One Scope for Two Rifles?

[rckendall]

I am new to the use of scopes and I witnessed something a couple months ago that makes me ask, can one scope be used effectively on two different rifles? I assume that each rifle would have different zeros, but would they be the same or close each time they were changed?

A couple months ago at a casual day at the range, we were shooting from the 800 yard line, taking turns spotting while others shot. One fellow showed up and shot with one rifle, then changed the scope to a different rifle and shot it. The rifles were similar, as I remember, and he got on target pretty easily. He commented initially that he had never mounted a scope before, and then after shooting the second rifle, his comment was something like he will do that all the time now.

So everyone, is this a rare case and something that isn't recommended, or is it commonly done? I wouldn't consider it on my primary rifles, but for those that only get infrequent use, it might be a consideration.

Thanks for all comments.
Richard

 

[skiutah02]

I move my competition scope from rifle to rifle all the time because I can't afford a bunch of them. With practice and good notes it can be done. I did it in the middle of Fclass Nationals 2015. Even with practiced repetition, it's still stressful when the stakes are high, but doable.

Drew

 

[Rob01]

I know people who do it and it's nothing damaging to the scope or rifle but just a little bit of a pain having to rezero the rifle. That said like the guy you saw the 100 yard zeros shouldn't be too far off if the rifles don't have any major issues like misdrilled scope base holes or barrel issues.

 

[rkittine]

I now move two scopes to one rifle! One with standard rings and zeroed for 100 yards and one with 25 MOA rings and zeroed for 1,000. I guess moving from one gun to another would be best if the bases were the same distance apart.

Bob

 

[chkunz]

I use the Bobro mount on one scope and the ARMS Lever mount on another scope and I mount them on match rifles that have a picatinny rail and I take them off the rife for transportation and cleaning. I put them on the rifle during the prep period and take them off when I finish firing the stage. The first shot with the Bobro is on zero. The first shot with the ARMS Lever mount is not on zero but the second one is.

 

[Jay Christopherson]

I am new to the use of scopes and I witnessed something a couple months ago that makes me ask, can one scope be used effectively on two different rifles? I assume that each rifle would have different zeros, but would they be the same or close each time they were changed?

A couple months ago at a casual day at the range, we were shooting from the 800 yard line, taking turns spotting while others shot. One fellow showed up and shot with one rifle, then changed the scope to a different rifle and shot it. The rifles were similar, as I remember, and he got on target pretty easily. He commented initially that he had never mounted a scope before, and then after shooting the second rifle, his comment was something like he will do that all the time now.

So everyone, is this a rare case and something that isn't recommended, or is it commonly done? I wouldn't consider it on my primary rifles, but for those that only get infrequent use, it might be a consideration.

Thanks for all comments.
Richard

I did it for years. I swapped it between 3 rifles and even swapped in the middle of a match once, like Drew. I always found it easiest to zero the turrets at the bottom and count up (like a micrometer I guess), but whatever you can keep track of for zero for each rifle works.

I kept track of my zeros in a Google spreadsheet and kept an offline copy on my phone for easy reference.

 

[mr45man]

I kept track of my zeros in a Google spreadsheet and kept an offline copy on my phone for easy reference.

Why didn't i think of that? My note book tends to end up in the wrong range bag or vehicle.

 

[Dgd6mm]

My dope is on masking tape on the stocks. It is a little ugly but it doesn't bother me.

 

[Barlow]

An old friend of mine had a bunch of rifles and one Balvar 2x8 scope (iirc). He had Stith Mounts all his rifles. With the Stith mount you sighted in the mounts, not the scope. His scope had no external adjustments, and the part of the mount that fastened to the scope tube had bayonet or plungers that slid into the bases. He loved them and used them til the day he died. Barlow

 

[rckendall]

I love it! Lots of ways of skinning a cat, as they say. I've seen guys with their dope sheet taped to the stock, and I like that concept.

So, I guess I'll plan on one scope for my rifles that done get used that often and keep good records.

Thanks for all the replies, I've enjoyed the stories!
Richard

 

[hogan]

Several years ago i was moving a scope from a bolt rifle setup with eupold QR rings to an AR-10, or maybe the other way around at first? I checked the new installation with the best gun tool I ever bought: Bushnell 74-3333 boresighting collimator. The scope was 40 moa on left or right of the centerline. That Got My Attention!... I moved the scope back to the AR and dialed the reticle to the vertical center line, then put the scope back in the QR one piece base. It was STILL more than 30moa off center.

I was using the QR system intending to swap scopes between the SA & LA rifles, but had only zeroed a few with ammunition. I checked scopes on my two flat top AR-10s. When set for centerline they swapped over on centerline. Checking ALL the QR mounted scopes I found they were all significantly off centerline, AND they moved right or left depending on the rifle....

I then installed weaver bases on the boltguns. Every scope that was centerline on the AR-10s was centerline on the Win 70s.

A year or two before this, I had noticed that the 3,LaRue QD scope risers I owned and used on AR-10 & 15s were consistently 20moa off centerline on the right (iirc). I would CAUTION anyone using a QD lever sort of integral base, other than maybe the Sako QR system for the TRG-22/42. Unless you conduct similar testing and PROVE your mount is concentric with bore, you will have many issues at ranges beyond what you sight-in for.

Consider it... You are 30moa off at the muzzle, every 100 yds the error from scope being off center grows by a factor. If you sight in at 300yds, probably won't see the error. I once owned a Big Name 20moa Picatinny rail cost about $175 and comparing it with NightForce, Near Mfg, Warne one-piece Pic Rails, I found when I measured the cross slots on each that the Big Name rail had slots that were milled on a .05 slant. And I always thought that accuracy was poor with that rifle because of the cheap Rem sendero barrel...

The most useful tool I have ever owned for rifle shooting. The boresighter with collimation grid. it will enable you to test turrets and record zeroes and diagnose many problems

I still swap scopes, but only use Weaver Steel bases and a proven Leupold Mk4 pic rail, and no longer use any QD riser or one piece mount system on any of my Armalite pattern rifles.