If you ask me, the biggest danger our rifle scopes face isn’t a cracked lens or faulty internals – it’s us. I’m willing to bet that mounting an optic improperly leads to more warranty claims than any other issue, and it’s probably by a wide margin.
Rifle scopes are precision instruments – our eyes and hands are not. Vortex Optics knows that, so they just released two new tools (and a snazzy new scope mount) to help all of us mount optics at home like a pro.
Let’s pop open the Pew Pew Tactical toolbox and give these a look!
Vortex Scope Mounting Tool Specs & Features
Specs
- Pro Torque Wrench Torque Range: 10-90 in-lb
- Pro Torque Wrench Bits: 9/64″ hex, 5/32″ hex, 3/16″ hex, 2mm hex, 2.5mm hex, 3mm hex, 4mm hex, 5mm hex, extended T-10, T-15, T-25, flathead, 1/2″ socket, 1/4″ adapter
- Pro Leveling Kit Components: Bubble level, spring-loaded bubble level
- Pro Leveling Kit Compatibility: Picatinny
- Sport Cantilever Mount Footprint: Picatinny
- Sport Cantilever Mount Tube Diameter: 30 mm, 1”
- MSRP:
Features
- Ensure your rifle and optic are both level
- Properly torque optic mounts from 10-90 in-lbs
- Use 30 mm and 1” optic tubes with a single mount
Up first is the new Vortex Pro Leveling Kit. This includes one small bubble level for your optic’s elevation turret (go ahead and take that cap off so it can sit on the turret itself) and one clip-on bubble level that mounts to a standard Picatinny rail.
This step is key because if your scope and rifle aren’t both level, your reticle’s holdovers and any adjustments you make will be inaccurate. If there’s any deviation, every adjustment you make will have an unintended effect on the other axis.
Next, we’ve got the Vortex Pro Torque Wrench. This tool is equally important because we all have a tendency to over-tighten scope rings and that can cause irreparable damage. This new tool lets you dial up precise torque values in two-inch-pound increments from 10 to 90 inch-pounds.
I’ve seen a lot of subpar torque wrenches out there. Many use imprecise labels so the best you can do is ballpark your setting. This one is much more precise and locks in place. It comes with all the Torx, hex, and other bits you’re likely to need.
Vortex had a previous version of this tool (which I also own and trust), but it only goes up to 50 inch-pounds, and the chuck that holds the bit in place doesn’t work as well as this new design. The new Pro Torque Wrench also comes with more bits and better organization for them.
Last but not least, this new gear drop includes the Vortex Sport Cantilever Mount. This mount works with 30-millimeter tubes and has a user-friendly one-piece base instead of separate scope ring assemblies.
I put all three to use by mounting a Vortex Viper 4-16×44 on a Hammerli Force B1 in preparation for summertime extracurricular activities in the desert. The process was extremely easy and I can take to the field confident in my setup. Prairie dogs and steel gongs beware.
Vortex lists an MSRP of $224.99 for the Pro Torque Wrench, $44.99 for the Pro Leveling Kit, and $179.99 for the Sport Cantilever Mount.
How do you mount your rifle scopes and other optics? Let us know below. For more pro tips, check out our tutorial on How to Zero a Rifle Scope.
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