Scope Question #2

[Sinsaba]

Reading someone else's scope question prompted me to post this question...

The other day at the NRA range I put a little 4X Nikon scope on my AR. I couldn't shoot worth a dam%!. My groups were better with my iron sights. I checked the scope seemed firm in the rings and the rings seemed firm on the rail.

I assume that the problem is operator error but as I said, I can do better groups with iron sights than I was with the scope. Notice I'm not talking about POI but groups.

Any thoughts?

 

[mtnbkr]

How were you shooting? Offhand, benched, etc? If benched, were you using one of the standard square tables or one of the rifle tables? The square tables aren't very stable. My groups nearly double just by using one of those tables rather than one of the rifle benches.

Chris

 

[f4t9r]

Nikon scopes are very nice
Im sure you had it bore sighted and and made adjustments to the scope when target shooting. If not that could be the problem.
Other than that send it back , it has a lifetime warrenty

 

[Sergeant Sabre]

I have kind of had a feeling for a while that when people use good iron sights and can't see the precise point the rifle is pointing at, they just line up and "take the shot". Conversely, a scope allows you to see exactly where you are pointing, and also magnifies any movements you make. I feel that that may lead to a shooter trying to "muscle" the rifle around, rather than just using good form and shooting, as with iron sights.

It's just a thought...

 

[Sinsaba]

How were you shooting? Offhand, benched, etc? If benched, were you using one of the standard square tables or one of the rifle tables? The square tables aren't very stable. My groups nearly double just by using one of those tables rather than one of the rifle benches.

Chris

I see your point, I was using one of the square tables (I should have gone prone). But, my thinking is that if that were the issue, it would have had the same effect on my shooting with the iron sights.

Nikon scopes are very nice
Im sure you had it bore sighted and and made adjustments to the scope when target shooting. If not that could be the problem.
Other than that send it back , it has a lifetime warrenty

Actually, I didn't have it bore sighted. And I didn't make adjustments. The sights were putting it on paper at 50 yards and before I could make adjustments I needed a somewhat decent group. My "group" was about 4" (that's not a group... that random distribution!!... almost).

From the same position, I was getting groups half the size with iron sights

 

[mtnbkr]

Isn't your AR an A2 style? If so, have you checked the mount? A2 compatible mounts haven't really impressed me (not that I've closely examined them...). Make sure the scope is mounted securely.

Chris

 

[f4t9r]

so the shots are spread all over in a 4" area ? and you already checked mount of scope and rings

With the scope , I would say use a rest of some type so you know you can hold in one place and know gun is not moving around
if you do not have a good group to make adjustments from after that. I would not know what to say.
Goodluck

 

[Sinsaba]

Isn't your AR an A2 style? If so, have you checked the mount? A2 compatible mounts haven't really impressed me (not that I've closely examined them...). Make sure the scope is mounted securely.

Chris

I've got a flat top

 

[mtnbkr]

Hmm. Well, after making sure everything is nice and tight, test fire again from a solid surface (prone or rifle bench). If your groups are still poor, then send the scope back.

If you can borrow another scope, you could always try that before sending the Nikon back. Even a properly functioning, yet cheap, scope should show an improvement if it is a scope problem.

Chris

 

[Sinsaba]

Hmm. Well, after making sure everything is nice and tight, test fire again from a solid surface (prone or rifle bench). If your groups are still poor, then send the scope back.

If you can borrow another scope, you could always try that before sending the Nikon back. Even a properly functioning, yet cheap, scope should show an improvement if it is a scope problem.

Chris

You mean I have to go back to the range!! Aww gee!!!

Good idea about taking another scope... I've got a couple of others to try.