Peter M. Eick
Member
I replaced the Bushnell 4-12x40AO scope that came on my R1 with a Leupold VX3 6.5x20AO EFR. I was not getting the accuracy out of my R1 that others were and so I figured it must be me or my lack of skill with shooting a snappy springer like the R1. I put Leupolds on my centerfires so I figured I would put one on the R1 just for the convenience of having the same setup I am used to on the Bolts or Ruger #1.
I was shocked, absolutely shocked at the improvement!
My groups cut in 1/3 in just casual plinking to sight the scope in. I was shooting sub dime sized 10 shot groups at 75 ft from a sitting position which really impressed me when previously I was having issues keeping them all in the black at the same distance.
Now having thought about it, I wonder if the Bushnell was bad from the start. The mounts were tight. The scope seemed to adjust when I used the knobs and I adjusted the AO for the target the same way on both scopes. Basically by moving my eye around in the field of view and adjusting the AO dial to minimize movement of the cross hairs on target.
I will give the bushnell credit. It has a wide optical field of view and is easier to snap to the should and see through the scope. The Leupold requires some adjusting still to find the view but maybe that is just me and it is new.
I had a bit of trouble getting the Leupold where I wanted it. It is a long scope so I had to pull it back a hair so I could cock the gun without striking the bell. It is a hair higher than I would like but given the mounts were paid for I will live with it for a while. I am only going to pick up maybe an 1/8th of an inch closer to the tube if I buy other mounts.
So I basically put a scope on the gun that is about the same costs as the base gun. It definally made a difference in the groups. Going from having to work to keep them in the black on a 50 ft slow fire target to keeping them all in the 9s or better is worth the money. My first group in the black after adjusting the Leupold was one ragged hole which I did not see until I finally walked up and checked the target. I figured I had adjusted it too far but it turns out I put it at 4 o'clock in the 8's.
I figure I will put the Bushnell on the HW30 I have if I can find some rings. I think I have a spare set in the scrap box somewhere. This way i can test it with a known performer or I will cringe and put it on my Beeman 400 where I can nearly guarantee its performance.
So lesson learned, test your scopes and don't be afraid to swap one if you suspect you are having issues.
I was shocked, absolutely shocked at the improvement!
My groups cut in 1/3 in just casual plinking to sight the scope in. I was shooting sub dime sized 10 shot groups at 75 ft from a sitting position which really impressed me when previously I was having issues keeping them all in the black at the same distance.
Now having thought about it, I wonder if the Bushnell was bad from the start. The mounts were tight. The scope seemed to adjust when I used the knobs and I adjusted the AO for the target the same way on both scopes. Basically by moving my eye around in the field of view and adjusting the AO dial to minimize movement of the cross hairs on target.
I will give the bushnell credit. It has a wide optical field of view and is easier to snap to the should and see through the scope. The Leupold requires some adjusting still to find the view but maybe that is just me and it is new.
I had a bit of trouble getting the Leupold where I wanted it. It is a long scope so I had to pull it back a hair so I could cock the gun without striking the bell. It is a hair higher than I would like but given the mounts were paid for I will live with it for a while. I am only going to pick up maybe an 1/8th of an inch closer to the tube if I buy other mounts.
So I basically put a scope on the gun that is about the same costs as the base gun. It definally made a difference in the groups. Going from having to work to keep them in the black on a 50 ft slow fire target to keeping them all in the 9s or better is worth the money. My first group in the black after adjusting the Leupold was one ragged hole which I did not see until I finally walked up and checked the target. I figured I had adjusted it too far but it turns out I put it at 4 o'clock in the 8's.
I figure I will put the Bushnell on the HW30 I have if I can find some rings. I think I have a spare set in the scrap box somewhere. This way i can test it with a known performer or I will cringe and put it on my Beeman 400 where I can nearly guarantee its performance.
So lesson learned, test your scopes and don't be afraid to swap one if you suspect you are having issues.
