Centering Elevation adjustment Leupold VX3

[texasjohn]

Can’t be too much, lets do the math.
I don’t know your load so we will use, Federal 150 grain factory ammo going 2820 fps zeroed at 200 yards drops 8.8” that is just under 3 MOA at 300 yards or just under 12 “clicks” with a ¼” adjustment scope. Your load must be similar to this because your 12 clicks “gets you close”.

So your 57 MOA scope is “topped out” very near 300 yards. Half of 57 MOA is 28.5 MOA, to have the crosshairs centered in the scope at 300 yards this (28.5 MOA) would be the base that you would need. So a 20 MOA base won’t even have the crosshairs centered much less too high.

You said out to 500 yards above, the drop of our example round from 300-500 yards is 46.4” or 9.28 MOA so a 20 MOA base should do it.

Edit: math was wrong

You are right. Though I am using my 168gr Hornady SST with 42gr of Varget handloads, the book says I should be in the 2500 - 2600 range. I don't have a chronograph so if I had to guess it was a little towards the 2500 side given your numbers for 2600fps and drop I am seeing.

 

[JimKirk]

The Leupold bases may work reversed, But to do it correctly you should purchased the Extended front rings below.

If you don't mind Windage screws sticking out in the loading port, go for the reversed bases, but if you want it to look and and be correct order a set of rings similar to these below in the correct height...

You have the correct bases, just the wrong rings.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=712558

Jimmy K

 

[Ditch-Tiger]

Texasjohn-
Whoa! I totally looked at your pic wrong. your bases are mounted backwards and unless your receiver is 100% flat, they will not work correctly.
The rear base should have the windage knobs on it and the front bases should be the 90 degree turn type. I would also suggest returning those bases and getting the leupold's that are extended in the front (the front ring will then mount back and above your bolt) to allow you to move the scope closer to your eye as you have stated that you needed to creep the stock in it's current configuration.

 

[JDGray]

How did this turn out for you? Did the new bases help?

 

[texasjohn]

Things didn't go bad. Though, the result was nearly the same. I zeroed at 100 yards, and I had 29 clicks up up left, so ~7.25 MOA of adjustment. I ended up ordering the 20MOA base from Warne yesterday morning to allow go with my warne rings I have. That should give me ~27 MOA to reach out a little further, given my current loads I should be ALMOST able to get a 800 zero, which is probably further than I will get a chance to shoot anytime soon.


I am still working up some loads, and not getting the accuracy I think the rifle will do. Attaching some scans to show I am at least trying

I should be back out friday, with the new base and to get some more rounds under my belt with the new-ish gun. I think I am around 100-120 bullets total, so there is probably still some break in left to do. I have times where the groups start to look good, then I get a flier or two. Of course none of this has anything to do with the base situation...

 

[JDGray]

My 20" Savage likes 155gr SMKs over 43.6gr Varget, 168gr SMKs over 23gr Varget, both loads go .5"-.6" at 100. Another thing to check is the procedure for tightening the action screws + the wedge. I have read about loss of accuracy after removing the action from the accustock. Even following Savages torque sequence, people can't get their guns to group again.

Good luck, and hang in there!

 

[texasjohn]

You must have been watching me. I think maybe I am not quite right with my action screws. I think I have them torqued/done right, but the "middle" one started to strip because I used a cheap tool, so I can't be 100% sure it is right. I may have to get a torqx bit in there and back it out and buy a new one.

Anyway, I am shooting "hunting" bullets, Hornady Interlock/bond stuff. I have not tried any match stuff, I guess I really should to see what the rifle will do. I think I am going to try some SMK and their Hunting equiv. I had good luck with Sierra and Varget with my AR...

Those really bad groups were happening when I started to get thirsty at the range. It was ~100 degrees. The 8 shot groups were not too bad for me, minus the fliers. But still learning.

 

[JDGray]

Look at the pics on page 2 of this thread, hope the link works
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1993061#Post1993061

 

[texasjohn]

Update..

I received the Warne 20MOA base today and went to the range...

I now have a nice amount of UP adjustment from 100 yards, ~33 MOA with my setup now. This will almost get me the ability to zero at 900 yards by my estimation. Since I doubt I will ever be shooting that far I am pretty happy. A 300 yard zero would practically at the mechanical zero of the rifle, assuming I need to come up ~5 MOA from 100. (The Scope has 59 MOA total). 300 happens to be the max I will be shooting most of the time, so that is a good thing.

Thanks everyone for the help. Here is the final spec, in case it helps somebody in the future:

Savage Precision Carbine 20" bbl
Leupold VX3 50mm 3.5-10x
Warne High Rings
Warne 20MOA Single Piece Base. (#M66620MOA)

Now, back to working up my reloads.