Scope cant from a rotational standpoint

[Big Z]

Will unlevel crosshairs lead to long-range inconcistencies in accuracy? What about precision?

[statjunk]

I believe that in theory it should have no affect on precision/accuracy.

The issue is when you're dialing your scope in each click will not only move the hairs up/down or left/right but both at the same time.

Ie if you're cross hairs aren't level and you are shooting an 1" low and try to move it up, you may also be moving left or right depending on which direction your cross hairs are tilted.

Tom

[Big Z]

Thanks Tom,
My concern was that with just 'eyeballing' the level of my scopes, I might experience a drift or some other variable at extended ranges (over 500yds). I have only shot to 500yds (maybe about 600 with a few shots on one occasion) so far and haven't experienced problems.

[statjunk]

At those distances I could see that maybe it could affect you. It may be possible that the cross hair being unlevel may cause you to unintentionally square the rifle to the cross hairs instead of holding the rifle itself level.

Something tells me that your cross hairs are pretty level. You're just wondering if you should measure them to be sure?

You may want to get the opinion of one of the long range shooters on the forum like RR or others around here.

Tom

[Big Z]

Exactly, I'm wondering if a scope leveling tool would be necessary to minimize variables or if reasonably-level will do the trick as it is.

[hometheaterman]

Where can you get a scope leveling tool? I've always eye balled it too and sometimes have problems. Like when hunting with my muzzle loader the other day I noticed the crosshairs are just slightly off center. Not much but if I really tried to hold the gun level I could tell they weren't perfect. I didn't notice this when mounting it or sighting it in and it shoots well at 100 yards so I hate to take it off to adjust it and have to re sight it in again when it's barely and I mean barely off. l the width of that letter there is probably about how far off center it is. I just am a perfectionist and want stuff like this perfect.

[Big Z]

HTM, at cabelas there's a tool used with a laser bore-sighter and level than projects a horizontal line out the bbl. You adjust the scope accordingly. Or there are levels you can use. A full set of professional tools for ring lapping, leveling, and ring alignment etc. will run you about $100.

[Ridge Runner]

if you sight in with the crosshairs level, a 5 degree cant will cause you to miss a deers vitals at 500 yards, ask me how I know?
RR

[Ridge Runner]

level crosshairs

+ poa Point of aim
. end of the muzzle
the arc of the bullet comes straight up to intersect poa,
Now cant your scope

+ x
.
+=POI (point of impact) x= poa with canted scope, .= end of the muzzle
the bullet path is still straight up from the muzzle only your hitting high because when you twist the rifle and cant the reticle they travel down, and left because thats straight up from the muzzle
Hope this is understandable
RR

[thndrchiken]

Or you can spend about $2 and go buy a couple of cheapo 2" levels from your local Harbor Freight or an auto parts store, use one on the action to check the level on the supported action and the other on the top turret. There you go a level crosshair.