What would cause a scope crosshair to misalign?

[bigalexe]

I have a Simmons 3-9x30 (maybe 40mm) scope mounted on a .22lr Bolt Action Savage. This is NOT a high-power rifle and this IS a rifle scope.

I got the scope in March NIB, I have used it many times at the range since but today the crosshair became misaligned so now it is tilted maybe 15 degrees off of where it should be. The scope is still correct in the rings, just the crosshair tilted. Up until today I have never had a problem with the scope losing zero or anything.

What can I do to fix it and how may it have happened?

 

[hometheaterman]

Common complaint with cheap scopes. Just toss it and buy another one or a better one. I think that I read something online though on how to take it apart and fix this issue, but once you do that it will no longer be sealed and may fog up. Pretty much best to just replace it.

 

[Robert Wilson]

Chances are that Simmons will fix it at no charge. It certainly won't hurt to ask them.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

I'm going on memory so if its wrong...don't blame me. (blame the adventures of my youth)

But I think I remember reading somewhere that the vibrations caused by rim fire rounds can be hard on even rifle scopes...thats one reason there are rim fire scopes, purpose built.

 

[LaserSpot]

But I think I remember reading somewhere that the vibrations caused by rim fire rounds can be hard on even rifle scopes...thats one reason there are rim fire scopes, purpose built.

You must be thinking of scopes for spring-piston air rifles. The reason they have special rimfire scopes is that they're focused to be parallax free at a closer range, e.g. 75 yards rather than 150 yards.

The scope should be under warranty; call Simmons and they'll give you a new one.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

I think you're right...air rifles.

 

[slowr1der]

Yep, it's air rifles. While Simmons does have a lifetime warranty, from how it seems it kind of sucks. You have to pay to ship the scope to them which is around $10 every time I've shipped a scope with UPS. Then you have to send them a check for $10 to pay for them to ship it back to you. By that time, you've already paid half of what the scope costs.

 

[sgte5]

But, the key words are (half of what the scope costs). If you like the scope, send it in and get it fixed.

 

[ranger335v]

"the crosshair became misaligned so now it is tilted maybe 15 degrees off of where it should be."

It's because the reticle came loose.

Pay the money to ship it back and forth for a "free repair". Who knows, it may even last a little longer before it happens again or something else comes loose. Sorry, but it is a Simmons.

 

[slowr1der]

But, the key words are (half of what the scope costs). If you like the scope, send it in and get it fixed.

Yea, but they are cheap crappy scopes, and you could probably buy a used working one for the same price. When you have to keep sending them in and paying that, it adds up.

 

[Robert Wilson]

I have a Simmons scope that has stood up to thousands of rounds of .30 caliber cartridges on several different rifles. I've also had Tascos and blister pack Bushnels stand up to essentially the same treatment. "Cheap" doesn't automatically equate to "fragile" in rifle scopes. You aren't going to get great glass for under $100, and you're probably not gong to get repeatable adjustments either. You can expect to get a scope that will stand up to plenty of use, however.

 

[bigalexe]

Well I am back to V-notch iron sights for now, probably do me well do get some practice that way.

I will probably ship it back eventually.