Scope Bases For Smith & Wesson 1500 in 25-06

[PCCUSNRET]

Hope this is the right forum for this post, if not please move it over to the correct one. I just purchased a Nikon scope for this rifle and took it to the range today to sight it in. At 50yds the Up & Down dial bottomed out. The gun was shooting about 24" low and I couldn't turn the dial any further to move the point of impact any higher. Not sure if this is a problem with the scope or if the fellow that I purchased the gun from was using the wrong bases. The bases are Leupold and both are approximately the same thickness. I checked on Midway for a set (they are sold out) and it appears that one of the bases it thicker than the other.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=699253

If anyone happens to have one of these rifles could you confirm this for me? Since the scope was pretty scratched and dinged up when I received it, the problem may be internal and not the bases. The scope I removed was an old Bushness Scopechief and I had no problem with it bottoming out. Thanks in advance!

 

[natman]

Leupold makes several different kinds of bases. The S&W 1500 is the same as a Howa 1500 and it takes Remington 700 bases. Find the kind of base you should have here and compare it to the bases you have.

 

[jmr40]

You have the wrong bases. On almost all bolt actions the rear of the receiver bridge is lower, requiring a base that is thicker on the rear to get your scope level. You may have damaged your scope by putting it in a bind with the bases you have as well.

 

[PCCUSNRET]

Thanks to you both. Would have never suspected that the fellow I purchased this gun from would have used the wrong bases, especially since it came with a "working" scope already mounted on this gun. If I did put a "bind" in this scope, is this something that Nikon could possibly fix or is the scope toast? I had a brand new Pentax also go out on me this weekend (cannot focus when cranked all the way up) so I will give it a try on this gun to see if it will work on this gun. Thanks again for your help.

Best,

Chuck

 

[ants]

Quick dumb scope test Dad showed me (probably Grandpa showed him)

Center the reticle again and turn the scope 90 degrees in the rings and shoot again (or bore sight, see below). If the problem is the scope, the 24" offset will travel 90 degrees with the scope. If Point of Impact still 24" low after adjustment, it's not the scope.

Very good chance that you did NOT mess up the tube. But don't snug the rings too tight for the test.

Also, take the top off the front ring and see how the tube sits. If it sits above the front ring, that will tell you if the front is too low.

Don't forget that it may mismatched rings - like a low ring in front and a medium ring rear.

PS: Those laser-in-the-bore boresighters are great for checking a scope without firing a shot. Similar to this one http://www.walmart.com/ip/CenterPoint-Laser-Boresighter/15084503 but mine was only 20 bucks. It isn't dead on accurate, but it's close enough.

 

[PCCUSNRET]

You have the wrong bases. On almost all bolt actions the rear of the receiver bridge is lower, requiring a base that is thicker on the rear to get your scope level. You may have damaged your scope by putting it in a bind with the bases you have as well.

Good eye! You were correct, the fellow that owned this gun before the pawn shop used the wrong bases on this gun. I found it takes the same bases as a Remington 700 (which I just happened to have an extra set). I installed the new bases and the scope works just fine. Still amazes me that the Bushnell scope that was on it before worked just fine with the wrong bases. Thanks for your help!

Chuck