sage613 8 Posted August 14, 2018 Friends Is it worthwhile to pay a gunsmith to mount a scope on a rifle? The rifle is already drilled and tapped, I'm using a picatinny rail made for the model of the rifle, and the scope comes with its own rings-I am a newbie when it comes to optics... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scorpio64 5,147 Posted August 14, 2018 If you have never done it, you may feel more comfortable having a LGS set it up for you. But, there's no real mystery to mounting a scope. You have to learn eventually. Try doing it yourself, being careful not to bugger up screw heads or strip threads. If you can't get it right, then bring it to a smith. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GRIZ 3,369 Posted August 14, 2018 I have always mounted my own scopes. You need to: 1. Set eye relief. 2. Make sure cross hairs are level. You can buy a set of levels to do this for maybe $20 on Amazon. 3. I've never torqued down screws. I tighten them in a crisscross pattern and this has worked for me. 4. Boresighting. You can buy a cheap laser to get you on paper or you can physically look down the bore and line it up with the crosshairs. I've found most scopes with get you on a 18"x18" target out of the box. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeteF 1,044 Posted August 14, 2018 If its already drilled and tapped, it's not rocket science. You want a good inch lbs torque wrench so you dont strip out screws. Only other real "trick" is leveling the reticle roll, to make adjustments "true". Ive used these with good results. https://www.amazon.com/Neiko-10573B-Screwdriver-Inch-Pound-Included/dp/B000RZ1D86/ref=mp_s_a_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1534213824&sr=8-18&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=inch+lb+torque+wrench&dpPl=1&dpID=41Lk2Sp45kL&ref=plSrch https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/sight-scope-installation-tools/scope-reticle-levelers/professional-reticle-leveling-system-prod56977.aspx Lots of videos online Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RichP 115 Posted August 15, 2018 Buy the tools and mount it yourself. Chances are you will be mounting more than one or two scopes in your lifetime, so buying the tools would be cheaper than going to a gunsmith in the long run. Torque screwdriver, scope leveler, loc-tite, lapping kit, boresighter Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites