When setting up a scope, which factor is important to consider?

When setting up a scope, considering lateral cant is essential because it pertains to ensuring that the reticle of the scope is perfectly level with the horizon when the rifle is positioned to shoot. If the scope is improperly canted, it can result in a situation where shots impact consistently off to one side, particularly at longer distances. This issue arises because the bullet's path is influenced by the angle of the rifle, meaning that even if the rifle is aimed straight at the target, the bullet can hit high or low, left or right, depending on the cant of the firearm.

Correcting for lateral cant allows for more accurate shooting, especially in precision scenarios, where understanding and compensating for even minor deviations can significantly affect outcomes. Thus, ensuring the scope is level is a foundational step in maximizing accuracy when using a rifle scope.

Considering windage adjustments, weather effects, and the length of the rifle are also important, but they pertain to different elements of shooting and setup. Windage adjustments deal with lateral aim corrections for wind drift, weather affects overall performance of both shooter and equipment, and rifle length pertains to maneuverability and fit, but none of these factors directly impact the fundamental need for a level reticle as does lateral cant.