How often do you resight your scope?

[Red Label]

I am mostly a shotgun nut so I don't use my rifles all that often, however I have a Savage .22 magnum with the heavy barrel that I use for the occasional groundhog and such. My problem is that my scope never seems to hold its zero. It will end up being an inch or so off one way or another more often than I think it ought to be. This gun doesn't get hard use so it isn't getting knocked around. It just seems that I need to keep resighting it in if I want to hit anything Are scopes all this finicky or is it just mine? BTW it is a Simmons 8-point.

 

[Charles S]

Red Label,

Your scope should not "loose its zero." Are you changing to a different 22 mag load? That will affect point of impact.

I have not had good luck with Simmons rifle scopes, but I have found their customer service to be outstanding. I have had three different Simmons scopes to fail. The last Simmons I bought was a Simmons Atec and it failed after a few shots on a light 300 Win Mag.

I have an older Leupold Vari-X III that I placed on a lightly customized Remington 700 30-06 in 1993. I check my zero each year before I start hunting and it has not changed yet. The only time I have to re-zero is if I choose to load a different load for it.

My advice would be to try a better scope. I have had good luck with the Bushnell Trophy series of scopes. I have just purchased a Sightron II I am interested in how it will perform.

Charles

 

[P0832177]

I guess the old saying you get what you pay for applies. I have no problems with having an accurate cold bore shot out of my 223 uppers. Dial in the elevation I am on the money. Remove the scopes from the base, and if they are retorqued properly when reinstalled close enough.

But then they are Loopy scopes in BO rings. The same with my 700 it is right on the money!

But, I have Bushnell on my 10/22 that is 18 years old and it holds pretty good! But, I make sure things are tight when I put the gun away.

I would take the gun bases apart and lap the rings. Then really do a good job mounting the scope. And, see how that plays out for you!

 

[gm]

something is definatly loose, Ive had the same cheapo tasco on my varmiter for the last 10 years and the only time I adjust it is when Im checking it for windage and long range shots.

I always shoot 3 shots through it after cleaning it to recheck zero then head back to the woods..the 3 shots seemingly clean out any solvents or oils that might have gone into it. Its been consistant and accurate to this day.

I would try a different scope as a last resort, the recticle might be loose internally or the screws in the turrents weak.. but at least try loctiting the rings down with a drop of blue loctite on each screw..let it set for a day or so then resight it in.if it still is shifting,take a look at the attachment point to the receiver.


could also be a burr of something in the barrel channel. the barrels do move when you shoot,you cant see it but its going on, a chip of wood loosly setting in there or a screw that is too long and resting on the barrel will throw the accuracy off.

could just be a simple thing as changing ammo.get 1 kind of ammo,same brand and then sight in the gun,dont try anything else.what ranges are you shooting it?check the bullet tradgectories.

 

[dakotasin]

Are scopes all this finicky or is it just mine?

no, just simmons...

when you put a scope on a rifle, realize the scope is every bit as important as the rifle itself.

put a good scope in solid mounts, and you'll never have that problem again.

 

[Art Eatman]

My only Simmons experience is with a 1997-vintage 44Mag 3x10. It's not worth a hoot for "repeatability" in the adjustments, but if I do my more ususal "set it and forget it", it never moves off zero.

Generally, if a stock isn't free-floated in the forearm, changes in humidity can affect the amount of pressure against the barrel. This will definitely affect the zero. That's one advantage of the "plastic" stocks. It's also a reason I seal the inside of the forearm of my "serious" rifles--usually with a liquid wax.

FWIW, Art

 

[HSMITH]

I got rid of all the cheap scopes I had, I replaced them all with Leupolds and also went to Leupold Dual Dovetail mounts on everything I have that they make one for. I have not had to adjust ANYTHING unless I changed loads. They don't move. If I am working on a new load and shooting at one target I can get 6-9 groups by just dialing around the aiming point, the adjustments also repeat perfectly.

Buy a quality scope, put some good mounts on it, and 10-1 I bet your problem goes away.

 

[ksnecktieman]

Someone needs to be different, I volunteer this time. How about your cheek weld to the stock? If you are wearing different clothes, your rifle will shoulder differently, and if your eye is not in the same position behind the scope you will hit in a different spot. Parallax is the term. Try laying your rifle on something where you can look through the scope, preferably at the range you normally shoot, look through the scope without touching the rifle, move your head around and see if the crosshairs "wander" around the target.

This is a common problem at the range a .22 is normally shot. The mechanical fix is a scope designed for a .22 with an adjustable objective. If you practice your hold, and cheek weld on the rifle, you may get it within a tolerance level you can accept.

Good luck

 

[Bwana John]

Generally, if a stock isn't free-floated in the forearm, changes in humidity can affect the amount of pressure against the barrel. This will definitely affect the zero.

I agree. The parallax thing also if shooting much closer than the scope is set up for.

 

[Red Label]

I bought this gun from a friend of mine with the scope already on it and I must admit I have never checked the mounts or really anything else. I appreciate the input. I think I will start by taking the scope off and remounting it properly. I had heard to use loctite before so I will start with that. As far as getting what you pay for I definately agree with that. If I cant get this setup to work a Leupold may be in the cards.