Unless your scope is properly mounted, pretty much all of your skill and effort will go in vain. Even the slightest misalignment between the scope and the bore of your rifle will cause the bullet not to hit where the reticle is aimed, and there is no way you can achieve the pin-point accuracy you want. So, learning how to mount your LPVO is a really fundamental skill. Fortunately, it is not too complex or complicated. Let’s discuss four efficient steps on how to mount your LPVO to be sturdy, accurate, and effective when you go out.

PART ONE: WHY MUST YOUR LPVO BE PROPERLY MOUNTED？

When it comes to mounting an LPVO, you cannot even think of adopting a trial-and-error approach. You must take the time to learn how to do it properly because the consequences of using a loosely mounted LPVO could be immense.

1. Loss of Accuracy: If your scope isn't mounted correctly, the rifle will shoot inaccurately. As mentioned before, even the slightest misalignments can result in the point of impact being off by several inches. At longer distances, you might start to miss woefully.
2. No Shot Consistency: A scope that is not securely mounted may shift slightly with each shot, making your shot placement inconsistent. By mounting your scope properly, you eliminate variables like scope movement and ensure that your rifle consistently shoots in the same place.
3. Zeroing Issues: With an improperly mounted scope, it is practically impossible for you to maintain zero. Any movement or misalignment during handling (or due to recoil) will cause the point of impact to shift. In contrast, using a proper rifle mount ensures that zero remains intact even when the scope is not in use.
4. Scope Damage: An improperly mounted scope that consistently shifts due to recoil is likely to end up damaged. We could be talking anything from minor scratches to more severe issues like bending the tube or damaged internal components.
5. Eye Relief Problems: This is arguably the most severe consequence of an improperly mounted scope because it could potentially cause direct injury to you. If the scope is too close, you risk “scope bite” (getting hit in the face by the scope due to recoil). If it's too far, you may struggle to see the entire field of view, making it harder to aim. Correctly mount the scope and ensure that the scope is positioned at the right distance from your eye, preventing scope bite.
6. Aesthetic and Professionalism: An improperly mounted scope just makes you look amateurish and unprofessional. If you are involved in professional or competitive shooting environments, ensuring that your scope is mounted level, aligned, and securely attached is a great way to communicate your seriousness about your equipment and performance.

PART TWO: MOUNTING YOUR LPVO

STEP ONE: PREPARE ALL ITEMS

Proper preparation prevents poor performance. Before you do anything, carefully collect and bring together all the objects and tools that will be used during the process. Most of these items should have been supplied when you purchased your LPVO. Line up the following objects and tools and have them within arm’s reach:

• The LPVO
• Gun mount
• Torque wrench
• Level tool
• Screwdrivers, etc.

Pro Tips

• Leveling is a crucial part of this process. Start by using your level tool to make sure the surface on which you will do the mounting is not uneven or lopsided.
• Also, it is ill-advised to do this on a soft surface like a carpet, which may wobble or give way under some pressure. Find a firm, level surface to use as a foundation for the upcoming steps. This will save you the stress of having to do and redo steps further down the line.

STEP TWO: LEVEL THE MOUNT AND FIREARM

Your LPVO cannot be mounted directly onto the firearm without a rifle mount. In this step, you will use the mount to position your LPVO directly over your rifle’s bore axis. Ideally, you should use whatever gun mount comes with your LPVO. If not, cantilevers and extend mounts are very common, but it is advised to consider the specific make and model of the LPVO and your firearm in order to pick the right mount. Follow these steps:

• Using your level tool, ensure the gun mount is level.
• Then, carefully place your firearm into the mount. It is important here to operate with care. Carefully align the mount with the rail and use the provided hardware (screws and/or bolts) to tighten the mount in place.

Almost done. Now, meticulously level the firearm in both directions. Make sure the mount is firmly attached, with no movement on any side.

STEP THREE: CHOOSE AND LEVEL THE LPVO

In this step, your objective is to keep the entire structure firm and steady. To do that, you need to firmly key the LPVO onto the stand and the firearm. This step is important for the sturdiness of the entire structure and, in the long run, the accuracy of your shots. Follow these steps:

• Place the LPVO: Place the LPVO onto the mount, making sure the mounting slots and bolts on the LPVO are aligned with their corresponding holes and slots on the mount. This process will be rather straightforward if you had been successful in step 2 and the LPVO is level and properly aligned with the mount. If necessary, use the mount's adjustment features (e.g., tilt, cant, or elevation) to fine-tune the LPVO's position.

Pro Tip

If you have to, use a speed square to ensure the optic is level in the mount.

• Position the Eyepiece: Position the eyepiece properly, ensuring that it is a good distance from your eyes and that it provides proper eye relief. There is no general standard for proper eye relief. Determine what measure is comfortable to you based on your body size and your preferred shooting position. It should come naturally when you get into a shooting stance.
• Proper Alignment: Ensure that your LPVO is perfectly aligned with the bore axis of the firearm. The reticle should be centered and parallel to the barrel.
• Double-Check: Double-check all connections and make sure the LPVO is safely and securely attached.

STEP FOUR: FINAL ADJUSTMENTS AND LEVELING

Final adjustments and leveling may be the most important part of the process of mounting LPVOs. This step helps you notice any mistakes that might have been made in the process.

After mounting, sight in the LPVO. Sighting in the LPVO means you adjust the windage and elevation settings in order to make sure the reticle aligns with the point of impact at zero range.

Let's break this down and make it simpler:

• Zero Range: The zero range is the distance at which your firearm's point of aim (the reticle) and point of impact (where the bullet hits) are perfectly aligned. Zero range may vary depending on the kind of firearm you are using, but most LPVOs typically have zero ranges of between 25 yards, 50 yards, or 100 yards.
• Windage and Elevation Adjustment: Windage adjustment is the horizontal adjustment knob on your LPVO, which allows you to move the reticle left or right. Elevation adjustment is the vertical adjustment knob, and it allows you to move the reticle up or down.
• Sighting—In: Sighting a rifle means you take a few random test shots at a target placed at zero range. Sighting in is how professionals confirm that the reticle is now aligned with the point of impact and that the windage and elevation adjustments made are appropriate.

Continue adjusting until you are able to consistently hit the target without any issues.

And there you go! The mount is complete, the test is done, and the process is over! You will need to mount your rifle many times, so it is crucial to master this process. If it proves to be too complicated on the first try, be patient, take your time, and progress slowly. Feel free to return to this guide as often as you need to.

BRAND RECOMMENDATION: GUNNR

Experts and experienced gun users agree that mounting your LPVO is much more enjoyable when mingled with the excitement of using a top-quality LPVO. Gunnr is a newly launched brand of gun accessories and currently has some of the best LPVOs on the market. Check out Gunnr's official website for high-quality gear, the latest gun equipment and accessories, market trends, and other useful information for your journey as a shooter.