How to Properly Mount a Scope Presented by Larry Potterfield | MidwayUSA Gunsmithing

[@edwinrcorbin2579]

I am 68 years old, have hunted all my life and I desperately wanted to mount my own scope this time around. I used your video step by step to get the job done. It took me all day, but I did finally finish thanks to this extremely well done video. Not too much detail and good ole boy, chit chat. Just the facts and that was what I wanted. I mounted a Leupold VX Freedom 3-9X40 onto a Weatherby Vanguard rifle in .223 caliber. Thank you for helping me!

[@buddybbuddyb3687]

i hope you are still enjoying hunting

[@michaelbailey7472]

L

[@johnnyboy5976]

Now I just need 13 other products to put my scope on my rifle. Sweet. Almost there.

[@aletzr]

$500 scope turned into $1500 scope in few simple steps

[@joelstolarski2244]

LOL

[@rooftopvoter3015]

@@aletzr Next up: Lathe and Bridgeport machine, get electrician to rewire house to take the new load; yep, it was easy. Thanks, Larry!!

[@milboltnut]

@@aletzr well he does own midway, what do you expect?

[@mossranchoutdoors7249]

@@rooftopvoter3015 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@toms6932]

I was always told a level cap doesn't = a level reticle. I use a plumb line and turn my scope to that since gravity has never not shown me true vertical. It's always good to learn other methods. Alot of good info in this lesson. Thank you

[@dennyallen5914]

This is the best coment ive seen on here, i never thought about that but is a very good point!

[@bassfan71]

This is what I learned as well.

[@davidcudlip6587]

A plumb line is a great idea for reticle leveling. Will be mounting a new scope shortly.

[@RichardEnglander]

I was thinking about this exact thing, you have the low tech infallible solution. How do you ensure that the rifle is exactly perpendicular too?

[@Dave-zb9dq]

So far this has been the only post, that actually demonstrates scope mounting. Thanks David

[@s0nnyburnett]

Glad that was nice and simple.

[@bubthewub]

lol

[@Frank-il3kt]

😂

[@JS-te4gz]

😂

[@ศุภฤกษ์ช่วงวงหล้า]

ยย

[@shadyabu-raya6751]

😄

[@ricflair2779]

After reading some of these comments, I’m confident if I scroll down far enough I’ll see one that says, “hell, the best way to mount a scope is to have 8 or 9 beers before you get started”

[@kyuzo26]

Well that’s how we do it… i guess this way of Larry is for the conscious one’s wonder why they missing shots or poor eye sight 😅

[@alexandercluster3003]

Wooo

[@dslife1]

😂

[@bobbylaskar6489]

A perfect mounting is most important part for a perfect long range shot .... thanks for the video...

[@BrianHansford]

One of the best instructional scope mount videos on KZbin, by far. Excellent details. I purchased the scope mount kit in this video to mount a new leupold on my weatherby and it was very useful.

[@TriangleSquare52]

Awesome channel, makes me miss 2014 so much compared to now

[@frederickdavis5536]

That is the best video on the web for mounting a rifle scope. That is exactly how it should be done. Thank you Mr. Potterfield.

[@dukeman7595]

Larry you're one of our best advocates and square dealing in your business practices thank you..

[@TheCentralflorida]

I need to put gas in my car. Larry: "we are going to use our leveling ramps made by Ford. Then we use our petrol filtration trickle feeder to make the gas flow evenly to avoid damaging the inside of the gas tank. Now we torque the gas cap using our gas cap torquing thingamajig. "

[@terranovnicek1567]

This is so accurate I love it

[@billy-1726]

lovely

[@nonofyourbusinessnonofyour5435]

C Burkens sweet

[@HeWhoHath]

C Burkens You just used an analogy to say everything I wanted to say about this video.

[@TheCentralflorida]

@@HeWhoHath I put my scope on in about 10 minutes and sighted in about 30. ......including walking. Some good tips but this felt like overkill. Haha

[@averyst7]

Larry you never cease to amaze me. Believe it or not, but because of your concise and most excellent videos, your generosity to the NRA and the Amazon-like rating system that gives a buyer a true plumb line to how well a product works, I almost never shop anywhere else. You are one of my heros and your professionalism bleeds out of everything you do. I pray you and your family have a very Happy New Year and may God grant you even more prosperity this year than ever...

[@PNWT3ch]

I agree, Larry is a professional intent on sharing how a procedure should be done professionally. Well done and thanks for sharing your knowledge! BTW the wheeler engineering kit can be had for under a hundred bucks.

[@appalachiangunman9589]

Dan Arnold I need one of those barrel levels, I have a scope level I got from Midway I think it’s called “The Tank” it’s just a little short chunk of steel that weighs a ton! I do have the Fat Wrench, which is a very handy tool to have around when you’re mounting scopes.

[@fathdboy2000]

BEST how to video on scope mounting I have ever seen......

[@VIKING-SON]

I recently mounted a scope to one of my rifles. This was my very first time doing it. Over the years I acquired most of the tools needed to accomplish a professional install. My one concern was lapping the rings. Which I didn't think I needed to but found out differently. Note it was a Cantilever type design milled from billet aluminum. Also it was a popular brand not a knock off from some fly by night company. With that said lapping revealed inconsistency in finish and alignment. So I learned valuable lesson by lapping any set of scope mounts. I highly recommend lapping on all types of rings, and mounts to confirm surface inconsistency and alignment. Want to thank Midway with providing all of us with some great video's. You have helped this novice scope mounting shooter accomplish a professional job. Note I was a master automotive mechanic for 35 years. I applied some of that gained knowledge to my novice gunsmithing skills along with 25 years in the Army. Sincerely Arni Shook Retired CWO US Army RINGS AND MOUNTS PRO EXTENDED CANTILEVER MOUNT 30 MM

[@stevetroiano4695]

Finally someone who puts it CLEAR and CONCISE, Thank you

[@Kryptonite357]

As always, excellent video and explanation. Your video and commentary with the leveling kit was better than the video from the manufacturer of the kit. Thanks for all you do.

[@SAVAGE308SNIPER]

I've always just mounted the damn scope and fired rounds downrange until my crosshair adjustments hit bullseye

[@1984WillS]

good luck with that at long ranges

[@John_Redcorn_]

@Bantham Nobilis bullshit. You arent hitting vitals on a deer at 400yrds with irons

[@justinnash1602]

@@John_Redcorn_ I can, if you don't believe me I don't know what to say. I guess you could stand down range and verify?

[@John_Redcorn_]

@@justinnash1602 we know you’re lying. Just stop. You’re embarassing yourself. Your front sight post completely covers your target long before 400yrds

[@donttrip7246]

@@John_Redcorn_ aye I know Justin he’s a good shot don’t be jealous

[@deweywidener6909]

This man is GOOD at what he does. Any job worth doing is worth doing right!!!!

[@TheStratman007]

This is an outstanding professionally polished presentation. This is a public quality instructional video with no coaching required. I am impressed.

[@terryjones7311]

Great video Larry. I will get my new scope mounted right after I build my new complete gunsmithing workshop. I'll probably have to get a second job too.

[@Hothenrik]

You don't need a "gunsmithing shop" to mount a scope successfully. I know, as I did it all by myself, sitting on my living room floor. Just took some time and patience and a few simple tools. 👍

[@StrBADCyperIgwt]

Thanks Larry, Professional Job as always, that's why I love dealing with you Folks. Do it right the first time, that's always been my Motto.

[@whispergb]

Thanks for an excellent video. For all of my life, I've bought the parts and screwed them onto my firearms. Every time I've done that, I've wondered about the manufacturing precision of factory machined parts and what might be the steps and processes that would improve fit and alignment. For those who want a high level of precision, Larry does a great job of going through the process, step-by-step. I priced the tools in this video from several sources and they seem comparatively inexpensive when compared to the cost of a well built rifle, scope, base and rings.

[@ColonizerChan]

Mhm, it’s nice to see what the process is to properly mount a scope

[@wadehove8584]

It is a good video explanation. Except he implies that all screws can be torqued to the same value. 30 in-lbs was to much for my Leupold model seven scope base screws. Waiting on new screws now… sucks

[@bigredc222]

I was thinking it would be nice if there was a way to rent some of these tools that only get used once every ten or twenty years.

[@bigredc222]

@Pedro Paramo Easily $100.

[@zan917]

"Let me show you how to do it. Step 1: Take it to a gunsmith..."

[@nbhissong]

HA HA HA HA

[@richardmata4889]

Bro after watching this video I went straight to the comments and when it played again automatically the guy said it exactly when I was reading “let me show...” and then your comment had me dying so hard I fell on the ground 😂😂☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️

[@islandchief2572]

😂🤣😂

[@jorgea3507]

LMAO!, after a few minutes my thoughts exactly...lol!

[@jordanali7689]

😂😂😂 i love this one!!!

[@millieatr]

When Larry was 5 years old he ask his dad "Is there some way I can lighten the trigger on my cap gun "?

[@bjwhite5546]

Best comment on here man, lol.

[@alshurden6328]

Ui

[@stevenpham1961]

No at 5yrs old Larry showed his dad how to lighten the trigger on his cap guns. Then he taught him to dope the scope too!

[@harleydavidson8380]

😂

[@ericschroeder2951]

Welp, I've been doing this wrong for years lol. I'm inspired to see what kind of long range I can achieve with these techniques. I am probably not getting the full potential out of my expensive gear. Thanks Grandpa Larry.

[@whiskeyjoe40]

Great video Larry! It's always a pleasure to watch you work.

[@tomn5880]

I use this method on every rifle build I do. I then chamber laser sight using my shooting bench in the garage. I make a custom measured zero target and mark the 50 yard trajectory for the caliber of the rifle. I then fine tune the zero on the outdoor range at 100 yards. After doing this, the rifles are aim point out to 235 yards. Thank you Mr. Potterfield and thank you for your service.

[@limjahey3119]

I like Mr. Potterfield. Wholesome wealth of knowledge without the pompous tactical tough guy act.

[@kirbyshumay3577]

you are the man Larry,thanks for all your videos.

[@davemiller4852]

My main question in watching the video was to determine the correct inch pounds to torque down on both upper and lower rings. Larry you were the only one to mention it, thank you..

[@TheLyingFigure]

The manufacturer will usually specify as it will vary slightly between products based on how it is designed and the material used.

[@timhofstetter5654]

As usual, a super-simplistic approach that doesn't cover any of the non-mainstream cases.

[@tindoortailgator]

Having the proper tools to do the job right the first time, Thanks Larry

[@ditzydoo4378]

You needn't use an off-set front ring if you had simply reversed the front and rear bases to narrow the mounting position of the scope. This also put the scope in a forward attitude to prevent scope bit. A technic I've used over the years to prevent contact rust and corrosion between the rifle and bases as well as the ring and scope is to line and trim Blue painters tape between the contact points once the alignment is true. the adhesive will bleed through the paper tape once under pressure and ensure moister never becomes trapped between the metal parts. This will prevent corrosion, slipping, or scaring of the metal surfaces.

[@yaboitallman8290]

While hunting rifles are absolutely beautiful pieces of art, I have to say that picatinny rails are easier to mount a scope on.

[@mott1992]

most hunting rifles today have provisions for one-piece scope mounts including picatinny rails. Entering the 21st century and no longer have to pay a gunsmith for all these crazy steps you see in this video.

[@bryanrutan8445]

I just used this kit to install a scope over the weekend. By using the kit I was on bullseye within four shots. I would recommend this tool set very highly.

[@MrGrxxx123]

This is the correct & professional way to mount a scope. This way doesn't harm the scope .or rifle. I'd like to have the level 😁👍

[@lr6884]

Very informative and detailed, but I couldn't help feeling like I wasn't being shown how to mount a scope so much as getting a sales pitch for a lot of tools.

[@Luis.M.Castillo]

+Darryl Villamor capitalism.

[@mrcaboosevg6089]

I mean, all of this can be done with basic tools too. But if you have a shed full of tools like this guy, you're gonna use them

[@Bent099]

I will say the fat wrench is a worth while investment.

[@BacklTrack]

You'll at least want the torque wrench so you can dial that in

[@alexgolovchenko3791]

What great craftsmanship and technical expertise! I learned a lot watching this video. Thank you. 🤓

[@eaznutts5714]

I used these same tools to level a cheap Amazon scope. After spending the time to make the turret and barrel levels perfect, torqing the screws, i looked through the scope and the reticals were about 10° off plumb and level. Disassembled everything and reinstalled, same thing happened. Gotta love cheap manufacturing. Wound up drawing a plumb line with marker on piece paper taped to the wall to match up the vertical retical with. Short of that the 50.00 "PINTY" 4-16x40 from Amazon has really been a great "cheapo" scope.

[@SergeiTheAnarch]

And here I was just putting the rings on a weaver mount...

[@Dunklin83]

Exactly!!

[@konpadelic]

awesome, I can watch you work all day

[@MsArzu333]

sir, I am inspired by your beautiful smile and good manners, your polite way of talking and teaching as well. Faisal Rahim from Pakistan

[@biobob52]

Sweet, this makes perfectly good sense much the same way that LINE BORING for a new Cam Shaft install. Keeps every thing in un stressed alignment . Thanks Larry.

[@TheCustomEverythingChannel]

Dang takes mounting a scope to a whole new level

[@nickhorton785]

Now, how did grandpa do this without all the fancy widgets :)

[@nonofyourbusinessnonofyour5435]

Nick Horton good question

[@nonofyourbusinessnonofyour5435]

Nick Horton all of the sudden we need all these fancy tools

[@TwoBitty]

Let me cut it down to simple for you, you’ll need 2 levels, a screwdriver, and a big wrench. Unscrew the mounting caps, put in your mount system, wrench on the front bracket. Sand the insides of the brackets to avoid scratching and low spots, then level the brackets to each other. Install your scope, level the gun by placing 1 level on the barrel or mounting cap, then place another on the top of the scope. Once it’s all level just tighten down the mounting bracket and take it to the range to zero it in and make any adjustments.

[@michaelphillips8055]

He used a lot of ammo getting the scope sighted in

[@travisritzman6772]

@@TwoBitty . He didn't say this is how to do it cheap and dirty. He said this is how to do it properly.

[@josephscottgarrett]

What average guy has all the tools laying around to follow these instructions? I certainly don't. I want to do it the correct way, but I don't mount enough scopes to justify buying a whole toolbox full of tools to do so. It's a great video for the people who can justify buying the tools needed.

[@davidlotti5407]

Good video ! It takes patience an the right tools to mount a scope but it is really worth it. So many times on hunting videos you see a bad case of scope eye from poorly mounted scopes! Properly mounted scopes lead to better accuracy.

[@killerdudebro8393]

I knew that raised eyebrow after "let me show you how to do it" was letting me know that this was not going to be easy for me. thanks for the awesome video.

[@MrGuitars8]

Thank you for Another Wonderful and Fantastic Video.

[@sargetheshelterdog8291]

Excellent video. I'm new to high power rifles. Never used a scope. Now I have a Weatherby .270, I need one. No other videos do they oil first. Nice touch.

[@vacayooper4728]

Well I have two takes on this. Do it with no fancy tools, just be careful and it works. I also bought these tools years ago for about $100 and used them the lapping tool and torque wrench are good to have and makes for a good solid scope installation. So do what makes you comfortable. Oh, and learn to shoot. You can always argue with a procedure but you cant argue with results.

[@betopatino5114]

Thank You , Larry. I really enjoy and learn a lot from your tutorial videos. Every thing I order regarding Hunting or Gunsmithing is from Midwayusa. Thank's

[@ThePatriotParadox]

Love this... Just watching your work is so simple yet informative and almost as good as ASMR lol

[@wallacejeffery5786]

Good video. I have this same gun made in 55. Very accurate

[@tyronealwin1975]

This guy could teach me chemistry and I would be excited! Great work.

[@higherkite]

Mind has been blown. Id feel like the kid wearing a hockey helmet on the short bus standing next to this guy.

[@holgerdanske3960]

Really great instructions. The effort which has to applied to install the mount answers me my question why European scope manucfactorer uses rail systems. This makes scopes much easier to install and prevent damage on the scope body after removing the rings. But again great instructions. 👍

[@deepaksoni340]

Love your work " The purity and the perfection great job dear sir 🙏" your fan from India. Eager to learn more from you always.

[@chrisclark5204]

I never even thought about lapping the rings. Great information.

[@mopar21]

Leupold does not recommend it.

[@mopar21]

@@steveo1240 in their manuals that say lapping is not required or recommended lol. Call and ask them.

[@rooftopvoter3015]

@@mopar21 Rings are cast, not machined so there will be inaccuracies. Lapped some awhile back, big difference.

[@mopar21]

@@rooftopvoter3015 not all of them.

[@ec7888]

I love these videos so much. So informative.

[@achigurh88]

to help reduce the possibility of screw interference with the bolt, realize that machining and engineering standards usually call for the length of the screw to be at least 1.5X the nominal diameter of the screw + whatever offset is present. Anything less will cause issues when vibration is present.

[@MrDan1509]

Only takes 3 treads to hold.. That being said, 3 threads are better than 6..

[@MrJdebest]

This scope mounting is 100% bang on . Personally I do it without lapping the rings because CNC machining is so good , I trust the rings to be concentric. Also I don't use a torque screwdriver, I depend on my sense of feel. The 2 level set $$, a couple of small levels will suffice. 1 level across the receiver and one on the top scope cap. A MTM rifle rest is very helpful in doing this job. If you have the money, get all the tools and enjoy doing it like a pro.

[@daviddeeds4622]

Excellent explanation of how to do it right

[@jevadajones1645]

Perfect perfect perfect and easy to set up!👍🏾

[@thedeester100]

You should level the scope against a plumb line. The reticle inside the scope may be slightly off. Level the gun and then check the vertical hair against a plum line down range.

[@samrichmond9709]

Larry is “the man”!

[@rayclements5805]

Very nice work

[@bksullivan06]

$230 on Amazon for that exact vise, ring alignment kit and reticle leveling kit. Add another $70 for a decent boresighter and you're at $300. You can buy that and start charging people to mount and set their scopes. If you charged $75 (which is cheap), the parts pay for themselves after 4 jobs. Not a bad deal.

[@mott1992]

gun stores generally charge $25-$50 for scope mount and boresight jobs.

[@katalinakrew8865]

Its $85 on Amazon for the vise now

[@ricflair2779]

And I feel so much smarter now after being told that the guy, who’s business is selling gun things, is “out to sell some things”. I wish I had that kind of intellect to make such razor sharp observations

[@FineArtsTeacher]

Masterful description and explanation!

[@josedelacuadra660]

Very informative video. Good investment to spend on an expensive rifle and scope to enjoy your hunting experience.

[@peteshour768]

Mr. Potterfield, you are my first choice for do-it-yourself Gunsmithing.

[@kassilewis5511]

Great video....but this is why i use Burris signature rings with pos-align inserts. No need for lapping, cancels majority of any windage or vertical misalignment of the bases to bore line and gives more clamping surface area.

[@snowblind9065]

me too...Burris got it right with ring inserts wish the other manufactures would follow suit

[@MRrandory]

Always Learn a lot of you Larry! Thanks heaps!

[@limjahey3119]

If you have a gun vise and blue Loctite, all you need is the alignment kit and the leveling kit. I got each for $40 on Midway, along with the wrench for $13. Me and my dad mount a lot of scopes together so its worth it to spend time with him.

[@bradprather6749]

Great Information. Thanks. I love the leveling system.

[@penssuck6453]

If I shot super long distance or professionally, I would follow this advice to a tee. Frankly, for my shooting purposes, I'll be skipping the lapping and alignment kit stuff and the lathing process. I will use a torque wrench and blue Locktite though. I will also use small levels to level the scope with the rifle vertically and horizontally. And while this part is outside the scope of the video, it's best to have your sighting-in target -- whether it's at 25 or 50 yards -- at the same height as your barrel height. You can ballpark that level, or just use your body as measuring stick and mark where the barrel reaches your body, and then go place your target at that level.

[@Tula1940_LB]

Okay.... To the comments saying that it's a marketing thing... He is showing how to professionally mount a scope. Do you need all this stuff to mount a scope? Maybe not but he is showing how to get maximum quality and accuracy.

[@aaronburnsworth4553]

I'm glad I got to finally see a mature comment from someone who actually realizes what the purpose of the video is... thank you sir!

[@Gottaculat]

Yeah, I'm going with a modern rail for my Enfield No.4 Mk1. Found one that lets me keep and use my irons, and using a quick detach mount (also rings base is milled from one piece) that lets me retain my zero. Modern meets old. Throwing a Primary Arms SLx 4-14x44mm FFP Rifle Scope on it. Paid $200 for my Enfield, so $200 for the optic seems reasonable. Base is $125, and the QD rings I still have yet to decide upon. Gonna maybe have me a 1,000 yard rifle for probably less than $600, which ain't bad. Not sure how .303 British will fare at such range, but I'll be quite happy even if it's accurate to 600-800 yards. Just a fun rifle, and maybe I'll take it hunting, too (at closer range, of course).

[@1911acolt1]

A lot of people ripping on the video..Truth is it can be done with less.However Larry is a gunsmith and is teaching you on doing it the best way.. If you cannot afford all the tools(I completely understand BTW)Then take the rifle to a gunsmith they will mount it in a similar fashion and it will be done correctly. I’ve seen really nice old bolt actions that have been stripped due to some guy in a garage mounting his scope to his nice model 70 Winchester and Forrest gumping his way though the process…And stripping out the holes in the receiver..

[@carlmay3396]

This video was fun to watch and you are a very knowledgeable guy Larry and make great videos, with that said almost no one does all that to put a scope on a rifle. Lapping the scope rings seems crazy unless you are trying to mount a scope a 50 calibre Barrett sniper rifle for 500+ yard shots. Anyway I don't want to sound negative I really like midway products and have always had a good experience buying from your store. Thanks for all you do.

[@butchgeagan9768]

Well done, as always.

[@bradbo3]

never knew there was so much to it. I just buy rings and scopes and put them on and sight them in. I wonder how much more accuracy I could achieve?

[@robertbrandywine]

At normal hunting ranges, practically none, but your scopes adjustments might not move the amount they are supposed to, which is no big deal.

[@jimmieqkids]

So basically I need to send it off to get it professionally done. I don't think regular folks have all these tools. Also, do the same rules apply if using a picatinny rail? Or is that a whole separate video?

[@kevinrobbin4684]

No call talley their rings dont need to be lapped like entry level rings like leupold which are ok, but need to be lapped to be perfectly alighned. They are the best for the money(talley), I mean u could spend 600 on eaw apel mounts , which also dont need to lap talley bases start at50 and go up to 160, same with their rings, point is for the money u would spend on all this slop, u can by a quality mount that doesnt need to be lapped.

[@borbors]

thanks for the info kev. i usually get the gunshop to do it for me coz they do it for free.

[@neillwente359]

gun vise, torque wrench, leveling device....that's it.

[@darthmusturd9526]

@@borbors get the gunshop to do it for you, since they wont break the scope. if they do they should replace it. they wont do that if you break the scope

[@jumpninthedarkalley]

Small brain

[@patthewoodboy]

Side focus scopes have a dot at the centre line by the focus adjuster , just line the slot in the mounting rings with that dot , job done

[@mrhamburger6936]

Larry potterfield reminds me of Mr Rogers from Mister Rogers neighborhood

[@joelstolarski2244]

Great video and easy to follow. Having a nice shop and all sorts of doodads to fix em, sure would be nice.

[@chansen9815]

i just accedently tripped upon this and i havnt even heard of larry potterfield since my early child hood

[@timbarnett3898]

I always thoughts mounts an scopes should have mounting notches mated together for proper rifle/scope alignment!

[@osmiumsoul9535]

I eyeballed mine to see it the crosshairs were vertical. I dont shoot any further than 150 yards, and i'm very satisfied.

[@rwmedic1987]

Great seeing the model 70. I have the matching sister to this gun in Win. .284...........can't find factory ammo for it anymore. Extremely fast and flat trajectory round.

[@jimmyday656]

This is why I'm nice to my local gunsmith

[@jamesdupuis7125]

Outstanding video ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@jackmoore6904]

Excellent video.

[@F0RUM155]

This guy is clearly on a different level

[@mastermighty]

scope cap and turrets are not always flat or level, better to use a plumb line to align the crosshairs

[@bobbythompson3544]

Class as usual.

[@missumom4732]

I love this guy work on guns

[@wadehove8584]

Well this is a good overall explanation. I found out the hard way that the torque values aren’t the same on all screws. 30 in-lbs was to much for my Leupold model 7 scope mount base screws. Sucks big time. 🙁