How to Install Rifle Scope?

How to Install Rifle Scope: A rifle scope is an essential piece of equipment for any long-distance rifle shooting. It allows the shooter to zoom in to bring targets into better focus and can even help compensate for bullet drop.

But before using a rifle scope, you’ll need to mount it first. And, mounting a rifle scope is a bit tricky. Therefore, after getting a new rifle, many shooters and hunters used to get confused about how to mount a scope.

Moreover, mounting a rifle scope is an essential part of owning a new rifle because without mounting your scope, it may not be possible to hunt the game. So, if you own a new rifle, first, you’ll need to know How to Install a Rifle Scope.

Although some shooters prefer to let a professional gunsmith mount their new scope, it is better to do it yourself if you don’t want to spend any money mounting it. Therefore, today, this article will show you a step-by-step process for mounting a rifle scope. Let’s follow us.

Tools Needed

• Rifle
• Scope
• Gun Oil
• Degreaser
• Small Level
• Scope Rings
• Screw Driver
• Allen or Torx Wrench
• Scope Mounting Base (optional on some rifles)
• Removable Thread locker (Do NOT use Permanent or Red Loctite)

How to Install a Rifle Scope?

If you’re planning to mount a new rifle scope onto your rifle, you need to know some of the basic steps. These steps are designed to help you avoid common fitment mistakes while installing a rifle scope. So before messing with your precious rifle or new scope, learn the following easy steps to install your scope in the right way.

However, installing your rifle scope by following our simple steps will ensure your safety and protect your scope and gun parts from potential damages. Learn the steps in this guide, and be up to speed in no time.

Match Rings and Bases

Today’s rifles are commonly pre-drilled and tapped for scope mounting (with holes for the screws) or grooved for the appropriate attachments (giving you a place to put your screws). So the first thing you’ll want to do is make sure that the scope mount you select is compatible with your rifle.

Also, scope rings vary in height, which can also be confusing yet. Usually, specific scope bases are designed to fit specific scope rings, so these two components must be compatible. Therefore, confirm that the rings are the appropriate diameter and height for correctly positioning your scope.

Mount Bases

If you want a scope mounted on a rifle, try to have the scope positioned as low as possible on the rifle so that its objective bell does not make contact with the barrel and provides clearance at the eyepiece to operate the bold freely. The majority of rings and bases are held together with screws that require Torx wrenches or socket heads. In this regard, a savvy gun shop operator will give good advice from his personal experience.

Afterward, clean and wipe off the joining surfaces before attaching your bases or scope to your rifle. Then, lightly coat the surface with oil or a rust-prevention ingredient. It ensures a good fit. Also, make sure the bases are correctly aligned and not attached backward.

Lock ‘Em Down

Use a tiny drop of a thread-freezing solution like Loctite for optimal security. Overall, semi-permanent Blue is the best choice for mounting. Then, tighten the screws until they achieve a more even fit.

Avoid using the scope as a lever to rotate the ring into position when employing rings attached to the front base with a rotating socket system. Instead, you can use anything with a similar diameter, such as a wooden dowel.

Align Reticle

Put the bottom half of the rings on the rifle. Place the scope in the desired location and loosen the upper rings just enough to allow the scope to spin and move back and forth. Holding the gun level, rotate the scope until you have the straightest horizontal and vertical reticle.

Adjust Eye Relief

Place the scope far enough frontward to secure your eyes from recoil. But if you’re not familiar with long-range scopes, move the scope forward 1 inch. It is the general rule for scopes, so it’s probably better than your guesswork.

Tighten Screws

Align the scope and tighten the screws. In contrast, tighten the screws to achieve an even distance between the ring halves.

Bore Sight

Using a correct insertion pin based on your caliber, rotate the vertical and horizontal axis of the boresight to your preferred point of aim.

Final Word

A costly riflescope is worthless if it is not appropriately mounted on the rifle. While many hunters pay gunsmiths to attach their scopes, anyone can do it themselves.

Although, mounting a rifle scope can be a difficult task for the beginner. So, in this article, we have already discussed the steps involved in mounting a scope. If you are planning on Installing a Rifle Scope, then this article will help you. It’ll provide you all the information you need to have a smooth installation.