Have you recently purchased a new rifle scope for your bolt-action rifle? If so, proper alignment of the scope to the firearm is essential during installation. Why is this important, and how can you achieve it effectively?
An essential part of mounting a rifle scope on a bolt-action rifle is ensuring its tilt is properly aligned within the scope rings so that the reticle remains parallel to the firearm's bore axis. Simply put, the reticle must not be tilted. Why is this alignment so crucial? If the scope is mounted at an angle off-axis, the point of impact may align correctly at your sight-in distance but will drift as you adjust for bullet drop at different ranges, whether using reticle holdovers or clicks on the ballistic turret. The point of impact will shift left or right, depending on the direction of the scope's misalignment. When shooting high-powered hunting calibers with a reasonably flat trajectory at distances up to, say, 200 meters with a zero at 100 meters, a basic eyeball alignment might suffice, as any minor error is negligible for hunting purposes. However, for long-range shooting, where precision is paramount, or when using calibers with more pronounced ballistic arcs (such as the increasingly popular .300 Blackout or .450 Bushmaster), precise leveling becomes essential. In such cases, using a bubble level for exact alignment is recommended. How is this done, and what tools are required?
How and What Tools to Use
In simple terms, locate a flat surface on your firearm, typically the mounting base, and place a bubble level on it. Adjust the firearm’s position until the bubble is centered. Secure the firearm in this position, then proceed to adjust the scope. The scope should remain mounted in the rings but not yet tightened, allowing it to tilt freely. Place the bubble level on a flat surface of the elevation turret cap or on top of the ballistic turret and adjust the scope until the bubble is perfectly centered. Once aligned, tighten the scope rings appropriately, double-check everything, and you're done.
While this process can be completed using a standard-sized bubble level, it’s highly recommended to invest in a toolset specifically designed for this purpose. These tools make handling easier and provide more precise results. Such tools are often not prohibitively expensive. For example, Wheeler's basic Level-Level-Level kit is available for around 523 CZK. For a more user-friendly and precise option, Wheeler’s Professional Reticle Leveling System, priced at 1,950 CZK, is an excellent choice. This article will present both options.
Before delving into the specifics of these tools, it’s important to address one critical challenge in this process: securing the firearm itself. While specialized gun vises, gunsmithing stands, and cleaning stations allow for precise angling and fixation of the rifle in any desired position, these tools are not commonly found in home workshops. Most people will need to improvise with standard vises or clamps, which can work but may require repeated adjustments and careful checks. Additionally, there’s a possibility that the firearm might shift slightly during scope adjustments, requiring further corrections. Personally, I use a weighted BOG DeathGrip Tripod, which securely holds any firearm and allows full multi-directional adjustments. It works exceptionally well.
The usage of the Lever-Level-Level kit is very straightforward. The key is properly leveling the firearm and then comparing the horizontal alignment of a suitable surface on the firearm to the surface on the scope. This photo clearly shows the scope needs to be tilted to the left.
After attaching the reference level, use the screw to adjust it according to the calibration level placed on a suitable flat surface, typically the mounting base.
Perfect alignment. The bubble is centered, indicating the firearm is perfectly level. At this stage, simply tighten the mounting ring screws, double-check, and you’re done.
The reference level's barrel-mounting system is easy to use and compatible even with the heaviest barrel profiles.
A mounted and leveled reference bubble. It’s now time to place the calibration level on top of the turret cap and adjust the scope’s tilt for consistent alignment.
Budget-Friendly Option
The basic Lever-Level-Level kit consists of two simple bubble levels (it’s worth noting that the variant shown comes from Wheeler’s lapping kit, and the standalone version only differs in color but is otherwise identical). The first level is a reference bubble, designed with a contact surface to rest on the mounting base beneath the installed scope. The firearm is leveled by adjusting its tilt based on this bubble. The second, calibration bubble, is then placed on a suitable surface on the scope, which is aligned by adjusting its tilt within the loosened mounting rings. Both levels are magnetic, making them even easier to use if your mounting base is made of steel. This kit is very simple yet highly functional, built to last a lifetime, and comes at a price that makes it highly recommended—especially if you do not wish to have the scope mounted professionally by a gunsmith.
Challenges can arise if your firearm has a specialized mounting base or an action with insufficiently flat surfaces to position the bubble level, or if the scope is mounted so low that there is no room to fit the level beneath it. In such cases, you can mount just the lower half of the scope ring, place the level across its edges, level the rifle, and then mount and align the scope, hoping that the rifle doesn’t shift during the process. Some ring types may not even allow for this workaround, leaving you with no choice but to improvise. This requires creativity and varies by situation, but the goal is always to find a flat surface to work with.
Fortunately, this is rarely an issue with scopes. Most have adequately flat surfaces on the elevation turret cap, adjustment dials, or ballistic turrets, allowing you to position the bubble level with ease.
Sada profesionální sady Wheeler's Professional Retical Leveling System a jeho jednodušší příbuzný „Lever-Lever-Lever“
Professional Option
The basic kit is sufficient for most hunters’ needs. However, those who take precision seriously and frequently work on their firearms may prefer the professional calibration kit, known as the Wheeler’s Professional Reticle Leveling System. This kit comes in a padded box and includes two levels made of anodized aluminum, with craftsmanship that is apparent at first glance. The first level, the reference level, is clamped to the barrel. It accommodates even heavy barrel profiles, with inner surfaces lined with rubber to prevent scratches. The second, smaller level is used for the actual calibration.
The process is as follows: secure the rifle in a suitable vise or stand and attach the reference level to the barrel. Place the calibration level on the mounting base or any other flat surface perpendicular to the firearm’s bore. Using the calibration level as a guide, adjust the rifle until it is perfectly level, then secure it in place to prevent movement. The barrel-mounted reference level is attached via a screw and a joint, allowing for precise adjustments. Rotate the screw until the bubble in the barrel-mounted level matches the bubble in the calibration level. Next, remove the calibration level and place the scope into the mounting rings. Place the calibration level on a suitable flat surface on the scope, such as the top of the turret. Rotate the scope within the rings until the bubbles in both levels align. Finally, tighten the scope securely, ideally using a torque wrench, and optionally apply thread-locking compound to the screws. Double-check both levels, and if everything is aligned, remove the levels, and the process is complete.
This professional kit provides smoother handling, greater precision, and reduced sensitivity to the rifle being perfectly secured. Any slight movement is immediately evident on the reference level, which remains clamped to the barrel and can be adjusted as needed throughout the process.
Precision for Everyone
While the professional kit is more expensive, priced at just under 2,000 CZK, it remains reasonably affordable and is built to last a lifetime. It can also be purchased collectively by members of a shooting club, a hunting association, or a group of shooters, making it an ideal and cost-effective solution. Even enthusiastic shooters who might not use it frequently could share it as a "communal" tool. And if, by some rare chance, the vial in the calibration level becomes loose, it can easily be glued back in place, and the alignment can be adjusted using the screws at the ends of the level’s aluminum body.Neither the professional nor the basic kit is a common part of most shooters’ equipment, which, in my opinion, is unfortunate. Admittedly, many hunters traditionally shoot only at shorter distances, and some do not place much emphasis on shooting precision. On the other hand, there are plenty of dedicated shooters who, given the accuracy achieved by modern rifles—even budget-friendly ones—would benefit from fully utilizing their potential. A slightly misaligned scope shouldn’t be the limiting factor, especially when the solution is so simple. I see this accessory as a valuable tool that I would recommend to the broader shooting community: the professional kit for perfectionists or larger groups of shooters, and the basic kit as an economical option for everyone else.
It’s worth noting that these two Wheeler kits aren’t the only options available, but the local market is relatively limited in this area. There are a few "no-name" copies of the Lever-Level-Level and levels by Fix It Sticks, but these are designed specifically for firearms with Picatinny rails, lacking the versatility of the Wheeler kits.
Advantages/Disadvantages (Wheeler's Professional Reticle Leveling System)
+ High quality and precision
+ Versatility
+ Ease of use
+ The best option available in its category on the domestic market
- Higher price (depending on how often you plan to use it)
Both Wheeler leveling kits can be purchased from STROBL.CZ s.r.o. More information is available at strobl.cz or directly on the manufacturer’s website at wheelertools.com.
Photo Sources: Author’s Archive
Author: Tomáš Prachař
This article was originally published in the magazine Lovec by Extra Publishing.
