• Deadeye Precision Scope Leveler

    For many years, I have been leveling scopes by a very similar method. I always try to find a spot on the rifle usually near the tang or across the base where I place a small line level. This is usually a decent way to level out the rifle. However often times there are some difficulties finding the right spot and it is usually a problem to keep the level in place.I then line up the crosshairs on a plumb line on a piece of white paper pinned to the wall across the room. This works pretty well but as mentioned the level is the often a problem.

    This little leveling device is very handy as it is attached to a thin flat bar allowing you to attach it with a thick rubber band directly to the scope base itself.

    I was easily able to sneak the level under my low mounted scope and catch just enough of the front base to get a firm and consistent grip; this made it extremely easy to rotate my 112BVSS into a level position. The device also was a snap to mount across the mounting rail on my AR15 Varminter. Both of these attachments were made in a matter of seconds.

    In place of my old-fashioned plumb line, the Deadeye system includes an easy to adjust vertical bar with a small level permanently attached to the top. It is approximately 14” tall and comes with a sturdy plastic base. There are two adjustment screws in the rear and a fixed point attached to the front base for a quick triangulation adjustment to bring the post into plumb. It is not necessary to adjust carefully for plumb fore and aft, as the side-to-side setting is all you will need. I crosschecked both the vertical post and the base level with levels and a protractor that I have and know to be good. Both components proved equal to my levels and were within ½ to 1 deg. of the protractor. I am quite sure that I will be as close to square as I have ever been in mounting of a scope using this system.



    Actual Setup and use:
    As previously mentioned the setup of the level on the rifle is a breeze. The vertical post also proved to be quite easy to level out, taking less than 30 seconds. The post will require a bucket or additional table so you have something to rest it on. I used my wives sewing table as it was handy and I was indoors. She never knew it so please keep it under your hats. Sighting in on the right side of the post at low magnification took only a few seconds. Rotating the crosshair for vertical alignment took only a few seconds more. Then out came the torx wrench and the snugging up of the screws. After a final check with the post and verifying all was well a final tightening of the screws was done.



    And there you have it; simple and quick.

    My way versus the Deadeye way:
    As both my way and the Deadeye way of aligning a scope are virtually the same, I will compare my way to their way just to show the similarity and the problems of each way.

    Why I never thought of the simple idea of strapping a rubber band around my line level I will never know. I guess that is what separates the Edison’s from the rest of us Joes. It was difficult to get a good perspective shot to show both bubbles here but if you look real close you can see a variation between the two. You may also notice a slight gap on the right side of my line level. This shows that a shim will be required under the line level adding even more frustration to getting it just right and not falling on the floor, (any body got a decent rubber band?). I have to give this one to the Deadeye system; it took all of five seconds to set the Deadeye level. As my equipment shows, it is level.

    As for the vertical post versus my humble whiteboard, there is no discernible difference. I placed this whiteboard on my wall across the hall from my gun room AKA laboratory at about 20 feet from my bench. I took a good four-foot level and struck a plumb line through the center with a black marker. Done, took all of five minutes and has served me well for a number of years. Downside is you need a wall. This will not work very well out in the yard or at the range. Now you could always take a level or plumb bob with you to the range and fiddle with all of that while other people want to shoot. Therefore, I think the Deadeye system would have the edge if you do not have the room or the place to use the whiteboard technique.

    The Deadeye system is a handy and well thought out setup. It is quick and easy to use. I would recommend it to anyone who handles a large number of rifle scopes on a regular basis. That would apply to many of our fellow site members here at Savage Shooters.


    Contact Information
    http://www.deadeye2.com
    PrecisionProducts@deadeye2.com
    501-505-8260

    Order Dept. phone number is: 501-505-8910
    Call this number anytime, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.






    Comments 9 Comments
    1. yobuck's Avatar
      yobuck -
      Hotcakes, they will sell like hotcakes.
    1. J.Baker's Avatar
      J.Baker -
      They probably did 13 years ago when they first hit the market and that review was written. lol
    1. yobuck's Avatar
      yobuck -
      Quote Originally Posted by J.Baker View Post
      They probably did 13 years ago when they first hit the market and that review was written. lol
      Just shows how anxious i am to keep abreast of all the great gotta have new stuff dosen't it. lol
    1. J.Baker's Avatar
      J.Baker -
      LOL Guess so!

      I was going through the back pages of the site yesterday and noticed a lot of the old articles that I transferred over when we made the switch to the vBulletin software didn't have comments enabled, so when I enabled them it automatically creates these comment threads for the comments to go into.
    1. ToolAA's Avatar
      ToolAA -
      I didn’t know about the precision scope leveler, but if you want to get real precise and you have a machinist level here is a good method. I was taught this buy a gunsmith in my area. While these tools probably cost about $100 you have a set of tools that can be very usefull for things other than leveling your optics.


      A thick parallel bar or any straight steel bar can be used to create a reference plane parallel to the top of the rail. I used a pair of 123 blocks to rest the level above the scope and balanced above the breech. I loosely aligned the scope using the top of the elevation turret as a reference.



      Then once you have thing close you can use a flashlight to shine light through the front of the scope. This will project the reticle backwards. LIse a plumb line to create an accurate reference and then tighten the screws on the scope rings. You may have to adjust the postion of the rifle if it tilts from level, but you should be able to keep the vertical element of the reticle perfectly alligned with the string.




      Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    1. yobuck's Avatar
      yobuck -
      Depends on wether you wear just a belt, or both a belt and suspenders to hold up your pants. lol
      NOTE, that I'm not saying it's wrong, to go to such extremes when mounting a scope.
      But after over 60 years of using them, including a considerable amount of extreme distance shooting with them, i do question the necessity.
    1. Stumpkiller's Avatar
      Stumpkiller -
      If your eye is good enough to spot when the bubble is level they are probably good enough to spot when the reticle is vertical compared to a plumb line that has also been bore-sited. With almost zero investment in equipment (string & a small weight).

      But gadgets are more fun.

      I like the back-light concept ToolAA described/showed. I use a similar method to make sure the wings and horizontal stab of my model RC aircraft are square to each other.
    1. ToolAA's Avatar
      ToolAA -
      Quote Originally Posted by yobuck View Post
      Depends on wether you wear just a belt, or both a belt and suspenders to hold up your pants. lol
      NOTE, that I'm not saying it's wrong, to go to such extremes when mounting a scope.
      But after over 60 years of using them, including a considerable amount of extreme distance shooting with them, i do question the necessity.
      You are right there is always more than one way to skin a cat. It’s also easy to get carried away when doing things. A good machinist level is valuable tool. In my case I use those machinist tools in the shop for other things. I was trying to avoid buying another gadget.


      Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    1. yobuck's Avatar
      yobuck -
      [QUOTE=ToolAA;429722]You are right there is always more than one way to skin a cat. It’s also easy to get carried away when doing things. A good machinist level is valuable tool. In my case I use those machinist tools in the shop for other things. I was trying to avoid buying another gadget.

      Well i would agree that if your going to spend the extra time, then at least use good tools and not just some junk somebody sells.
      A line level is not intended for precise work, but good enough for its intended use, or even leveling up an RV so that the fridge works properly.
      Crazy as it sounds especially coming from me, i do carry a 12" torpedo level for leveling my shooting bench when hunting, and yes we always shoot from a bench. Again its not a precise level, and a line level would work also, but better than an eyeball when leveling the thing up on uneven terrain.
      Sort of the same line of thinking as is the cross hairs being off, but what good are perfectly plumb cross hairs if the gun is resting on something that isn't level?
      Yes yes in know, those other gadgets that stick out on the side of the scope that your supposed to be paying attention to while your shooting at the first deer you've gotten to shoot at in a few years, with a sharp rock poking into your belly. lol