My scope won’t zero ! Help !

[Rsadams]

If you bought it at a local Cabela's , and you think something is wrong with the scope , take it back , they will just swap it out..

 

[Riesel]

Recently finished a re-barrel on a Remington 700 long action that I purchased used. Tried two different scopes and just didn't have enough windage. Took everything apart and put scope base screw in rear hole and looped finishing line over it. Pulled it tight and laid it over the remaining three empty holes dead center.
The tight fishing line was almost a half inch right of the bore at the muzzle end. I wondered how in the world the previous owner ever sighted in that rifle or maybe he didn't and that was why it was on the used gun rack at a bargain price. Scope base holes drilled way off center. Used Leupold bases as shown in Post 14, lapped the rings and used coarse windage adjusment to center scope. Before reattaching scope I re-centered the cross hairs so I would have as much adjustment as the Vortex scope had to offer. Torqued rings to Vortex recommendations. Moral to this story, check pre-drilled scope base holes for alignment.

 

[dickn52]

I recently had a very hard time getting a scope to to zero. I did everything I could think of. Then I took the rings off the rail and found that I had missed the slot and the back ring was sitting on the top of the rail while the front ring was set correctly. Once I took the back ring off and reset it to a slot, and then to the scope all was well. Every time I need a refresher in humility I look at that rail and the new 'screw' threads I cut into it while mounting my ring. Just saying sometimes it's the simple stuff that works best. Go back to your basics and start over.

 

[Ggmac]

I recently purchased a Savage 10T rifle in .223. I added a Vortex 6-24x50 Viper scope mounted to the factory installed picatinny rail using Vortex 30mm rings. I loaded 50 rounds using new Lapua brass, Winchester primers, 26 gr of Varget, and 55 gr Nosler bullets.

Today I took it to the range for the first time to shoot in the barrel and to zero the scope. I was able to zero the elevation although I had to use most of the adjustment. I NEVER was able to get the windage adjustment to zero. Although all the rounds rounds settled in to a 1” MOA group they were 14” to the left of the bull.

I removed the scope from the rail and reseated it torquing the screws to 20 inch pounds but no change in the poi. I did not remove the rail and remount or double check the mounting screws but I don’t believe the rail mounting could be the problem since the rounds fell into a good grouping.

I am thinking it must be a scope mounting issue, but can’t figure out how to correct the problem. I’d welcome any thoughts or suggestions to correct the problem.

Thanks in advance.

I admit to not reading the entire post , BUT I've seen more than a few savages that had the barrel pointing incorrectly, either due to the receiver not square or a recoil lug not flat

 

[6MMsteve]

I recently had a very hard time getting a scope to to zero. I did everything I could think of. Then I took the rings off the rail and found that I had missed the slot and the back ring was sitting on the top of the rail while the front ring was set correctly. Once I took the back ring off and reset it to a slot, and then to the scope all was well. Every time I need a refresher in humility I look at that rail and the new 'screw' threads I cut into it while mounting my ring. Just saying sometimes it's the simple stuff that works best. Go back to your basics and start over.

lol I done that before

 

[divingin]

Is it a 0 degree rail, or a canted (usually 20 MOA) rail? If the latter, try turning it around, as it may have been mounted backwards. Try swapping the rings (front to back and vice versa.)

I'd do those things before buying replacement parts or shipping the rifle off.

 

[Bart B.]

One guy took his scoped rifle back to the store claiming the optics were bad.

The clerk explained the scope was installed backwards; eyepiece at the front.

 

[amboy49]

Removed everything, including the rail, and started over. Did find one loose screw in the rail. Remounted the rings and scope taking particular care with making sure the rings were pushed forward and seated. I put a level on the rifle and then leveled the scope to the gun.

I don’t have a gun vise so I improvised with a box. I began the bore sighting process by acquiring a target at roughly 30 yards. I set the elevation and windage knobs at the approximate midpoint in the adjustment range. When I looked through the scope I was pleasantly surprised to see the crosshairs within the first ring outside of the bullseye. This time when I adjusted the windage/elevation knobs the crosshairs moved appropriately ( or at least it certainly appeard to do so ).

I am speculating I didn’t have the rings down in the rail correctly on my first attempt to mount the scope. Tomorrow I am taking the gun to the range again to see how everything will be working.

Keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks all for the comments/suggestions. Much good advice from obviously experienced and talented shooters.

I attached a couple of pics for review.

 

[Riesel]

Recently finished a re-barrel on a Remington 700 long action that I purchased used. Tried two different scopes and just didn't have enough windage. Took everything apart and put scope base screw in rear hole and looped finishing line over it. Pulled it tight and laid it over the remaining three empty holes dead center.
The tight fishing line was almost a half inch right of the bore at the muzzle end. I wondered how in the world the previous owner ever sighted in that rifle or maybe he didn't and that was why it was on the used gun rack at a bargain price. Scope base holes drilled way off center. Used Leupold bases as shown in Post 14, lapped the rings and used coarse windage adjusment to center scope. Before reattaching scope I re-centered the cross hairs so I would have as much adjustment as the Vortex scope had to offer. Torqued rings to Vortex recommendations. Moral to this story, check pre-drilled scope base holes for alignment.

Jerry, I read your post and now you got me wondering if I put the barrel on crooked. I don't think I much care as this 6.5-284 is shooting one inch, five shot groups at 350 yards.

 

[muleman69]

Cap,

I did try to bore sight before I went to the range. I saw the crosshairs high and left - just where the rifle shot . ()

Should have known I was going to have a problem. Just have never experienced this issue so extreme when mounting a scope. BUT, have not used a picatinny rail before so I didn’t know what to expect. I will try the suggestions above and see if I can figure this out !

Thanks to all for comments and suggestions.

I have the same scope and had to go with leupold adjustable bases as I ran out of left to right

 

[dickn52]

IF it's Vortex, call them and explain. Best warranty in the business.