Dropped Rifle - Will Accuracy be Compromised

[KodiakBeer]

Bushnell scopes are notoriously weak. I'd assume it has lost zero, but only another range trip will tell.

 

[GooseGestapo]

It depends on the quality of the hardware.
High quality mounts and scopes will scarcely be affected by such a minor fall. Cheaper equipment won't hold up so well.

I had the door of a shooting house blow open on a blustery January day in 1980. The door was one side and was only held by a piece of bailing wire wrapped around a nail. My rifle, an Interarms MkX Mauser .30/06 with Leupold rings and bases and Leupold Vari-X II 2x-7x fell ~25ft and stock landed first then scope. Disgusted I decended from the shooting house, retrieved my rifle, inspected it, and then decided to hunt a stand along a creek in hardwoods where any shots would be short. I took a smallish 6pt buck near dusk. Shot of 75yds was perfect and deer was DRT.

The next day, I checked it out at the range. It was a whopping 1" left at 100yds. However, circa 1987, I noticed that the crosshairs weren't horizontal to turret, and a change in elevation required a horizontal adjustment. Scope had also been moved to a Custom M98 but was giving sub moa.

I sent it to Leupold, and also requested they replace the multi-X reticle with a Leupold Dot. They found that the reticle was partially detached. They repaired the scope, replaced the front and rear objective lenses which had the coating rubbed off from frequent hunting in damp conditions. Total cost (1987) was $35.00 for new reticle. No charge for repairing damage or replacing worn glass, replacing internal seals (O-rings), and recharging with nitrogen.
I shot a deer yesterday with a Browning BLR with that same scope on it. I bought the scope "used" in 1975 for $75.00.
I got a bargain!!!
I own seven Leupolds. All have been bought "used". Why buy new when they have lifetime warranties. One (a VariX-III 1.5-5x was bad when I bought it; They couldn't fix it, so sent me a NEW VX-III). Only cost me the shipping to send it to them...

I've had similar "drops" with lesser scopes. All have had zero's shift "some" to scope being destroyed. However, all have had warranties honored. (Except an old "Tasco" 6x that was already compromised when I got it.(was on a used rifle I bought). The current importer of Tasco wouldn't honor the warranty on the old scope. I've used it for "parts" (turret caps,ects).

You can do a rough check by pulling the bolt and aligning the bore with a distant object (approx. zero range) and see if it still is "somewhat" lined up. Otherwise, a sighter shot is in order.
If it was a Leupold or better, and steel rings/bases, I'd have better news.........

 

[Greg Mercurio]

No. Accuracy is the inherent ability of the mechanical system to place the bullet in the same location every time. But your zero may have changed.

 

[helotaxi]

Accuracy is the inherent ability of the mechanical system to place the bullet in the same location every time. But your zero may have changed.

The highlighted portion is actually the definition of precision. Accuracy is hitting where you aim. The scope getting knocked sideways (but not actually breaking) WOULD affect accuracy, not precision. The word "accuracy" in shooting circles is greatly misused.

 

[mortablunt]

Go give it a few shots.

 

[Greg Mercurio]

helotaxi: Got me. Engineer? Pilot for sure.

Semantics aside, the scope probably took a lower impulse than a recoil event. I'd be surprised if zero changed at all.

 

[mljdeckard]

I think this is where the difference in price comes into play. Simmons scope and Wal-Mart rings v Leopold (or similar higher-end tube) and Badger ordnance rings and mount. Worth EVERY penny? Maybe not. But is there a difference? Now is where you find out.

 

[helotaxi]

helotaxi: Got me. Engineer? Pilot for sure.

"Fluffy" degree from an engineering school. 7 engineering classes, 2 semesters of physics, one of chem, 3 semester of Calculus and statistics...all for a degree in Economics

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I'd assume it has lost zero, but only another range trip will tell.

Exactly. You have to shoot it to prove that it is still on. Until then it is off zero.

 

[BADUNAME37]

My take on it is, the better the scope, rings and mounts, the more you can rely on them to stay on zero. Before I purchased only LEUPOLD scopes, I would chase bullet holes all over the target before the gun was FINALLY sighted-in! However, how could I really be sure the gun was FINALLY sighted in if the scope adjustments were all over the place while sighting in?

As others mentioned, you can buy an expensive, high quality scope to begin with and save shooting all that ammo just to get it sighted in, or you can save a lot of money in the scope-department, but then spend many hours and much frustration getting the thing sighted in. Then, on top of all the ammo you just wasted, you will always be wondering if the scope is going to stay adjusted to where it was shooting when you were finally satisfied at the range bench.

I have more important things to do with my time than run to the range every time I bump my rifle, of course every user's mileage will vary.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I have more important things to do with my time than run to the range every time I bump my rifle, of course every user's mileage will vary.

Good theory but fails in the reality department. Even "high dollar" scope set-ups are subject to damage sometimes even "slight jars". Once you know your set-up has been compromised,do you risk the shot of a lifetime because you didn't check to make certain your scope was still zeroed? As my favorite president once said "Trust..but verify."

 

[BADUNAME37]

Good theory but fails in the reality department......

Suppose it is the end of the day and before sun-up the next morning you will be on a plane to Africa (for hunting Safari)?

Suppose you don't have the luxury of going to the range before this $9,000 hunting expedition?

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Suppose you don't have the luxury of going to the range before this $9,000 hunting expedition?

Suppose you miss that huge charging lion because your scope has been jarred off? How much are you willing to risk on "it SHOULD still be zeroed"?

 

[Murphys Law]

Suppose you miss that huge charging lion because your scope has been jarred off? How much are you willing to risk on "it SHOULD still be zeroed"?

Especially after a flight. Have you seen what baggage handlers due to a gun case?

 

[BADUNAME37]

Suppose you miss that huge charging lion because your scope has been jarred off? How much are you willing to risk on "it SHOULD still be zeroed"?

Suppose one minute before that lion charges you happened to accidentally drop your fine rifle onto a rock - the first time you have ever dropped a gun in your life, just at the wrong time?

That is precisely why I purchase the best glass, rings and mount(s) I can afford (typically all Leupold components). I would have much more faith in my $800 Leupold setup after dropping the rifle onto the rock and aiming at a charging lion 60 seconds later than I would with $23 rings and mounts and a <$99. scope!

That's why, if I EVER bump my rifle, I don't need to verify, already been there and done that and it still holds its zero! I suppose if the rifle fell down a flight of fifteen steps, then I MIGHT go to the range to be sure that it is on. However, based on times past, any bump or jarring of the gun and scope has never changed my Vari-X-III.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Especially after a flight. Have you seen what baggage handlers due to a gun case?

Exactly, that is why I trust Leupold components
Period

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Suit yourself. Your rifle,your hunt,your risk. I'll always verify my zero or I won't take it hunting.

Suppose one minute before that lion charges you happened to accidentally drop your fine rifle onto a rock

Emergency situations are just do what you have to do.

 

[helotaxi]

Suit yourself. Your rifle,your hunt,your risk. I'll always verify my zero or I won't take it hunting.

So you have never dropped your rifle while hunting, somehow magically get your rifle to and from and through the spot where take it out of the case for your actual hunt without ever bumping it, and if you do manage to bump it, you scrap the hunt and verify the zero? Good thing serious hunters have more faith in their gear than you. Same with military snipers and shooters in general. Good optics are not bothered in the slightest by the rifle being bumped or dropped from a reasonable height onto rock. Same with good optics mounts. That rugged quality is one of the main things you pay a bit more for with a good scope.

 

[BADUNAME37]

So you have never dropped your rifle while hunting, somehow magically get your rifle to and from and through the spot where take it out of the case for your actual hunt without ever bumping it, and if you do manage to bump it, you scrap the hunt and verify the zero? Good thing serious hunters have more faith in their gear than you. Same with military snipers and shooters in general. Good optics are not bothered in the slightest by the rifle being bumped or dropped from a reasonable height onto rock. Same with good optics mounts. That rugged quality is one of the main things you pay a bit more for with a good scope.

Thank you, I could not have said it better.
I agree 100%

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Good thing serious hunters have more faith in their gear than you.

So now I'm not a serious hunter because I insist on proving my equipment? I use Leupold and Nikon almost exclusively now(with the odd Weaver thrown in) and NO I will not hunt with any of them without a test run at the range.

 

[Eb1]

Take the first shot @ 25 yards to make sure you zero is close. Other wise you could be shooting blindly at longer distances trying to verify. If you hit close @ 25 yards move the target back.

This is what I would do.