Nikon FX-1000, real confidence killer.

I've been thrilled with my Nikon Black FX-1000 6x24-50SF MRAD FFP scope until today.

Had it about a year, and its been wonderful, but today it was off ~6 MIL! Unbelievable!!! Last time out, (last week) I was nailing the smallest plate (6") at 300 yards. Today couldn't hit squat. I did my usual "box" to get back on if I've changed lots of ammo (could have, haven't been paying attention as the lot to lot variations generally seem about the same as wind or temperature/humidity effects).

Finally after being 0 for 10, I pulled the bolt and bore sighted. Couldn't believe my eyes the bore was showing the next target frame over ~6 MIL to my right! I put in the bolt, held 5.5 MIL right and rang the plate three times in a row, elevation was fine, group was about what I'd expect. I dialed in 5.8 MIL left and was back to hitting the 6" plate.

But this was a real confidence killer. Especially after my experience described in this thread, right after I got the FX-1000: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...allenge-got-me-thinking.837693/#post-10852503

I sent an Email to Nikon customer support see what they have to say or if they want me to send it back for a look-see.

Only thing I can figure is the cased rifle (softside, padded, two gun case) with it and my wife's rifles inside, slipped off the bed onto the floor before I headed to the range as I reached back to pick up the suppressor I'd forgotten to put inside, noticing after I'd about completely zipped it up. But the "fall" was barely 3' onto a thick carpet. Its bounced around in the back of an ATV inside that case much worse that that little fall would seem to be without any issues.

My wife's rifle ("cheap Millet 4x16-50) was dead on out of the bag so I didn't expect any issue when my turn came up, big disappointment.

Got a quick reply from Nikon:

Question details:
Sudden zero shift!
Created: 07/02/2019 by Email | Reference #: 03352141
Response from Timothy W.
You could send in the scope to service to be evaluated. You do have a lifetime, no fault warranty on it. If the scope seems to be working correctly now then you would have to decide. Its hard to say without service examining the item.

This will be covered under the warranty. You do not need the sales receipt or warranty card.

For Nikon Service information, please see:

Title: How do I get my Nikon product serviced?
URL: https://repair.nikonusa.com/en/ProductEntry

Nikon Service and Repair Center:
6420 Wilshire Boulevard
Suite 100
Los Angeles, California 90048-5501

There is no need to call in advance for any approval or authorization; simply send the product in for evaluation with no accessories, unless part of the issue. Once logged in, service will send you a confirmation.

Sorry for the problems you have had with your Nikon product; Nikon Service strives to evaluate and repair all items as quickly as possible.

Click to expand...

I'm going to shoot it some more and see what happens. I certainly will send it back to them if it shifts again and I can't find anything else wrong. Good to see they are backing their product.

Took it out again this morning to celebrate the 4th with the wife. It had moved significantly again just going home and back to the range. Everything is rock solid, nothing "rattles" inside the scope. Next week I'll swap in a different scope to verify its nothing with the rifle or mounts, and then return the scope to Nikon.

My wife had an impressive 19 out of 20 on the steel plates at 300 yards with her 5.56 18" AR, especially since its been over six months since she last shot. Great way to start celebrating the 4th of July!

Thought I'd follow up.

Nothing was "loose" as far as I could tell, but it seems the problem was the rear "cam" on the QD mounts had lost tension which caused the shift. Torqued it back up and the POA/POI basically moved back to where it was before the shift event (within the tolerance of the ammo lot change that happened during my trying to figure things out), I hadn't reset the turret zero indicator.

So I'm back to loving the scope and Nikon offered to take a look at it and send me a replacement if anything was wrong with it, no hassles there, but it wasn't needed. I needed to solve the mystery to be satisfied.

Removing the QD mounts to check the mounting rail suggested by AllenOne1 was the Rosetta Stone -- the lack of tension on the rear QD mount was a big Aha! moment.

I've run about 200 rounds of various ammo since discovering the solution and the scope has held zero and tracked perfectly.