Building My 300 PRC : Part - 4 The Optic

Published on February 9, 2026
Duration: 31:23

This video details the process of mounting a Nightforce ATACR optic onto a custom 300 PRC rifle. Instructor Ivan emphasizes the importance of proper optic selection, reticle choice (mil vs. MOA), and meticulous installation techniques. Key steps include achieving correct eye relief, ensuring the rifle and reticle are level, and torquing ring screws to precise specifications using specialized tools to guarantee accuracy and reliability.

Quick Summary

Mounting a rifle optic requires careful attention to eye relief, leveling, and torque specifications. Ensure the rifle and reticle are perfectly level using tools like bubble levels and plum lines. Use a torque wrench to tighten scope ring screws to the manufacturer's specified values, typically around 65 in-lbs for quality rings, alternating in an X-pattern to prevent reticle shift.

Chapters

  1. 00:06Introduction & Optic Mounting
  2. 00:20Winter Weather & Series Recap
  3. 01:17Need for an Optic
  4. 01:56Nightforce Optic & Rings
  5. 02:20Importance of Optics
  6. 03:03Nightforce ATACR 7-35x56
  7. 03:30Reticle Importance & Choice
  8. 04:02BDC vs. Mil/MOA Reticles
  9. 04:33Mil vs. MOA Language
  10. 05:07Why Mil is Easier
  11. 06:07Reticle Details & Synergy
  12. 06:30Reticle Not a 'Christmas Tree'
  13. 07:080.2 Mil Increments
  14. 07:15Mounting the Optic
  15. 07:21Optic Mounting Essentials
  16. 07:59Determining Level
  17. 08:33MDT SendIt Gen 2
  18. 08:42Leveling the Gun & Reticle
  19. 08:56Test Fitting Rings
  20. 09:12Ring Crossbolt Placement
  21. 09:39Placing the Optic
  22. 09:53Clearance Check
  23. 10:17Biasing Rings Forward
  24. 10:25Torquing Rings (65 in-lbs)
  25. 11:03Torquing Second Ring
  26. 11:22Figuring Out Eye Relief
  27. 12:23Finding the Sweet Spot
  28. 12:50Attaching Top Ring Halves
  29. 13:03Leveling Before Final Torque
  30. 13:05Using Blue Loctite
  31. 13:19Witness Marks
  32. 14:07Hand-Tightening for Leveling
  33. 14:36Fix It Sticks Level Tool
  34. 14:45Plum Line Alternative
  35. 15:11Optic Leveling Examples
  36. 15:36Checking Reticle Alignment
  37. 15:56Snugging Down Rings
  38. 16:14Mistake: Forgetting SendIt
  39. 16:39Adjusting Ring Position
  40. 16:52Re-checking Eye Relief
  41. 17:19Space for SendIt Mount
  42. 17:39Clearance Check (Barely)
  43. 18:08Re-adjusting Eye Relief & Leveling
  44. 18:34Final Ring Installation
  45. 18:49Fingertight & SendIt Mounted
  46. 19:05Confirming Eye Relief & Level
  47. 19:11Torquing Rings to Spec (25 in-lbs)
  48. 19:43PBS Swiss Torx Bits
  49. 20:05Fix It Sticks Bits vs. PBS Swiss
  50. 20:29Torquing Process & X-Pattern
  51. 21:18Tightening Technique
  52. 21:49Final Check After Torquing
  53. 22:25Importance of Correct Torque
  54. 22:54Mounting the Diving Board
  55. 23:06Nightforce Diving Board Assembly
  56. 23:29Mistake: Incorrect Ring Assembly
  57. 23:47Learning from Mistakes
  58. 24:09Weather & Mounting Experience
  59. 24:14Camera Battery Failure
  60. 24:25Adjusting Ring Position for Diving Board
  61. 25:03SendIt Placement Adjustment
  62. 25:21Disassembling for Correction
  63. 25:31Patience in Optic Mounting
  64. 26:00Nightforce Ring Base Design
  65. 26:30U-Shaped Front Piece
  66. 27:08Weather Conditions
  67. 27:18Final Leveling Check
  68. 27:34Final Torque Application
  69. 28:33Attaching the Top Piece
  70. 28:39Applying Loctite & Witness Marks
  71. 29:18Completion & Reflection
  72. 29:40Optic Complements Rifle
  73. 29:52Need for 35x Magnification
  74. 30:00Nightforce Quality Control
  75. 30:25Clear Glass & Magnification
  76. 30:41Excitement for Reticle
  77. 30:52Next Steps: Shooting
  78. 31:09Outro

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key considerations when mounting a rifle optic?

Key considerations include ensuring proper eye relief for a clear sight picture, leveling the rifle and reticle to prevent cant errors, and using the correct torque values for scope ring screws to ensure stability without damaging components. Using quality tools and taking your time are also crucial.

Why is reticle choice important for a long-range rifle optic?

Reticle choice is vital for long-range shooting. First Focal Plane (FFP) reticles, especially those with Mil subtensions, allow for accurate range estimation and holdovers at any magnification. This offers more flexibility than fixed magnification scopes or BDC reticles tied to specific loads.

What torque specification is recommended for Nightforce Ultralight scope rings?

For Nightforce Ultralight 34mm scope rings, the recommended torque specification is 65 inch-pounds (in-lbs). It's essential to use a calibrated torque wrench and torque limiter to achieve this precise value, alternating screws in an X-pattern.

How do you ensure a rifle optic's reticle is perfectly level?

To level a rifle optic's reticle, first ensure the rifle's receiver is level using a bubble level. Then, use a plum line or a dedicated scope leveling tool to align the vertical and horizontal stadia lines of the reticle precisely with gravity and the rifle's bore axis.

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