Scope way off to one side

[erwann]

Hi,

I sighted in my new scope today (Vortex Venom 5-25x56) on my Ruger American. My first shots landed about 8 MOA to the left. Now that I'm zeroed my windage adjustment range is about 38 MOA to one side and 47 to the other. Is this normal? My previous scope was pretty much dead on in terms of windage. I'm mechanically inclined, I watched a lot of scope mounting videos, I have good tools and leveling accessories, I followed the manufacturer's instructions to a T, etc. I just think it's strange that my scope's initial 0 was so far to one side. Is it normal or is it indicative of a mounting error?

Thank you!

 

[Walkalong]

That's close enough to center it won't be an issue, just means the rail/rings/mounts used don't run true with the bore.

I generally bore sight (the old fashioned way) before shooting a round, and go from there, and have never checked to see where it ends up left to right in the scopes adjustment, so I am blissfully ignorant of that info. I don't remember having to adjust the windage dial that much to get one centered though.

What mounts?

 

[MEHavey]

Eight minutes on 1st shots after new installation/bore sight ?
I'm surprised it was that close.

 

[erwann]

What mounts?

I'm using Warne medium height rings. I don't love them, I should have gotten the Vortex Match ones.

Eight minutes on 1st shots after new installation/bore sight ?
I'm surprised it was that close.

Haha thanks!

 

[jmorris]

You could get Leupold STD bases and rings, they adjust for windag, so the scope could be in the center of adjustment. I have not seen any STD mounts that have say 20 MOA of elevation machined into them though and that’s the adjustment you would be more likely to run out of.

 

[erwann]

You could get Leupold STD bases and rings, they adjust for windag, so the scope could be in the center of adjustment. I have not seen any STD mounts that have say 20 MOA of elevation machined into them though and that’s the adjustment you would be more likely to run out of.

Thanks, these do sound good, but like you said I couldn't find a 20 MOA version.

 

[LoonWulf]

As long as im not coming close to maxing out in any direction indont worry about it.
I only dial enough windage correction so that i can hold somewhere on target tho, which is at most 1-2moa usually.

I run Warnes on most of my railed rifles, but have never tried their 34mm rings. On those im using a no-name and a set of Riton/Contessa rings. Havent tried the Vortex rings yet.

 

[Walkalong]

As long as im not coming close to maxing out in any direction indont worry about it.

Yep.

I run Warnes on most of my railed rifles, but have never tried their 34mm rings. On those im using a no-name and a set of Riton/Contessa rings. Havent tried the Vortex rings yet.

My buddy is running Warne rings on his 6GT, with no issues. The Vortex Pro rings are pretty good, I have a set sitting in the safe. I would probably buy the XLR rings over the Vortex Pro in the future.

 

[jmorris]

Thanks, these do sound good, but like you said I couldn't find a 20 MOA version.

I am with the guys that say it doesn’t matter much but I remembered my Millet rings are also adjustable for windage and there are others as well.

Google “windage adjustable scope rings” and click on images, there are a number of them.

 

[12Bravo20]

It is only when you are maxed out one way or the other when trying to zero the scope that you have to worry about it.

 

[lightman]

Hi,

I sighted in my new scope today (Vortex Venom 5-25x56) on my Ruger American. My first shots landed about 8 MOA to the left. Now that I'm zeroed my windage adjustment range is about 38 MOA to one side and 47 to the other. Is this normal? My previous scope was pretty much dead on in terms of windage. I'm mechanically inclined, I watched a lot of scope mounting videos, I have good tools and leveling accessories, I followed the manufacturer's instructions to a T, etc. I just think it's strange that my scope's initial 0 was so far to one side. Is it normal or is it indicative of a mounting error?

Thank you!

I prefer mine to be centered closer than that but like the others have said, that will work. The last few scopes that I mounted were on rifles with rails and windage was not adjustable in the mount. Thankfully the rifle action and the rail were machined close enough that my windage was centered or nearly so. The next 3 that I have to mount are also on rails so I will be paying attention to the windage! I bore site mine by using my rifle rest on the island in the kitchen and sighting on the window panes at the end of the room. This has always gotten me on paper for the first shot.

 

[erwann]

Thanks for the replies. I spent the evening adjusting everything and loading ammo very carefully and it looks like I was able to bring it back 3 minutes closer to the center, which makes me feel a bit better

 

[jmr40]

You don't want windage adjustable mounts. Those were invented years ago when rifles were not drilled and tapped from the factory. You had to have them drilled by a gunsmith and it was quite normal for them to be off by a lot more than 8 MOA. Even some early rifles drilled at the factory were less than perfect. Without them you'd sometimes completely run out of scope adjustment and never get the rifle zeroed. They used to be the go-to mounts because of this.

Any more the mounting holes in a rifle receiver are drilled straight enough to not need them. There are a lot of negatives to using them and it isn't worth the trouble unless you have an older rifle that needs them. Any modern rifle that needs adjustable mounts to get the scope zeroed should be considered defective and returned.

 

[Laphroaig]

I am blissfully ignorant

There are many things in life that we are better off not knowing. You still have plenty of adjustment remaining should the need arise. There are ways to fix that but not worth the trouble IMO.

 

[greyling22]

You could use Burris signature rings with the pos-align inserts. It's also very possible your scope is at fault. Vortex has a high failure rate due to poor qc. You know why everyone raves about vortex's warranty? Everyone has had to use it.

 

[cdb1]

Now that I'm zeroed my windage adjustment range is about 38 MOA to one side and 47 to the other. Is this normal?

It’s normal to me.

I'm using Warne medium height rings. I don't love them, I should have gotten the Vortex Match ones.

I use Warne. Many people don’t like them because they are vertically as opposed to horizontally split, but I like them.

I would run away from Millett rings as fast as I could.