Leupold VX-R scope problems zeroing

[inkinskin]

I recently acquired a Leupold VX-R Zombie edition scope through a trade. First off the scope is very high quality, and has a green fire dot in the center of the reticle which I really like. I mounted the scope on the upper receiver on my Sig 556 (I made sure to mount it on the solid section, not the middle where the forend and the receiver meet). I used scope rings that are the same elevation as a cantilever mount and I used a a level to make sure it was right.

I took it to the range this morning to zero it in and started at the 25 yard line just like I have before with any other scope I have sighted in. I took my first 3 shots, checked my target and noticed I was about 9 inches left and about 6 inches low. I started making my adjustments to "walk it in" just like I have before and took my next 3. This got me 5 inches left and 4 inches low. I went to make more adjustments and only got 1-2 clicks in and the turrets stopped due to them being maxed out. So now I have the adjustments maxed out and I am off 4-5 inches left and low at 25 yards.

At this point I am confused and think I'm going crazy. I took the scope off and remounted the rings & remounted the scope on the rifle. I even thought maybe if I put the turrets directly at 0 (not + or -) when I mounted it it would make a difference, but when I took my first shots I wasn't even on the paper. Moved them back to the farthest adjustment and got the same results.

I am going to go back to the range Tuesday and use a riser bar in between the rifle and the scope rings to see if that changes anything. I'm sure it will help with the elevation but I'm worried about it being so far left. I have no problem sending it back to Leupold since it would be covered by their warranty and be repaired or replaced, but I would be much happier if I could somehow resolve the issue myself.

My question to all of you, is there anything I might be overlooking or is there something I can try before I send it back to Leupold?

Any help will be much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Chuck357]

Since you got the scope as a trade, there's no telling where the previous owner left the windage and elevation adjustments. I would suggest you re-zero both of them and try sighting-in again. The re-zeroing instructions should be in the section of the Leupold manual labeled "Centering windage and elevation adjustments to achieve optimum adjustment travel"

 

[Haxby]

Agree on centering the scope adjustments.
What kind of rings are these?
Maybe swap rings front to back, maybe turn them both around.
Pictures might help.

 

[inkinskin]

That's what I meant when I returned the windage and elevation knobs to 0. I counted the clicks and returned them halfway. I am going to go home tonight and try switching the rings around like Haxby suggested. I have a laser that I can line up at 25 yards in my back yard with my iron sights to see if I am close so I am keeping my fingers crossed. I also have a cantilever mount I am going to try in the rings fail.

I will post later what my results are. Thanks for the help so far.

 

[eastbank]

i had a scope that was driveing me crazy when trying to sight it i, turned out the reciever was tapped off center and the only way to get the scope centered for windage was to use a redfield mount with windage adjustments.. eastbank.

 

[inkinskin]

Ok so, yesterday it was raining so I wasn't able to do much. I did however make it to the range today to do some testing. I started my process off my making sure the turrets were centered, and then mounted the scope on a cantilever mount. I then mounted the cantilever on the top rail of my 556. My first shots were dead on center but about 7-8 inches low. After adjusting as much of the elevation that I could I was still 3 inches low at 25 yards.

I changed my target and came back to the bench. I took the scope off of the cantilever mount, and started messing with the scope rings I have. They sit about 2mm lower than the cantilever mount I was using. I mounted the scope with the rings on the rifle and took my shots. This got me about 2 inches low at 25 yards. After taking off the rings, switching them, and then finally having one ring in the front with the mounting hardware on the left side and the rear ring's hardware on the right, I got my shots about an inch and a half low at 25 yards with the adjustments maxed out for lower elevation.

I moved my target out to 50 yards (which is where I normally zero my scope at) and my shots were about an inch and a half high, so after re adjusting I am finally zeroed in and holding tight groups, but only have 2 or 3 clicks available now for lower elevation adjustments. I can just use the reticle to adjust for 25 yard shots, but am really surprised that the adjustments are so limited.

Is this normal, a leupold scope with 1.5-4X zoom not being able to zero at 25 yards? I have another 1.5-4X zoom scope by another manufacturer that will zero at 25 & 50 yards no problem while it sits on the cantilever mount along with a riser bar.

The only thing I can think of is to find some low profile 30mm scope rings and try them. I plan on calling Leupold tomorrow and see what they have to say. If you guys have any thoughts or further suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Haxby]

Nope, 100% not normal. Either the scope or the rifle/rail is screwed up. If a different scope will sight in on that rifle, the problem must be the scope.
You tried rings and a 1 piece mount. Lower rings aren't going to help anything.

one ring in the front with the mounting hardware on the left side and the rear ring's hardware on the right

That doesn't sound like a good idea.

 

[inkinskin]

Yeah my other scope has no problems at all with holding zero. My red dot has no problems. It's gotta be the scope. I'm calling Leupold in the morning and see what they have to say. Hopefully they will agree and fix it. I'll let you know what I hear.

Thanks for the input.

 

[jmr40]

I'd say it is perfecly normal. Scopes on AR's set so high above the bore that a 25 yard zero can be a bit challenging. As long as it maintains zero at whatever range you choose to use there isn't a scope problem. Trying different mounts could make a difference, but I'd not worry about it. I'd zero it at 100 yrds. Check to see where your point of impact is at ranges from 25 yards to as far as you plan on shooting and call it good.

 

[inkinskin]

I called Leupold this morning and determined the problem. My scope has exposed adjustment dials, and I was not aware that once they stop turning you can remove them, turn them past the stop mark, put them back on and keep adjusting. I was thinking that once the knobs stopped turning the adjustment was maxed out. I mounted the scope in my cantilever mount, re mounted it to the rifle, & did a open boresight at 25 yards in my backyard. It took a few times of removing the knob and further adjusting, but I am now on at 25 yards with plenty of adjustment left. I will be heading to the range asap so I can nail down my 50 yard zero again.

As far as my zero, I keep it on at 50 yards. I don't shoot farther than 200 yards & with the ammo I use I'm on at 50, about 3" high at 100 yards, 1 1/2" high at 150, & on at 200. I just use my mil dots to compensate for what distance it is.

Anyways I feel a ton better knowing I didn't have to send it back. Thanks for the input and advice. I will post results after re zero and am not shooting while I'm frustrated lol.