Gun Shoots Low

[Express]

I have a Leupold VX1 4x12 mounted on a Weatherby Vanguard2 in .223 with a 1 piece Leopold base and Leupold rings. I have the elevation up all the way and the rifle shoots low. Do I need a higher front ring, or are there ways to shim the front ring. I took the mount and scope off of the gun and everything appears to be correct. I have had many rifles before, but I never ran into this problem.

Thanks in Advance.

 

[JamesnTN]

How low are you talking and at what distance?

 

[Area Man]

I've heard of cutting a shim out of the side of a beer can to place under the scope on the front ring.

 

[M-61]

Unless I am misreading your post: To raise the point of impact the REAR ring is what has to moved up....not the front. A higher front ring or shimming the front ring LOWERS the point of impact.
Front ring being the one closest to the muzzle.
e.g. 20 MOA mount elevates the REAR of the scope, raising the point of impact.
I am only referring to the ring or mount....not what may be a problem with the scope.

 

[walley2960]

I've heard of cutting a shim out of the side of a beer can to place under the scope on the front ring.

Wouldn't that make the point of impact lower?
Is this an all new system?
I have never had this problem either.

 

[Area Man]

Wouldn't that make the point of impact lower?

You're right. I didn't think about it, just went from the OP's original question about a higher front ring. Raise the rear ring to raise POI.

 

[bdale]

Sounds like he may have some 10 or 20 MOA rings or base installed incorrectly :

 

[CatShooter]

Get a pair of Leupold or Warne cross slot bases and a pair of Burris Signature ZEE rings - your problems are done.

 

[BoydAllen]

+1

 

[gaboon]

Don't shim the rings only shim the base.

 

[vtmarmot]

You have a fine rifle and a fine scope and, IMHO, a mediocre base and rings. It may not even be the correct base for the rifle, hence your problems. The one-piece Leupold base only has 3 screws, which is strike one. The turn-in front ring and windage-adjustable rear can do a number on scopes if not installed precisely. At best you risk torquing the scope which will cause adjustment problems.

I would get on www.opticsplanet.com and get a EGW Picatinny rail. Get the zero MOA version unless you plan on shooting at very long range. Then get some Burris Signature Zee rings of the correct height for your scope bell. If you do want to shoot long range, you can use the 10 MOA or 20 MOA Pos-Align inserts for the rings. I use this combo on several rifles with great satisfaction.

 

[LastRd]

I think it is possible to put a Mk 5 base on this gun instead of the proper base which is also for a Rem 700.(unless things have changed)

 

[Lapua40X]

Nobody's asked if your turning the turret adjustments in the right direction; but I will. You wouldn't be the first to make that error and a lot of the guys who contribute to this forum know that. I've done it under pressure without even realizing it.
Before you start buying replacement parts, disassemble the setup and make sure you've got all the parts installed correctly. I have a very similar setup on my Remington XR100 .223 and have never had a problem with it.
If you stick with the one piece scope mount (which I'd recommend) take a look at this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoW5bHQqgis
Bedding the one piece scope mount on your rifle can help eliminate sight alignment problems.
If you've used up all of the elevation adjustment on your scope and you're not shooting long range I suspect the issue is much larger than scope rings.

 

[Ringostar]

There could also be an internal problem with the scope. Check how it tracks. How old is your VX1 ?

 

[Express]

The scope and rifle are brand new. I purchased it as an unfired combo set. I am sure I am adjusting the correct way because I had to use max elevation to get the point of impact on paper.

I disassembled everything twice. I am not an expert, but I do not see how it can be assembled incorrectly.

I think I am going to either shim the rear or buy a different mounting system.

Thanks in Advance

 

[M-61]

How low are you talking and at what distance?

Two questions asked that I do not see the answers. Before anything is purchased or changed it would be nice to know if this is at 50yards or 500 yards.

 

[Ringostar]

Yes what distance, and with what ammo? Did you buy a box of sub sonic ammo by mistake? There could be a machining problem with your rings. Can you check if they're level? Does the scope run slightly up hill?

 

[Hondo]

When shimming scope rings or bases we are changing the vertical alignment of the scope rings.
Causing the rings to grip the scope tube at the edges of the rings .
Could that be a cause ring marks on scope tubes.
On properly aligned aluminum rings I think you will strip the ring screw threads before you would mark the scope.
Hondo

 

[LastRd]

My BIL bought a vanguard, 257W, store installed the scope.
We went to shoot it, then bore sight, ran out of elevation adj.
I remembered reading that vanguards took Rem.700 bases, checked the base, was Mk5 base.We went and got a R700 base, installed, and it zeroed properly.

 

[Hotshot]

Burris Signature rings can fix your problem.