Any tips for leveling crosshairs?

[cherokee75]

I just bought a new scope to put on my 870 slug gun and was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to level the crosshairs without any fancy bore site leveler or any specialty tools. In the past, I have just did it by holding the gun still and trying to level it as best I could. Of course, I think it is level and tighten down the mount and look through the scope and it is cock eyed. Any tips would be appreciated. Also, anyone have any experience with Bushnell Banner Duskand Dawn scopes?

One trick I find is to level the gun as best as possible. Maybe even use a mini level on the side of the action like your 870. Then while its in your gun rest, step back about 2-3 feet. Looking at it further away, can help you see if its canted.

[bugsNbows]

Try to get the gun leveled into a gun vise or similar "holding" device. You may be able to use a small (like 4") level positioned on the gun's receiver sides. Once the gun is level, look thru the mounted scope sighting on a previously checked (for level) door jamb or trim board. Turn scope to align correctly.

[Lubricious]

The cross pieces in some windows are great for that. Snug down the rings to where you can turn the scope with a small amount of effort, look through it while sighting the window cross thingies and adjust....easy day

[doubleA]

The method I use is simple and quite accurate. I get a couple of vials( can be had from old torpedo/carpenter levels)
and put the rifle in a gun cradle/rest and level the gun with the world. The level can be layed on the top of the receiver, layed on action rails where they are even, across the scope mounts/bases etc. and the other can be layed on the vertical scope turret, either with the cap on or off, whatever is the flatest. Simply get the 2 levels to read the same and the reticle will be absolutely level with rifle/shotgun it's on.

Here is a picture that explains it a little clearer. I have one level on the action where it is parallel and the other sitting atop the elevation turret.





***note*** When using levels in this way, it's not nessecary to have the firearm level with the world,it's just that the 2 levels need read the same.

[SJAdventures]

I have the Level-Level-Level made by Wheeler and for bolt actions it is a dream to level your scope. Not sure if it could be adapted to an 870 or not.