September 4, 2021
Many states are soon to begin hunting season. This means it’s time for you to inspect all your hunting gear, especially your scope setup. Mounting a new optic on your current rifle will make it easier to use. Mounting the proper rings and installing the riflescope on a hunting rifle will ensure that you have the correct eye relief.
An effective scope installation requires more than tensioning a set if rings. You need to consider your eye relief and head position. It also needs to be leveled properly. This video shows how to mount a scope quickly and easily. This assumes that the cross-hairs (reticle) are square without the use of a turret. This can be confirmed indoors by using a plumb line that hangs straight down.
Ryan Cleckner demonstrates how to set up a scope for a tactical or hunting rifle in this NSSF video. Ryan, a former U.S. Army sniper Instructor, points out that many hunters spend a lot of money on equipment but fail to set their rifle up to maximize the optics. Cleckner compares it to someone who has a high-end sports car but never adjusts the seats or the mirrors.
Ryan points out that your neck and head should be able to rest naturally on stock without straining. Your head should be comfortable on the stock. Your setup is not correct if you have to lift your head from the stock to see through it. To see through the scope clearly, you shouldn’t have your head pulled back or pushed forward. To get the correct eye relief, you will need to adjust the scope’s fore/aft positions in the rings. For more tips, see the full video.
Tips for Mounting your Scope and Adjusting the Height of Your Comb: 1. Your scope should be mounted as low as possible to allow for sufficient clearance for your front objective. (NOTE: Benchrest shooters might prefer a higher mount for a variety reasons.
2. After you have set the scope height, you will need to adjust your head. If your rifle has an adjustable cheekpiece, you may need to add an accessory cheekpad or raise the comb height.
3. Start by placing the rifle in the most used position (standing, kneeling or prone). If you shoot prone, you will need to place your feet on the ground. Close your eyes and allow your head to rest on the stock. Next, open your eyes and check if you are too high or too low. To raise your head above the stock, you may need to use a cheekpad.
4. This will help you level your scope if your scope has a flat bottom on the turret housing. Find a flat piece that fits between the rail and the scope. Slide the metal piece under your scope. Then tilt it up so that the flat on the scope’s bottom aligns with the rail’s flats. This is how it works. Watch the video at 8.40.
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Tags: Hunting season, Optics, Rifle Sight-In, Ryan Cleckner, Scope alignment, Scope Mounting, Scope Rings
