Rifle Scopes scope zero

[badshooter]

I got a chance to try out my new-to-me Leuppy MK4. I was using some winchester 150fmj to get it zeroed. I had boresighted it and the target was already at 200yds, so I tried it. The first shot was 6" low and 2" left. I moved the scope the corret amount and it moved up, but not to the right. I tried 6 click to the right, which would be 6" and the impact was 12 or so inches to the right.

I decided to move the target to 100yds and start over. I got my go-to load that I know is accurate in this rifle and tried it. I reset the dials and fired. The first shot was 4" low and to the left. I moved it up and to the right. Fired again and it was dead level, still to the left, like it didnt move. I fired another shot and it was perfect. I then fired a couple more and all was good. I tried moving the elevation up 4" and fired, right on. I moved it back and it was dead on again.

Is it just bad luck or coincidence that the impact was all over the place and then its right where it should be? I didn't have the daylight left to do a full box test to see if the scope tracks right. Could it just be that my rifle hates winchester FMJ NATO rounds and maybe I pulled a shot with my good ammo, or is there something wrong with the scope?

 

[our gang]

Re: scope zero

"new to you" is the key phrase. Why was the scope sold? It might have problems. Try the rifle with a scope you know is consistant and tracks.

You should also try "shooting the square" with the loopie, that will show tracking issues quickly.

 

[badshooter]

Re: scope zero

It was a trade-in, i got it from a very reputable dealer. I know the dealer had no way of knowing if it was defective unless they mount and fire it. I plan on box testing it when I get back to the range.

 

[pell1203]

Re: scope zero

badshooter,

You might try lightly tapping the turrets when you make changes to make sure all the internal adjustments have completed moving and have settled in. Also make sure the rings are torqued properly so they do not restrict or bind the turret mechanisms.

I've experienced similar problems before with another scope. I tried the box test on it and after changing the elevation and windage it seemed the very next shot would sometimes be off. However, the one after that would always be right on even though the adjustments were not changed. Apparently something was hanging internally and the recoil from the earlier misaligned shot was letting the adjustments settle in where they were supposed to already be at. After about 100 rounds, all seemed to work well... maybe it just needed a bit of breaking in.

I just tried a similar box test today with a new scope and got the following results at 100 yards:

Shot 1: Dead center
--Adjust 2 mils up, 1 mil right
Shot 2: within 0.1 mil of expected strike point
--Adjust 4 mils down
Shot 3: within 0.1 mil of expected strike point
--Adjust 2 mils left
Shot 4: within 0.1 mil of expected strike point
--Adjust 4 mils up
<span style="font-weight: bold">Shot 5: only went up 3.2 mils, 0.8 mils off of expected strike point

Shot 6: REPEAT of shot 5 without making any adjustments - within 0.1 mil of expected strike point

</span>
--Adjust 1 mil right, 2 mils down
Shot 7: Back to dead center - Shots 1 and 7 touching

Hoping it will break-in too!

 

[badshooter]

Re: scope zero

I could see this happening to a cheap scope, but a scope designed to be adjusted many times shouldn't have this problem. I would call that unreliable.

 

[Joe-n-TX]

Re: scope zero

so many varibles. it takes more that one shot to zero a scope. at least a few sets of 2-3.

then box test.