Winchester 30-30 Scope Problem

[sbdunc12]

I have been lurking here for a while, but I finally have a question I can't find an answer to.

I have a Winchester 30-30 that I cannot get sighted in. At 25 yards (forget about trying to hit the target at 100 yards), the bullet hits 8 inches away from the cross hairs even after moving the scope adjustment all the way . I initially thought the problem was the scope since it is old, so I tried a newer Leupold 3x9 with new scope rings, but I had the same problem. The crosshairs would not move far enough to align with the bullet.

I am not really sure what to try next. The gun used to shoot perfectly, but I have not used it in about 6 years. Does anybody have any suggestions?

Here are some pictures of the gun and original scope. It is a Redfield 4x

 

[easy]

How does it shoot with irons? I see that they are still on the rifle.

 

[AKElroy]

Could be several things.

1. Loose bases; did you use locktite? (blue only)
2. When mounting the bases, did you carefully alternate tightening each mounting bolt with the same number of turns each?
3. Ditto the mounts & rings?
4. I noticed when using Weaver bases, mounts & rings, that each screw head on both the bases and rings all indexed the same number of turns on my 94, with the slots almost lining up with each other. Makes it easy to get everything mounted evenly. (this was with a steel tube scope, though)
5. It is always possible that either the bases or receiver were improperly drilled. I would swap the bases first, and maybe stick with all weaver hardware for the rings & bases.

 

[NCsmitty]

Welcome to THR, sbdunc12.

Just a thought, if it's not loose mounts, check the crown of the barrel for any visible damage to the front of the bore.


NCsmitty

 

[sbdunc12]

I didn't even think about trying the iron sights. Why didn't I think of that? :banghead:

I unscrewed the bases an rings and re-tightened them, but I did not use locktite. Should I be using that on scope mounts?

When I retightened the screws, I alternated tightening the screws, but I did not count or make sure they turned the same number of times. I will try that and see if the bore sighter will line up.

I guess I should try new scope bases. I have not found any locally so I think I will order some off of Midway. I am a little hesitant to blame them because there isn't a lot to mess up on scope bases. They seem pretty basic and foolproof, but maybe I am assuming too much.

 

[sbdunc12]

I checked the barrel and couldn't see any visible damage. Overall the gun looks to be in good shape with very little wear.

I should also mention that the gun shot consistently in the same spot, just not where I wanted it to go.

 

[AKElroy]

I got my bases from Midway, and the mounts & rings are available at wallyworld. I use locktite on the base screws, not on the ring screws. Only use the blue locktite if you want to have the option of removing any of the hardware without damage in the future.

 

[Steve Marshall]

Your basesare probably crooked.