Why Scope Leveling Wedges Don't Work

The wedges that have two pieces can work great if using the top of pic rail on rifle.

Your mount should sit flat on the pic rail, if it's not, thats a problem. You don't want your mount held in position by the taper on the clamp. The only job the taper clamp has is to pull the mount flat on the pic rail. If we're being realistic, levelling your reticle to your action is the only perfect way, else, everything has tolerance.

Great videos. I totally agree with you on the wedge system, I’ve very rarely had good results using them in the workshop. Using accurate levels on various points on the rifle and scope just seems the most accurate and consistent way of doing things I have found myself.

This is the best instruction on scope leveling to date I’ve seen. Great great job. Thank you for all you do for the community!

Figured it out these working on airguns, you have shared the golden nuggets. not talked on YouTube or anywhere else as of date.

Great information! I always learn something new from your videos.

Thanks for this episode, it´s now saved for future mounting projects 👍

What is interesting is how to determine the precision tolerance you need for your leveling tools. An optic bubble level’s biggest error sits in the person in front of it ( acceptance factor). Most electronic levels have a tolerance of +/- 0.2 degrees. The most expensive ones ( 100$) maybe +/- 0,05

Hi, Gary... very well done analysis. This is the best instruction on scope leveling to date I’ve seen. Great job. Thank you for all you do for the community! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND ALL THE BEST FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY BEST REGARDS

I saw these little Wedges about a year ago and they looked like a great option and the Theory is absolutely there lol and I tried them a few times and I’ve been Shooting with Optics I’ve mounted for Decades and I always fall back to the Levels, I mean Liquid doesn’t Lie and the little Wedges are in a drawer. I usually start with Leveling my Table or Workbench and Work my way upwards but now I just utilize my IPhone Level along with the little Wheeler Levels and with Aging Eyes I use everything available. Great Video my Friend stay safe. Semper Fidelis

Good knowledge right there. Thanks.

I always love these videos, thanks

Same. Wedges had my reticle canted so bad I couldn’t even finish a ladder test on some sst hand loads. Pissed me off. The range is an hour away

Good video Gary.

I bought a set of wedges a couple years ago. Never got them to work properly.

Could you do a video testing cheap scope rings like Modkin or Monstrum against Arken or Vortex?

Hi, Gary... very well done analysis.... One question: If you have a rail with 20 moa AND a one piece scope mount with increased moa (such as an MTD or a Sphur), which one should you level all components to as they BOTH have a degree of moa adjustment... Robert Dakota Dunes, SD

Thanks man!!

Thanks for the heads up. I wonder if "wet mounting" would change the results. I know Area 419 has a video where they put a touch of grease on the pic rail, so when torquing mounts to rail, it can settle into correct position, so they claim. My protocol is to check as many variables as possible. I start with making sure rifle is level as measured by pic rail. Then mount scope into the scope base loosely for eye relief/eye box. After that, I check against the level of the top of turret for "good enough" to start, so I know I'm not way off. Then, I project reticle onto wall, and ensure reticle is on same level as rifle pic rail. I then carefully tighten down everything and reverify everything.

Do you offer a service to help mount/level a new rifle? I ordered an MPA and have a razor waiting to add.