Do you use a scope level to keep your rifle level?

[Broz]

I think the latest discussion on this topic greatly depends on a few factors that vary from what one shooter might be thinking to another. They are distance, if you are dialing turrets and if you will be shooting prone while hunting with every place you take a shot from being different terrain. If am taking a 800 yard shot, dialed up 14 moa and prone on a hillside, the level just became a very needed tool for my best attempt at a good first round shot placement.
I understand muscle memory but you can not be consistant when you shoot from different shooting positions all the time evenif they are all prone shots. In the terrain I hunt in mountains the reticle never looks level to the sight picture even when the level says it is. At 400 yards not a big deal, at 1000, I insist on a level.
Jeff

[1Hunter]

I agree. Well said.

[Len Backus]

This is a long thread and I don't remember if the following has been stated, maybe even by me.

Approximate with a very flat shooting rifle:



If you cant your rifle 6 degrees, similar to one minute on the face of a clock, you introduce 12 inches of horizontal error at 700 yards. If my math is wrong feel free to correct.

[Lefty7mmstw]

Originally Posted by Len Backus

This is a long thread and I don't remember if the following has been stated, maybe even by me.

Approximate with a very flat shooting rifle:



If you cant your rifle 6 degrees, similar to one minute on the face of a clock, you introduce 12 inches of horizontal error at 700 yards. If my math is wrong feel free to correct.

There are many variances here. Degree of cant, scope height above bore, range scope is zero'd at. There really isn't a way to go beyond rule of thumb on this and say you WILL have x amount of drift for 1 degree cant.
I still don't use a level as I spot and stalk and usually shoot within a couple of seconds from sitting when I see a target. I don't use a high mount or sight for extreme range, as with what I shoot I can zero at 250 and hold higher as far out as I'd want to drag a critter.

[Len Backus]

Approximate

....

[Broz]

Originally Posted by Lefty7mmstw

I still don't use a level as I spot and stalk and usually shoot within a couple of seconds from sitting when I see a target. I don't use a high mount or sight for extreme range, as with what I shoot I can zero at 250 and hold higher as far out as I'd want to drag a critter.

In my opinion this is not long range hunting / shooting. If you were to crank up your turret for a long shot out there at 800 or 1000 and was to induce the 1 degree cant that Len is talking about you would see the levels are needed. That simple. For stalking in tight areas and a 200 to 300 yards shot, then no you don't need one. The levels are for long range and very necessary.

Jeff

[Len Backus]

Broz, I think you meant 6 degrees, same as one minute on the clock.