Does zeroed scope loose its accuracy when removed from the rifle & attach it again?

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spotter03

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Maybe this has been discussed before but still i need some lecture on this....
for Assault rifle & Sniper Rifle

thanks...
 
if the mount is already fixed on the scope, does it have big effect on its accuracy?

>> thanks Colt...
 
Yes, and yes.

Depending on your definition of zero.

A red dot sight zeroed to hit a man size target at 50 yards will retain it's zero close enough for government work.

A precision varmint, target, or sniper rifle used for long range would need to be sighted in again each time the scope was removed and replaced.

I don't care what kind of mount clamps you use!

rc
 
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if the mount is already fixed on the scope...


That would depend on a complete lack of "slop" or "play" in the attachment of the scope's mounting system to the rifle.
(and as rc has noted, those mount systems are few and far between!)

Additionally, did you ensure the scope mounts to be true axially? If not, that would add to the variability of the position of your re-mount.

Best to check your zero at the beginning of every season you shoot. After you do this once it becomes an easier procedure next time (provided the same scope and mount is used).
 
My Unertl ' s come off and go back on my target rimfire rifles with little zero change. They are usually within 1/2" at 50 yards.
 
i got it.... jus got a Kahles K4i...

i zeroed it at 100 meters,Sig 516 14.5", Ruag 5.56 62gr SS109, tightest group i got is 34mm on a rest..POI @ POA(shooting indoor). removed and attached it again... hitting 6cm low @ 5... same ammo & all...

i did this to try this Kahles circle dot reticle...
good enough for Govt. work...

Thanks guys...
 
Yes, and yes.

Depending on your definition of zero.

A red dot sight zeroed to hit a man size target at 50 yards will retain it's zero close enough for government work.

A precision varmint, target, or sniper rifle used for long range would need to be sighted in again each time the scope was removed and replaced.

I don't care what kind of mount clamps you use!

rc
this!
 
Yes, and yes.

Depending on your definition of zero.

A red dot sight zeroed to hit a man size target at 50 yards will retain it's zero close enough for government work.

A precision varmint, target, or sniper rifle used for long range would need to be sighted in again each time the scope was removed and replaced.

I don't care what kind of mount clamps you use!

rc
That depends. A Blaser rifle and their saddle mount will hold zero when you disassemble/ assemble the rifle and dismount/ mount the scope.

55C3E973-6234-4A46-B304-BAEE319C9C69_zpsrkngpxv4.jpg
 
If or when a scope is removed for what ever reason......... I make a trip to the range to "verify" all is ok.

Why leave things to chance reguard less of the rings and bases involved. That`s just me though.
 
IIRC, Leupold QD's are supposed to maintain sub 1" POI shift at 100 yards. They seem extremely well machined.

As with every debate here, many of the posts lump every option into either a "yes" or "no" with little or no regard to quality
 
The scope will not lose it's accuracy but upon removal & re-installation it may shift it's point of impact. As the others have stated, it will depend on the set-up as to how much that shift will be. Using a torque wrench for installation will minimize how much the shift will be
 
For "hunting", there are a few that I would trust and this is one of them,

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BUT, unless it's one of the KNOWN quick attach mounts, like the above or German claw mounts ect.., there's no way I would trust it to come back to zero.

DM
 
Even the best quick-detach scope mounts can only keep it within about 1 MOA after removal and reattaching. That's enough to easily correct it, but you definitely want to adjust it or at least know where it's shifted to before you try hunting with it.
 
I have seen guys take their scopes off and remount them using a torque wrench and just about every one had a POI change, not much but some. If you are precision shooting, I would recommend checking the zero after removing the scope. There are Quick Release mounts that claim to not have the problem and most work well, but I like to be on the safe side and check it. Hope this helps.
 
Our tests on vintage Weaver bases and rings for deer hunting rifles show that you can do it and not have to re-zero. Been proven many times with multiple rifles/calibers. Can't speak for other mounting systems or purposes. I still verify, but have not yet had to make any adjustments.

Edited to add: there is a pratical application for this. With most scopes you can hunt in the rain, but not in the fog. If fog rolls in while on your stand, you can detach the scope, use iron sights, then reattach and have confidence when the fog clears.
 
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if a 1/2 moa to 1 moa shift is acceptable then there are several QD mount solutions that will allow you to remove and reattach the scope without having to rezero
 
Even the best quick-detach scope mounts can only keep it within about 1 MOA after removal and reattaching.

I guess you have never had a set of German claw mounts, because they WILL easily hold better than inch groups when taken off and reinstalled!

All of the several I've owned went back to under 1/4" at 100 yds...

DM
 
As above- POI will shift, even if re torqued properly.
If shooting at live things, and remounted properly, no problem. If shredding paper, you will not be hitting the same spot after remounting. Variations in the torque settings on your wrench, order in which you tighten the action screws, torque on the mount screws will all affect where the scope is aiming.
 
taliv said:
if a 1/2 moa to 1 moa shift is acceptable then there are several QD mount solutions that will allow you to remove and reattach the scope without having to rezero

Exactly! I have mounts/scopes on a number of rifles that consistently return to within 1/2 moa. I use AI, LaRue and Nightforce rings/mounts with very good results. You can see an AI AW demonstrated in the video below where a scope is removed and reinstalled with virtually no change to the POI.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQsI2WiIRpE
 
Even the best quick-detach scope mounts can only keep it within about 1 MOA after removal and reattaching.

Not really. I guess you've never used a Blaser. With a Blaser, you can detach and reattach a scope until the cows come home with no loss of zero.

I also use Warne bases/QD rings on some rifles from 17 HMR up to 300 Winchester Magnum; there is no appreciable loss of zero with those either when a scope is detached and reattached. The only rifle I used Warne QD rings on in which there was a loss of zero was on a 378 Weatherby Magnum.

In addition, I use Talley QD rings on a 458 Lott; no loss of zero there either with detaching/reattaching a scope.

I supposed if you had a rifle that could consistently deliver 0.25 MOA groups you might see a difference but I don't have any of those and most of you probably don't either.
 
The "scope" wont lose its zero, however, the mounts its put into may or may not be set exactly correct for the scope to be "looking" at the same point
 
Does zeroed scope loose its accuracy when removed from the rifle & attach it again?

The scope won't be any less accurate than before. It probably won't be be perfectly zeroed after being remounted and may need some fine tuning. If care is used when initially mounting and when it is returned the difference should be small enough for most to not really notice.

I've used Weaver and Ruger rings in the past with great success as well as mounts designed as QD
 
Not sure what you're snipin or assaultin, but paper sure doesn't mind if you spend a round or maybe even two to verify & adjust.

Don't have much experience with quick detach mounts, so right or wrong, I always feel the need to verify.
 
As a general rule, I am scared to remove a scope from a rifle, but I guess it really depends on the mount.

I always take these old long scopes off my small bore prone rifles, pack them in a wooden carrying case for the trip home. I can say after almost a decade of small bore competition, I can't tell a zero change due to the re installation. This practice is conducted by all small bore prone competitors who use one rifle. The typical 3200 point match, one day is iron sights, and the next day is scope. The rifles and mounts are set up so you can take the irons off, and install a scope.


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