Mounting a riflescope

Warning: Be sure that the firearm is not loaded. Always practice safe firearms handling.

Warning: When installing a riflescope to a rifle with high levels of recoil, always ensure that there is adequate eye relief. This will avoid eye injury.

Warning: Ensure metal flip-up covers are removed when using high recoiling rifles.

Always check that the diameter of the riflescope body tube matches the diameter of the scope rings that you wish to use.  Always purchase the best rings you can afford making sure that the base of the rings will fit your rifle.  For more guidance on mount selection see " Choosing the correct mounts".

SETUP

  1. Loosen the mount base screws and fit the mounts to the rifle base - do not completely tighten.
  2. Remove the top clamps from the rings and lay the riflescope into the rings. The scope should be mounted as low as possible without touching the barrel, rear sight, or the receiver.
  3. Reinstall the top clamps onto the rings, but do not tighten.
  4. Before tightening the ring and base screws, look through the scope in your normal shooting position. Adjust the scope (forward or backward) until you find the furthest point forward (to ensure maximum eye relief) that allows you to see a full field of view.
  5. Tighten the base screws.
  6. Rotate the scope in the rings until the reticle is vertically aligned with the gun and the elevation turret is on top.
  7. Alternately tighten the top clamp screws on each side. Be careful not to over tighten.

NOTES

  • When choosing mount position attempt to install the mounts so that they are near the middle of the scope tubes and not where the scope tube flares out.
  • Always ensure that the mount and rifle's position do not obstruct the smooth working action of your bolt-action or impede any multi-shot magazine cartridge.  
  • Tighten the top clamps on your mount rings so the gaps between the top and base parts of the mounts are even on both sides.
  • If you've purchased a scope with the mounts already fitted, then make sure to loosen the ring screws before installing the mounts on the rifle base.
  • If when mounted you find the scope's initial aim to be far off zero, then start again from fresh.  If you still have issues of alignment then consult the troubleshooting guide, or purchase a s set of adjustable mounts.

SCREW TENSION

When tightening the ring and base screws on your mounts ensure all screws are tightened to an even torque setting.  A "finger tight" torque setting can be achieved by tightening the screws fully with the long length of the supplied hex key, then by giving a quarter turn with the short length of the hex key.  For a more precise torque setting follow the guidance supplied with the mounts, or use the following amounts:

  • Ring cap screws should be set to 16 inch pounds (1.33 ft/lbs or 1.8 nm)
  • Base screws should be set to 30 inch pounds (2.5 ft/lbs or 3.4 nm)

Please note that through guidance of this article Hawke Optics accept no liability for damaged riflescopes, mounts or equipment as a result of following these steps.  These instructions are as a reference only.

Related Articles