Scope mount problem

[Red Tornado]

I recently tried to mount a scope on my Ruger 10/22, with standard 1" mounts from a local gunshop, which fit on the rail, and also the 10/22 see-thru mounts from Wal-mart which screw directly into the barrel. Both had the same problem, shot about 4" low at 25 yds. From what I read, this was far enough off that it is a problem with the mounting system.

I'm not sure the scope is the problem, but it's not a rimfire scope so it could be. I'm using a BSA 3-9x40 Deerhunter and the adjustments are 1/4" at 100 yds per click. I'm off by 4" at 25 yds, so internal adjustment is not a solution. 64 clicks up.....uh, no.

I also tried the scope and standard mounts on a Remington 552, and came out about 6" low.

Do I just need to get a rimfire scope?

I'm still a newbie, and this will be the first scope I've mounted, (assuming it ever gets mounted) so any suggestions or any direction anyone could send me in would be appreciated. (Wisecracks are, of course, always appreciated as well.

I've been shooting iron sights for almost a year now, and would like to get one of my .22s scoped. The concept of actually being able to focus on my target seems strange and wonderful. Since I can't find hi-power glasses, a scope seems like the best option.
Thanks,
RT

 

[Majic]

First try switching the mounts. One maybe taller than the other. If that doesn't work you can shim the scope. Cut strips of thin metal (a drink can) to fit in the bottom half of the front ring. Add enough shims to bring the scope up level with the bore.

 

[Jim K]

The scope sounds like it is the problem. The fact that it is not made for a rimfire rifle is irrelevant; many people mount better scopes on rimfires because the scopes made for .22's are usually not of high quality. As long as the front bell is not hitting anything, it should be OK.

First, make sure the scope is centered. Run the crosshairs all the way down, then all the way up, counting clicks. Then come down half that number. Do the same right and left, and the crosshairs will be centered in the scope. If you still don't have enough room to zero the rifle, try another scope.

Jim

 

[ocabj]

Are you saying that after you tried to dial the scope's elevation to zero in at 25 yards, it topped out and you are still 4 inches low at 25 yards?

 

[Red Tornado]

It was 4 inches low initially, and according to the instructions, the 64 plus clicks it would have taken to zero it in was more than should be necessary. The manual suggested it was probably a mount problem. (Of course, being the scope manual, what else would they suggest? ) I never did try adjusting the elevation to the extremes, as Jim suggested.


Anyway, I tried Majic's suggestion this afternoon, and after playing with some shims, finally got it level. I was then able to bring it to the left and hit center, just before dark.

I'll zero it in at 50 yards later this week, and try checking the center on the scope at that time.

Thanks for all the suggestions. It's amazing how much I'm learning on THR. I'm sure I'll soon know enough to know how much I don't know.
RT

P.S. I'm still looking for a good tag line.

 

[shoobe01]

I did just recently get an otherwise perfectly nice Elite 3200 that was at the edge of its adjustment range. Couldn't figure it out, except luckily it had externally visible adjustment marks which I finally noticed. So, its possible to get a non-centered scope from the factory.