Rifle Scopes Dropped my rifle, turret completely CAME OFF!

[stello1001]

Hello all,

So as the title says, I have a turret that's missing on my scope. I got into the deer stand very early this morning, everything was wet and slippery. Halfway up the ladder, I reach into the stand with my rifle to set it on the corner. Now that I've got both hands free, I try to climb the rest of the way up. The two front legs dig into the mud some few inches and my weight kinda unbalances the whole stand so it shakes a bit. Down goes my rifle. Because my scope and rings were painted together, I can see it has shifted forward a bit inside the rings. I looked through it and it seems to be crystal clear. I figured it would for up or something. I'm already filling out my warranty form but am asked for a serial number. Would that be found on the bottom of the erector housing? I would look but my scope is painted so if it's there, I can't see it. I'll have to remove some of the paint! My other concern is, the barrel went into the ground a good 5 inches. Can I just shoot it out and the problem will go away? Or is mud/dirt very abrasive? Advice welcome!!!

**EDIT**
With the holidays amongst us, I've finally just now gotten to make contact with Sig. Regardless of their high call volume due to holidays, I was able to speak with a rep within maybe a minute or so. With me dropping my rifle and breaking my optic, I would have been totally fine having to pay for shipping it back. It was not a factory defect. However, the rep told me he would create my profile in their system with all my info and have a return label sent to my email by the end of the day. He assured me my scope would be sent back to Japan. Because of that, they'll just send me a new one instead, turnaround should be 2, maybe 3 weeks at most. Again, holidays season and they've got a lot going on so possibly closer to 3. Nonetheless, I find that to be pretty damn quick. Another thing I asked for, was to see if it was even possible to have a black scope sent to me rather than a graphite. Rep assured me it would be no problem and has included a note in my return order so I get what I want. Because the black one is in much higher demand than the graphite, they may be out of stock. If that's the case, they'll have no choice but to send me a graphite scope. Over all, Sig gave me no trouble, they didn't give me the runaround, phone call was very quick and to the point. Very satisfied with the customer service I was provided with today!

 

[phlegm]

Sorry to hear about your trouble. Hope Sig can get you squared away on the scope.

DO NOT shoot obstructions out of a barrel. Clean it.

 

[stello1001]

I still need to find the turret down in the grass and mud. Didn't find it earlier as it was still dark. Thank you for the advice. I guess this ends my hunting trip one day short. The other bad thing, this is my backup scope hehe. My primary one had got sent in for repairs as well.

 

[just browsing]

Serial number is on the bottom of the erector housing. If you have the original box that it came in, it may be on there too but no guarantees. I don’t remember from my Sigs if the numbers are etched or painted on... if it’s the latter, I would caution you to be careful about how you’re removing the paint.

Definitely do not shoot with anything obstructing the barrel. That would be asking for a bad day to get even worse. Good luck and I’m sure Sig will get you taken care of.

 

[patriot07]

Definitely clean the barrel. If the scope moved, obviously you can't be sure that zero is still good, so I'd just pack it up unless you have another backup.

If I was a hunter, I'd carry my model 94 around as a backup at all times. Not much you can really do to those things. But if you're already on the backup rig, it seems like more of a run of bad luck than bad planning.

 

[stello1001]

Okay, so definitely not gonna shoot as it is. I'll have to go home and clean all the mud out. Such a beautiful morning for hunting going to waste. Already had a couple deer. I'm sure I could re zero and so long as I don't need to do adjustments on my windage, I think I'll be fine. But really, I think I'll just wait for my primary scope to arrive back, should be any minute now.

 

[myronman3]

i hate to be the turd in the punchbowl.... did you ever take hunter’s safety? two MAJOR fuckups here.......#1 you NEvER should climb with your weapon. make sure your weapon is unloaded and bring it up with a rope. #2. one of the first few things you should have been taught about firearms is NEVER, ever, EVER try to fire it if there is any chance of a barrel obstrution.

take hunter’s safety. if you have already, you need to again. for your own good, and the good of everyone else. i am not slamming on you when i say this, i say it out of concern for you and others. seriously.

 

[stello1001]

I don't recall, on the course, the part about not firing if anything is obstructing, not saying I don't agree with it. Just saying I don't recall it. And I did already mention that I won't. I asked because I was slightly unsure and out here in the field I don't have much to clean it with so I wanted to see what options, if any, I had. As far as the climbing up part, my rifle was unloaded and I did not have a rope. It probably is best I left one on here for future as that is exactly what I thought about before I climbed up. But really, I'm probably Always one of the safest hunters when out here. If you were concerned, I can assure you I do my part. When walking down to a target during zeroing anyone's rifle, I turn the rifle 180 degrees so it no longer aims towards the target and take out the bolt. About 50 yards from camp, if there are still firearms that are loaded I make sure to unload them and if anyone is around me, I remind them about theirs. I could go on but I think it'd be most appropriate to discuss hunters safety in a thread of its own. Also, while that course does provide lots of great information, especially for new hunters, it serves mostly as a general guideline. Those old timers with years of experience, develop their own ways of doing things and are probably still just as safe, if not safer.

 

[myronman3]

it’s a good thing you asked.

to be clear, i dont want to come off as bitching at ya. everything i advised i did out of concern for you and for others. You made two major mistakes today. I am very happy that you asked about firing the rifle before you tried it. Be safe out there.

 

[stello1001]

it’s a good thing you asked.

to be clear, i dont want to come off as bitching at ya. everything i advised i did out of concern for you and for others.

Yes I can see that, and i thank you for that. But I was just so excited about hunting this morning as its such a beautiful weather that my whole dropping rifle situation has turned a good day into a not so good day.

 

[bigdaddydmd]

A not so good day beats a terrible day (i.e. a breech detonating 2 inches from your face due to barrel obstruction). You got out in the countryside while others are stuck at work, saw a beautiful morning, have equipment with no fault warranty, have your primary scope on its way back to you, and learned two valuable lessons. So, yeah it wasn't a great day, but it can still be considered a good day and hell, the day is likely only half done. Lots of time for it to become a great day.

 

[stello1001]

A not so good day beats a terrible day (i.e. a breech detonating 2 inches from your face due to barrel obstruction). You got out in the countryside while others are stuck at work, saw a beautiful morning, have equipment with no fault warranty, have your primary scope on its way back to you, and learned two valuable lessons. So, yeah it wasn't a great day, but it can still be considered a good day and hell, the day is likely only half done. Lots of time for it to become a great day.

I mean, yeah you're right. I can complain about it, but I can also not complain and enjoy lol. Regartdless, I'm gonna stay out here and just appreciate seeing the wildlife. I used to shoot a lot of wildlife (shoot as in picture taking haha) before so even if I can't use my rifle, I've got my binos! Already I saw a new 8 I had never seen before, not even on cameras so I see that as a very positive thing!

 

[Conrad101st]

1. Find a damn good diner. Half the fun of a hunting trip is the other moments. While others are pushing paper or getting shat upon this very morning, you can be spreading butter and honey on biscuits.

2. Buy a Ruger super Blackhawk and you can leave it in your trunk as a backup weapon during rifle season. With practice, you can easily make 75 yard shots. Gives you option B.

 

[stello1001]

1. Find a damn good diner. Half the fun of a hunting trip is the other moments. While others are pushing paper or getting shat upon this very morning, you can be spreading butter and honey on biscuits.

2. Buy a Ruger super Blackhawk and you can leave it in your trunk as a backup weapon during rifle season. With practice, you can easily make 75 yard shots. Gives you option B.

Not a bad idea hehe...

 

[TriggerReed357]

That sucks brother sorry your hunt went sour. Sig customer service is pretty good but I think the scope is done for the season since they have a pretty steep turnaround time. A few years ago I started carrying a Taurus Raging Bull into the woods after seeing some big bear signs and this saved me on a similar incident in last month. My rifle fell off the ATV rack and the barrel sank into the mud in the ATV rut. Knowing the danger of shooting an obstructed barrel i left the rifle on the 4 wheeler and carried the Taurus. I still got to hunt and the Taurus is accurate up to about 50 yards and then loses velocity and accuracy. But I got to bag a smaller doe at 30 yards. Look at the exit on this doe from the .44 magnum. I would definitely think of carrying a hunting caliber side arm in the future. Hope everything works out bro.

 

[stello1001]

That sucks brother sorry your hunt went sour. Sig customer service is pretty good but I think the scope is done for the season since they have a pretty steep turnaround time. A few years ago I started carrying a Taurus Raging Bull into the woods after seeing some big bear signs and this saved me on a similar incident in last month. My rifle fell off the ATV rack and the barrel sank into the mud in the ATV rut. Knowing the danger of shooting an obstructed barrel i left the rifle on the 4 wheeler and carried the Taurus. I still got to hunt and the Taurus is accurate up to about 50 yards and then loses velocity and accuracy. But I got to bag a smaller doe at 30 yards. Look at the exit on this doe from the .44 magnum. I would definitely think of carrying a hunting caliber side arm in the future. Hope everything works out bro.

Seems like you still got the job done. I heard from Bushnell and they said my scope that I sent in for warranty has already made it back to the states from Japan. Don't know how much longer it'll be until I receive it but shouldn't be too long. I'm guessing tjey have to sort out all the scopes they got in from that batch and mail ship them out!

 

[TriggerReed357]

Seems like you still got the job done. I heard from Bushnell and they said my scope that I sent in for warranty has already made it back to the states from Japan. Don't know how much longer it'll be until I receive it but shouldn't be too long. I'm guessing tjey have to sort out all the scopes they got in from that batch and mail ship them out!

Thats good news. I thought those turrets where Sig Whiskey turrets lol. They all look the same these days. Bushnell's customer service is great so you should be taken care of faster. If they send you a brand new scope you will probably lose the cerakote job tho. but nonetheless you get a brand new scope probably.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Seems like you still got the job done. I heard from Bushnell and they said my scope that I sent in for warranty has already made it back to the states from Japan. Don't know how much longer it'll be until I receive it but shouldn't be too long. I'm guessing tjey have to sort out all the scopes they got in from that batch and mail ship them out!

What happened with the Bushnell? I'm surprised they sent it to Japan since they have a lab in the US for CS issues.

 

[stello1001]

Thats good news. I thought those turrets where Sig Whiskey turrets lol. They all look the same these days. Bushnell's customer service is great so you should be taken care of faster. If they send you a brand new scope you will probably lose the cerakote job tho. but nonetheless you get a brand new scope probably.

This scope that I broke the turret off is a Sig Tango 6. This is my backup scope. Bushnell lrhs is my primary scope but that ones been in Japan for repairs. Bushnell has let me know it's in the states already. I hope it gets to me fast haha. I don't mind if Sig sends me a new one and I lose the paint job. It's actually a rattle can job I gave my entire rifle!

 

[stello1001]

What happened with the Bushnell? I'm surprised they sent it to Japan since they have a lab in the US for CS issues.

Nothing major really. I got the LRHS through the gap deal and some of them had issues with the turret markings not being perfectly straight or the arrow on top or the turret not being perfectly straight. Something like that. Anyhow, they themselves offered to repair it for free so I didn't mind sending it. To be honest, it would have still worked good, it was nothing that affected it's performance but since a rep was nice enough to contact me and offer up warranty work, I took them up on the offer.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Nothing major really. I got the LRHS through the gap deal and some of them had issues with the turret markings not being perfectly straight or the arrow on top or the turret not being perfectly straight. Something like that. Anyhow, they themselves offered to repair it for free so I didn't mind sending it. To be honest, it would have still worked good, it was nothing that affected it's performance but since a rep was nice enough to contact me and offer up warranty work, I took them up on the offer.

Interesting that it went back to Japan since it sounds like a turret replacement would have fixed it. Can't say I am surprised that they took care of it, though - I've had nothing but good experience with them.

 

[stello1001]

Interesting that it went back to Japan since it sounds like a turret replacement would have fixed it. Can't say I am surprised that they took care of it, though - I've had nothing but good experience with them.

Im not 100% sure as to what the exact issue was as it seemed rather confusing to me being that many people were saying one thing and others were saying differently. I think in the end, it may have been that the markings on the actual scope body or scope tube might have been the ones that were off and made everything else look non-centered. They also offered to replace my scope for an LRTSi instead and I could have had it in 72 hours at my front door but I liked the reticle on my LRHSi that I opted to send it in for repair regardless of the 8-10 week turnaround time. It didn't seem bad for me.

 

[capp325]

I don't recall, on the course, the part about not firing if anything is obstructing, not saying I don't agree with it. Just saying I don't recall it.

Might be because it's common sense....like not treating your car's gas tank as an ashtray or using sulphuric acid as mouthwash. NEVER shoot if you suspect that there may be an obstruction in the barrel.

On a separate note, this unfortunate incident shows why they put capped turrets on hunting scopes...

 

[stello1001]

Might be because it's common sense....like not treating your car's gas tank as an ashtray or using sulphuric acid as mouthwash. NEVER shoot if you suspect that there may be an obstruction in the barrel.

Yeah but it seemed to me as if he posted that taking the course was gonna tell me exactly that

On a separate note, this unfortunate incident shows why they put capped turrets on hunting scopes...

Yeah, maybe...

 

[myronman3]

it would have been 1984 when i went through hunter’s safety, and i remember barrel obstructions being discussed.

both my sons took hunters safety and i was there for it...and it was discussed in both the classes.

like others said, sounds like you still had a better day than most of us stuck at work. you will laugh about this in a few years...those days that go wrong are the ones we laugh about years later.

 

[Gohring65]

Note to self, Sig Tango 6, not duty worthy.
Thanks for sharing

 

[THEIS]

Note to self, Sig Tango 6, not duty worthy.
Thanks for sharing

Hi,

Kind of makes you wonder how the Sig Tango 6 passed the military drop test and such huh? Because they drop it on much harder surfaces than wet soggy dirt....

Sincerely,
Theis

 

[Gohring65]

Hi,

Kind of makes you wonder how the Sig Tango 6 passed the military drop test and such huh? Because they drop it on much harder surfaces than wet soggy dirt....

Sincerely,
Theis

Good possibility it hit a step or limb, but I would think it would survive that, especially since you’re right, they have been rigorously tested. That’s a fail no matter how you put it, luckily it wasn’t in a duty situation.

 

[stello1001]

Yeah, it had a few hits before it hit mud. I found the O-ring that seals the windage turret right on the floor of the stand so I know it hit somewhere there. Then it hit again again on the ladder, which is metal. I finally found the turret and boy does it have some damage. The way it looks, capped or uncapped, the hit would have destroyed any turret. Also, my elevation stayed rock solid and dead on. My windage, because the hit was on that turret, shifted somewhat.

 

[tomcatfan]

Hi,

Kind of makes you wonder how the Sig Tango 6 passed the military drop test and such huh? Because they drop it on much harder surfaces than wet soggy dirt....

Sincerely,
Theis

I doubt the drop tests included hitting the turrets with a hammer. I wonder how many scopes can survive something like what was described. I doubt very few.

 

[THEIS]

Hi,

The drop test are actually pretty rough. Feel free to research the requirements from past fbo.gov solicitations.

Sincerely,
Theis

 

[Steel+Killer]

if you had fired your rifle to clean it with mud inside it you probably would have won a Darwin award sounds like you were close to being a runner up for it.

 

[stello1001]

if you had fired your rifle to clean it with mud inside it you probably would have won a Darwin award sounds like you were close to being a runner up for it.

Do you know if there is a specific sub category for firearm related lol? That would be interesting!

 

[stello1001]

Made a phone call to Sig and am more than satisfied with their customer service. Please refer to my original post for more info on that.

 

[Diablo]

Barrel obstruction = bad

 

[stello1001]

Barrel obstruction = bad

??

 

[TheGerman]

Electrical tape over the muzzle helps to not get unwanted shit in there.

Also a muzzle/scope cover basically makes sure none of this stupidity happens.

 

[uffduh]

That sucks brother sorry your hunt went sour. Sig customer service is pretty good but I think the scope is done for the season since they have a pretty steep turnaround time. A few years ago I started carrying a Taurus Raging Bull into the woods after seeing some big bear signs and this saved me on a similar incident in last month. My rifle fell off the ATV rack and the barrel sank into the mud in the ATV rut. Knowing the danger of shooting an obstructed barrel i left the rifle on the 4 wheeler and carried the Taurus. I still got to hunt and the Taurus is accurate up to about 50 yards and then loses velocity and accuracy. But I got to bag a smaller doe at 30 yards. Look at the exit on this doe from the .44 magnum. I would definitely think of carrying a hunting caliber side arm in the future. Hope everything works out bro.

Appreciate this is an old post, but just came across it...I swear at first glance on an iPhone, I thought you had that doe hooked up to life support!

 

[TriggerReed357]

Appreciate this is an old post, but just came across it...I swear at first glance on an iPhone, I thought you had that doe hooked up to life support!

LOL yea the water bottle combat IV mod lol good times.

 

[wade2big]

My cousin’s husband lost his eye on a Colorado elk hunt this year. Remington 700 came apart in his father’s hands and he was beside him when it happened. Shrapnel lodged in his eye. The surgeons removed a 1” piece of metal between his eye and brain cavity. A little deeper and worse could have happened. His father had minor wounds to his hands.

 

[308pirate]

i hate to be the turd in the punchbowl.... did you ever take hunter’s safety? two MAJOR fuckups here.......#1 you NEvER should climb with your weapon. make sure your weapon is unloaded and bring it up with a rope. #2. one of the first few things you should have been taught about firearms is NEVER, ever, EVER try to fire it if there is any chance of a barrel obstrution.

take hunter’s safety. if you have already, you need to again. for your own good, and the good of everyone else. i am not slamming on you when i say this, i say it out of concern for you and others. seriously.

Half the things they teach during hunter safety are fucking wrong and/or retarded.

Pulling up the rifle with a rope? So long as it's unloaded who gives a shit how you get it up there? People with more than two brain cells to rub together apply critical thinking to everything they are told.

And don't get me started about what they teach re ballistics.......holy dogshit.

 

[308pirate]

Do you know if there is a specific sub category for firearm related lol?

Oh yea, and it's pretty busy

 

[myronman3]

So...wildman....would you disagree that he wouldnt benefit from hunter’s safety?

fuck man, from what you are spouting, you might benefit from it as well. “As long as it is unloaded..”. Did you miss the part where this guy ended up dropping his rifle? You have any idea how many people fall out while climbing because they have more shit in their hands than they should while climbing? I have been around enough to know that one-sided thinking brings about certain things. And i have been around the hide long enough to witness more than one post where you espouse yourself as the grand poohbah of what-ever-topic-at-hand. And entirely TOO many racist posts of yours to take much of anything you say seriously.

i will give you that program to program from place to place, the course is only as good as the people teaching it.

and ^ that begs the question...are you one sitting on the sidelines spouting off with know-it-all comments, or are you wading into the cesspool to try to clean up some shit? the world is loaded with folks who got all kind of criticism, but those same folks wont lift a finger to make an effort to put their time and effort into stuff to make it better. Keep in mind...I AM NOT MAKING A STATEMENT, I AM ASKING YOU A QUESTION. I have seen folks teaching that dont know a tenth of what i do on a subject; but damn it, they are stepping up and doing their best. Either help them become better, or step up and do better.

 

[308pirate]

I'm going to assume you're talking to me. So my answers are in yellow inside the quote

So...wildman....would you disagree that he wouldnt benefit from hunter’s safety? That's for the OP, no me, to decide

fuck man, from what you are spouting, you might benefit from it as well. “As long as it is unloaded...” you think? Now i will give you that program to program from place to place, the course is only as good as the people teaching it.
I already took it and quickly discarded about 90% of what I was told. Like I said, I can think for myself. The 10% I kept was common sense anyway. At any rate, don't give a shit about your assessment of my level of skill or safety afield.

and ^ that begs the question...are you one sitting on the sidelines spouting off with know-it-all comments, or are you wading into the cesspool to try to clean up some shit? the world is loaded with folks who got all kind of criticism, but those same folks wont lift a finger to make an effort to put their time and effort into stuff to make it better. Keep in mind...I AM NOT MAKING A STATEMENT, I AM ASKING YOU A QUESTION. I have seen folks teaching that dont know a tenth of what i do on a subject; but damn it, they are stepping up and doing their best. Either help them become better, or step up and do better.
I took a hunter safety class because the law said I had to not because I wanted to. It's a monumental waste of fucking time. I learned nothing that I either didn't already know or couldn't learn from reading the state game regs booklet. So I'm not about to waste my time helping out on something I personally don't believe in.

 

[myronman3]

And i will add, i aint the grand poohbah of jack shit. I just dont want to see someone hurt or worse when it could have been avoided. That’s all.

 

[myronman3]

Good for you, man. You got all the answers. i am very happy for you.

 

[Diablo]

Electrical tape over the muzzle helps to not get unwanted shit in there.

Also a muzzle/scope cover basically makes sure none of this stupidity happens.

over the muzzle, you could also use a condom

 

[pell1203]

Painter’s tape works too.

 

[Bender]

Is this still available?

 

[TheGerman]

over the muzzle, you could also use a condom

Yeah, but why start now?