baffled by scope not zeroing

I've seen this once. . . and observed that the spring loading the erector tube against the windage turret had failed. No fix for mine (cheap crap scope), so trash.

If B&L won't fix it, take it apart and see.

Yeah, has to be an internal failure.

Pretty sure B & L got bought out. Whoever makes the 4000 series of scopes now. Burris maybe

As noted, internal failure of the adjustment mechanism

For whatever reason we expect scopes to last forever

I wouldn't trust a scope over about 20-30 years old on a rifle that my life depended on it working. Even if it were an expensive high end scope. They wear out sooner than the rifles they are mounted on. Plus optics have improved to the point that a $200 scope today is a better scope than one that cost $500 thirty years ago.

Just trying to clarify the OP: your scope was installed years ago _and was zeroed fine at that time_, and is now shooting far right? Or was it just simply mounted without being zeroed and this is the first time you've shot the combo?

A photo of the combo might help too -- B&L has sold both internally and externally adjustable 6x24 scopes at different times. Seeing the specific type of mount/rings might also offer some clues.

These days most scopes are internally adjusted with non-adjustable rings, but that isn't the only setup possible.

To offer a blanket recommendation, try firmly mounting your rifle in some kind of fixture and look through the scope as you turn the W/E dials. You've got a problem with the internals when you turn a W/E adjustment dial and the crosshairs don't move relative to the backdrop, or stop moving before you run out of adjustment range.

May need windage adjustable rings

Take the scope off, hold it up to your good ear, tap on the scope with your knuckle, and listen for a vibration. If you hear one, there’s your problem. Had this happen with a Leupold VX-III of mine a couple years ago.

trapperjohn said:

the scope was mounted years ago, zeroed in, and was shooting fine up until I went to shoot it the other day. it was NOT a new installation.

am 100% positive I adjusted it correctly. at about 10 yards it was shooting about 6" left, fully adjusting the scope to the Right only moved it about an inch.

I see that I did misspeak in my original post as to the direction it is off.

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Got it. If the internals are indeed at fault and none of the other suggestions here solve your problem, the most cost-effective solution is to buy a new scope and sell the old one on eBay or Gunbroker for parts.

From what I've been able to learn, the B&L riflescope line was last owned by Bushnell. They discontinued the BalVar line sometime around 2000 in favor of their current Elite series. Their website doesn't even mention warranty coverage on older BalVar models:
https://www.bushnell.com/warranty/

If you're determined to save the old scope, try contacting these guys for advice. FYI, I've been down this route before and it's a money pit:
http://www.bauschandlombscopemounts.freeservers.com/prodinfo.htm

If I have a stable way to hold the rifle, this is the method I use, makes it pretty hard to mess up.




Also good for seeing if a scope tracks correctly.

Scopes are mechanical and mechanisms fail sooner or later. I might be able to be saved but if your paying someone to fix it, it will likely be cheaper to replace it with a modern optic with even better glass.

Nice video!

I use the same method to old-school boresight at home: I have a 'target' in my backyard a measured 25 yards from a spot where I can mount a rifle in an adjustable fixture. I level the rifle, center the target by carefully sighting through the rifle bore (assuming the action design permits), then adjust the crosshairs to match. That gets me on the paper before final zeroing at the range.

BTW, I was using this method a couple years ago when I discovered that a recent-production Weaver K1.5 scope of mine suffered from faulty elevation. I sent it in for warranty service ($25); because the model was discontinued, they upgraded me to a brand new 1.5-4x variable! That's what I call service!

Check your rings. I made the mistake of putting on rings that were for a 3/8" grooved receiver. CZ's, if I am not mistaken, have a 11 mm groove. I would be breaking clay birds at 100 yards and then started missing. The scope rings were sliding on the receiver.

Dave DeLaurant said:

Nice video!

I use the same method to old-school boresight at home: I have a 'target' in my backyard a measured 25 yards from a spot where I can mount a rifle in an adjustable fixture. I level the rifle, center the target by carefully sighting through the rifle bore (assuming the action design permits), then adjust the crosshairs to match. That gets me on the paper before final zeroing at the range.

BTW, I was using this method a couple years ago when I discovered that a recent-production Weaver K1.5 scope of mine suffered from faulty elevation. I sent it in for warranty service ($25); because the model was discontinued, they upgraded me to a brand new 1.5-4x variable! That's what I call service!

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I have an older weaver k4 steel tube with broken elevation hair. Do you still have their contact info?

skeeterfogger said:

I have an older weaver k4 steel tube with broken elevation hair. Do you still have their contact info?

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When you say older, was it made in the USA or the Philippines? The latter are covered by the current Weaver guys (now also part of Bushnell),
http://www.weaveroptics.com/general/warranty/

while the former (which may have some collector value, depending) can be serviced at your own expense.

http://ironsightinc.com/index.php?route=common/weaver

Call the Weaver TSD before you go any further to see what's what: 1-800-379-1732

Thanks, it came on a rifle that my uncle had. More than likely late 50s or very early 60s. Will have dig it out to see.

Dave DeLaurant said:

When you say older, was it made in the USA or the Philippines? The latter are covered by the current Weaver guys (now also part of Bushnell),
http://www.weaveroptics.com/general/warranty/

while the former (which may have some collector value, depending) can be serviced at your own expense.

http://ironsightinc.com/index.php?route=common/weaver

Call the Weaver TSD before you go any further to see what's what: 1-800-379-1732

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skeeterfogger said:

Thanks, it came on a rifle that my uncle had. More than likely late 50s or very early 60s. Will have dig it out to see.

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Almost certainly made in when they were still in Ft. Worth. The guys at Iron Sight can help you. Be prepared for some sticker shock, though!

Dave DeLaurant said:

Almost certainly made in when they were still in Ft. Worth. The guys at Iron Sight can help you. Be prepared for some sticker shock, though!

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Wish I had looked at this long ago. Pulled the eyepiece off and you wouldn't believe how easy it is to get the crosshair assembly out.
Locked it up in my magnified jewelry vice and proceeded to solder on new wires. Took all of 20 minutes. New ones are just a hair bigger but look real good in the view.
The funny thing is that the scope I thought needed repair, a 4x marksman, was ok. It was a K6 60B. So I have 2 good older weaver steel tubes. Amazing what can be found when rummaging.

Walkalong said:

Good question, and it is easy to do, saw a Marine doing this once, he asked for help and was embarrassed. No biggie I said, we have all done it.

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I’ve done it on more occasions than I like to admit. And my Zeiss and Meopta adjustments go the opposite way of my Leupold’s if I remember correctly, which doesn’t help.