Could this be a scope issue?
- Thread starter BULLET 05
- Start date
here is a good article on setting up your scope .
http://www.longrangehunting.com/articles/reticle-perpendicularity.php
http://www.longrangehunting.com/articles/reticle-perpendicularity.php
"Could this be a scope issue?"
Yes, it is 99% likely to be a scope issue.
Yes, it is 99% likely to be a scope issue.
Without changing anything else, try a different scope.
Nikon Monarch 6 x 24 x 50
More then likely the bore isn't true to the action. Larry
hogpatrol
Gold $$ Contributor
Rifle/action make and model, factory or custom barrel, scope mounts, bases, make and model, caliber, factory ammo or reloads, bullets, etc. Please provide as much information as possible. It's tough trying to diagnose a problem without all pertinent info.
22 hornet Savage model 25T factory heavy barrel. Burris fullfield II 6x20x50 .Steel scope mounts forgot the brand. I reloaded the ammo, 35 grain v-max. 13.0 gr lil' gun.
******Earlier I made a post that it was a Nikon Monarch scope. I had a brain fart, wrong gun. My Hornet does have a 6x20x50 Burris scope.
Agree...I would start here.
hogpatrol
Gold $$ Contributor
+1 on the scope being level and scope base holes out of alignment.
Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
Happens all the time. Get yourself the Wheeler Professional Scope Leveling Kit and make sure your scope is leveled with the action by following the instructions. Once complete, place a good factory grid target down range at 25 or 50 yards and level the grids perfectly when you hang it. Then level your rifle using the level on your scope turrets and make sure your reticle lines up perfectly vertical and horizontal with the leveled grids on the target. If the scope is leveled with the action but the reticle is not leveled, your scope may have a crooked reticle. If reticle lines up, verify tracking by adjusting elevation to see if it deviates from the grid lines. Easier to note small deviations when scope is on high magnification levels. Rifle must be very stable. Usually a cleaning gun vise works best to test this
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wind flags??
in a Hornet case and 35 gr bullet wind so light you cant feel it would move it that much,,
in a Hornet case and 35 gr bullet wind so light you cant feel it would move it that much,,
I'd move back to about 65 yards to eliminate a lot of Mother Nature. Put a tall piece of cardboard on a target stand. Use a tall level draw a tall perfectly straight vertical line from top to bottom and a perfectly level horizontal line near the bottom of the target to give you an aiming point.
You can start with your 100 yard zero but aim on the point where the lines cross, shoot a round. Crank up the elevation a few minutes and still aiming at the same point shoot again, keep doing this coming up the same amount each time till you run out of paper.
Now come back down the same amount and shoot at each setting. This gives you two shots to make sure you didn't get a bad shot off. Keep doing this till you get back down to your original first shot.
Now take that tall level or straight edge and lay it against your row of shots. They should track perfectly up the vertical line you drew. If the holes are angling off to one side or the other then your scope is in the rings crooked.
Prob a lot better way to explain how to do this but it's one sure way to check its tracking straight up as you increase your elevation setting. If you shots are not in a perfectly straight line even if angling off to a side then it's an indication something else may be happening.
Topstrap
You can start with your 100 yard zero but aim on the point where the lines cross, shoot a round. Crank up the elevation a few minutes and still aiming at the same point shoot again, keep doing this coming up the same amount each time till you run out of paper.
Now come back down the same amount and shoot at each setting. This gives you two shots to make sure you didn't get a bad shot off. Keep doing this till you get back down to your original first shot.
Now take that tall level or straight edge and lay it against your row of shots. They should track perfectly up the vertical line you drew. If the holes are angling off to one side or the other then your scope is in the rings crooked.
Prob a lot better way to explain how to do this but it's one sure way to check its tracking straight up as you increase your elevation setting. If you shots are not in a perfectly straight line even if angling off to a side then it's an indication something else may be happening.
Topstrap
As Topstrap said, do a tall target test.
Indoors is best. 25-50m (27-54yds).
Hang a string line with a plumb bob.
Draw a thick line down an A3 sheet of paper mounted lengthways.
Align that line (on the paper) to vertical using the plumb bob.
Remove the string/plumb bob.
Draw a horizontal line near the bottom of the paper (use a spirit level).
Set your sights to zero (100yds zero or so).
Shoot 3 shots at the intersection of the lines at the bottom of the target (check the reticle is level with the lines).
Come up to 200yd zero.
Shoot 3 shots at the intersection of the lines at the bottom of the target (check the reticle is level with the lines).
Come up to 300yd zero
Shoot 3 shots at the intersection of the lines at the bottom of the target (check the reticle is level with the lines).
Rinse, repeat until you get to the end of your scope travel.
The groups should bunch around the centre of the vertical line at different heights. If they don't voila. Scope issue.
Mark each of those fired shots on paper.
Repeat the other way (wind the scope back to your zero and fire groups).
Indoors is best. 25-50m (27-54yds).
Hang a string line with a plumb bob.
Draw a thick line down an A3 sheet of paper mounted lengthways.
Align that line (on the paper) to vertical using the plumb bob.
Remove the string/plumb bob.
Draw a horizontal line near the bottom of the paper (use a spirit level).
Set your sights to zero (100yds zero or so).
Shoot 3 shots at the intersection of the lines at the bottom of the target (check the reticle is level with the lines).
Come up to 200yd zero.
Shoot 3 shots at the intersection of the lines at the bottom of the target (check the reticle is level with the lines).
Come up to 300yd zero
Shoot 3 shots at the intersection of the lines at the bottom of the target (check the reticle is level with the lines).
Rinse, repeat until you get to the end of your scope travel.
The groups should bunch around the centre of the vertical line at different heights. If they don't voila. Scope issue.
Mark each of those fired shots on paper.
Repeat the other way (wind the scope back to your zero and fire groups).
Great article! Will help when I get my new scope!
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