’t touch the scope during cycling.

9. Set up the bore-sighting system on the firearm. Adjust the ring screws so the scope can rotate, but not wobble. Adjust the distance from the scope to your eye to prevent injury during recoil. It should be about 3 inches.
10. Turn the scope to high power and adjust the windage and elevation so the image of the bore-sighting grid and the scope reticle don’t move with each other as the scope is rotated.
11. Gently rotate the scope in the rings so the horizontal portion of the reticle is level when the gun is held in the shooting position. To aid this adjustment, use a bubble level or reticle leveler. Next, tighten all rings and base screws. Use adhesive on the screws and let set overnight.

Also Check: Best Scope for 22lr Benchrest

Last Phase Tips: Adjusting and Finishing of the Scope Installation

12. Adjust the windage and elevation to place the center of the reticle on the center of the bore-sighting grid. Shimming might be required to bring it in alignment with the bore. If so, consider using a system with windage control.

12. With everything secure, the scope is ready for the range. The shooter should pick a common distance – 25, 50, or 100 yards — and adjust accordingly. Or he can choose the long-range best 308 scopes.
13. Remember, ammunition, outside temperature, the temperature of the barrel, and cleanliness of the barrel all affect a gun’s accuracy.
14. Make sure the scope’s rings and bases are tight.

Pro Tips: Use a Partner to Sight-In Your Rifle with Two Shots

The best way to sight in your deer rifle is to shoot from a bench and steady rest at a paper target 50 to 100 yards away.

If your scope is equipped with an adjustable objective, be sure it is adjusted to the range at which you are sighting.

The traditional method of sighting a rifle from a solid rest is to aim at the bulls-eye and carefully fire one or more shots. Note the vertical and horizontal distances between the resulting bullet holes and the desired point of impact.

Adjust the scope the required number of clicks to move from the initial point of impact to the desired point of impact. Fire additional shots and make adjustments as required to achieve the desired result.

The “two-shot” sighting method is much easier, but it requires another person’s help.

Last Few Tips

With the rifle on sandbags, take careful aim at the bulls-eye and fire one shot in sports or hunting on the jungle for turkeys or deer. Arrange the rifle back on the bags and aim at the bulls-eye again.

Without moving the rifle, have a friend adjust the scope reticle while you watch through the scope. Direct the person to move the reticle until it’s centered on the first bullet hole. Now the rifle should shoot where the scope is looking.

Fire a second shot to confirm the rifle is sighted. You might need to perform some fine-tuning, but this method is quick, easy, and accurate.