Will my POI shift if I take my scope off and then put it back on?

[Texan]

Okay, I guess that is a dumb one. My scope rings are perfectly mounted on my scope rail, and my scope is perfectly mounted in my scope rings. If I remove the rings from the rail, but don't mess with the way the scope is mounted in the rings, should I be able to put the scope rings back on the rail and get the same POI as before or will I likely have to re-zero the scope?

 

[tnichols]

Shift should be minimal, but I would certainly check it after a remount.

 

[gigamortis]

Agree. Verify zero after reinstalling.

 

[Texan]

Thank you.

 

[Threadcutter308]

For giggles, get out your torque wrench and tighten down one screw on your ring caps just a little tighter than the others, then (re)check zero. You will probably find that your zero has changed. I've tried that on numerous occasions by tightening the front ring cap, front right screw just a little tighter (+ ~5 in. lbs.) than the others. My zero did move, but not much (less than 1/8 MOA or so....).

When re-installing scopes, it's just good practice to assume your zero has moved, then be prepared to correct it. It shouldn't have moved much (maybe not at all) and correction should be very minor.

 

[Fursniper]

It's not unusual to get a very minor change in zero, doesn't alway happen but I certainly would check your zero before going for "the money shot"!