As I have posted in other threads, I am not a scope guy and just know the fundamentals. I took my hunting rifle that has my only scope, a Burris Signature HD to shoot some different loads I developed. I initially started shooting it with current settings and made adjustments based on the results of the load. I guess at some point I hit the scope and it went out of elevation by 7 moa. So i reset the zero to finish shooting the remaining loads. So my question is - should I loosen the rings and brackets and reset and retorque the scope? I do not recall knocking the scope hard enough to misalign it and when shooting, the scope held POA/POI, so i don't think recoil did it. Thanks!
Resetting a Scope
- Thread starter Chief TC
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Hugger-4641
Member
I have had this happen. Personally, I would remove the scope, mechanically zero it, remount it and re-zero and see if the new zero is same as before.
I had a Veracity that got bumped really hard and was shooting over a foot high. I mechanically bottomed out the turret and it was still shooting 4" high. Sent it to Burris and they sent it back saying nothing was found to be wrong. I removed base and rings and remounted everything and nothing was wrong. It zeroed properly just like new. My only explanation is something in the mounts got tweeked and then relieved when I removed everything.
I had a Veracity that got bumped really hard and was shooting over a foot high. I mechanically bottomed out the turret and it was still shooting 4" high. Sent it to Burris and they sent it back saying nothing was found to be wrong. I removed base and rings and remounted everything and nothing was wrong. It zeroed properly just like new. My only explanation is something in the mounts got tweeked and then relieved when I removed everything.
MarshallDodge
Member
If bumping your scope caused it to move 7 MOA, then I would definitely double check the rings and mounting, and maybe even replace them.
lightman
Member
I agree, it wouldn't hurt to break it all down, degrease the threads and reassemble it using Blue LockTite on the bases. Its generally said to not use LockTite on the rings.
Then I would gently run the scopes adjustments from stop to stop a few times and then stop when its centered.
Then I would gently run the scopes adjustments from stop to stop a few times and then stop when its centered.
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
I am more concerned that the scope is broken internally. You don't recall doing anything to hit it hard enough to cause a 7 moa shift and yet it had a 7 moa shift during shooting at the range. Since it held POA/POI, you think it wasn't from recoil, but did it hold POA/POI if it was all of a sudden off by 7 MOA?
Something to keep in mind is that not all scope problems will be 100% consistent (just like car problems). It may work for a while and then glitch and maybe it glitches 7 MOA.
Has the problem replicated?
Also, the 7 moa change was under the same magnification, or had you zoomed the scope (in or out)? Buddy had a NightForce scope that gave him fits chasing zeroes. NF had it a couple of times and said it was fine. Come to find out, it was fine so long as you didn't turn the zoom knob more than about 3/4 revolution. Anywhere below that point and he was fine. Above that point, and he would lose zero. If he zeroed above that point, he would lose it zooming out again or zooming further. He could zero on base mag, ramp it up and lose zero for the next shots, but return to the base mag and zero would return. Finding the pattern to replicate the problem in order to get it serviced was a pain.
Doing the whole breakdown and rebuild thing is a good idea and will help build confidence for you to know that all looks good and the problem doesn't return. If it returns and you know everything is done right on the mounting, then it may be broken. That is what I would think would be proper due diligence before considering repair or replacement. Sadly, due diligence can take time and money.
Something to keep in mind is that not all scope problems will be 100% consistent (just like car problems). It may work for a while and then glitch and maybe it glitches 7 MOA.
Has the problem replicated?
Also, the 7 moa change was under the same magnification, or had you zoomed the scope (in or out)? Buddy had a NightForce scope that gave him fits chasing zeroes. NF had it a couple of times and said it was fine. Come to find out, it was fine so long as you didn't turn the zoom knob more than about 3/4 revolution. Anywhere below that point and he was fine. Above that point, and he would lose zero. If he zeroed above that point, he would lose it zooming out again or zooming further. He could zero on base mag, ramp it up and lose zero for the next shots, but return to the base mag and zero would return. Finding the pattern to replicate the problem in order to get it serviced was a pain.
Doing the whole breakdown and rebuild thing is a good idea and will help build confidence for you to know that all looks good and the problem doesn't return. If it returns and you know everything is done right on the mounting, then it may be broken. That is what I would think would be proper due diligence before considering repair or replacement. Sadly, due diligence can take time and money.
I don't think it is broken because I shot several more rounds after I rezero'd from the strange deviation. And i don't think it is recoil because the rounds stayed on target. However, I will be monitoring more closely and will reset everything. Thanks everyone.
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
AGAIN, not all scope problems are consistent. Your scope that went 7 MOA out of whack for no apparent reason that you can otherwise identify and you were the one using it.
JFrank
Member
Scope mount torque settings
There always seems a question or two on how much torque to put on small screws for scope mounts and rings. It all depends on the thickness of the screw. I use calipers to double check prior to setting my Wheeler wrench. Hope this helps
www.thehighroad.org
Ring to base I hope! That would squoosh a fair number of scopes.
For the rings, I actually emailed Burris and that was their instruction. They have these plastic inserts that go inside the metal rings, so I think that is why the pressure in a little higher
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