Warning

 

Close
Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Cancel Confirm
AR15.COM
Armory Sponsor
2/7/2015 3:27:47 PM EDT
I'm sure I will get different opinions, but I have never mounted my own scope, the gun store I purchase things at has always sighted, and mounted the scope.

I am wondering how easy it actually is to do, because I would like to do it myself. The gun store does this all for me for free, but I would love to be able to do both the mounting and sighting myself. I am sure there are threads explaining how to mount a scope, I am just seeing if this is something someone with no gunsmithing background could handle, or if I should stick to having the gun store do it.

I am not sure how they do it at the store, but the video I watched involved using a alignment bars, lapping bar, and level. Is this pretty much the standard way to mount a scope? I never really took into account how not aligning the scope rings would stress the scope, which brings me to a question in regards to scope rings. Is it because of the importance of aligning scope rings, that makes a scope mount more preferred, since you do not have to align the two rings?

I appreciate anyones input.
2/11/2015 11:09:59 AM EDT
[#1]
Yes scope mounting is something you can handle yourself.

The manual that comes with your scope will explain how to set the eye relief and focus.

I use Talley light weight one-piece rings/bases; never had to lap a set of them, so no need for alignment bars, etc, but I have them.

Watch several videos, go to MidwayUSA, Wheeler Engineer or NSSF videos on youtube. It's a very simple task, if you have further questions, just ask I'd be more than happy to help.
2/11/2015 5:09:02 PM EDT
[#2]
Scope mounting is something every serious shooter should do for himself.

If you are concerned about alignment, the Burris Pos Align rings are a very good way to proceed, plus the bushings allow tweaking of built in elevation for long ranges and even windage if necessary.

Brownells has two videos to get your started:  http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/tid=0/cid=6/GunTech/Sights-Optics-Work.  Lots of other videos and articles there, too.

Buy a good set of screwdrivers.

Then you just need to learn to bore sight the scope by peering down the bore when possible; this is possible with bolt action and AR type rifles.  Lever guns and autoloaders that don't allow a peek can be shot on a large target card at 25 yards to get started, before moving the target back to longer range to refine the setting.  I have a low opinion of the usefulness of optical bore sighters, they mostly don't work all that well in my experience.

2/13/2015 11:30:37 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote History
Quoted:
Scope mounting is something every serious shooter should do for himself.

If you are concerned about alignment, the Burris Pos Align rings are a very good way to proceed, plus the bushings allow tweaking of built in elevation for long ranges and even windage if necessary.

Brownells has two videos to get your started:  http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/tid=0/cid=6/GunTech/Sights-Optics-Work.  Lots of other videos and articles there, too.

Buy a good set of screwdrivers.

Then you just need to learn to bore sight the scope by peering down the bore when possible; this is possible with bolt action and AR type rifles.  Lever guns and autoloaders that don't allow a peek can be shot on a large target card at 25 yards to get started, before moving the target back to longer range to refine the setting.  I have a low opinion of the usefulness of optical bore sighters, they mostly don't work all that well in my experience.

View Quote


What is a good set of screwdrivers. I bought these not to long ago? Thoughts? I have no problem upgrading.

http://www.amazon.com/Wheeler-Professional-Gunsmithing-Screwdriver-43-Pack/dp/B00HTN4EWG/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top/186-8724964-5336612
2/14/2015 12:13:24 AM EDT
[#4]
If those bits are made from S2 steel and heat treated correctly, I'd say they will work fine.

The thing about "gunsmithing" screwdrivers is that they might still not fit a screw, so you can learn to grind them to fit or sometimes buy screwdrivers sized to fit specific brands of guns.

Armory Sponsor