Running outta windage adjustment

[1holeaddict]

I am currently having an issue with a Savage BVSS in 223. I installed a EGW omoa base and Burris Signature Zee rings. I could not get her on paper . Shooting way left. I then installed the + & - 10 inserts in the front. Still way off. So i installed the + & - also in the back. This got me zeroed with 69SMK's and there is only 33 clicks left of right windage. With my 55 grain ballistic tip load i again run out of clicks. The scope is a Leupold var X III with the varmint hunters reticle 30mm tube. I took the rings off and turned them around 180 degrees per the Burris tech. I have a total of 20moa in the inserts and the complete windage adjustment used up. Im wondering if something could be wrong with my scope?
???

 

[tazzman]

1holeaddict,

1- Checking the scope. Center the elevation and windage adjustments on your scope(Max travel /2 for both windage and elevation. DO NOT force travel stop). Then using a 1" grid target, check your scope adjustment by doing a box test, aka windage right 6", elevation down 6", windage left 12", elevation up 12", windage right 6", elevation down 6". Are you at your starting point? Yes? Scope tracks properly.
After having checked your scope's tracking, your scope's reticule should still be centered.
2- Mount on rifle with zero adjustments(windage and elevation) on your ring inserts. Align the bore with the target. Where does the scope point? If nowhere near the target windage 0, then align the windage by using the offset inserts. Then you can start zeroing the rifle.

Hope this helps,

Phil aka tazzman

 

[Clod-NC]

Hi addict
From what I read it reminds me of a similar problem I had a while back with receiver holes(the back ones)misaligned;did you check these prior to compensating with the Burris inserts?Maybe it's just that,your base is misaligned which makes for the heavy compensation you must make...I can't buy a scope that would be so out of function...Hope it helps and you can solve that thing.

 

[jhord]

New Savage, or have you had a different scope setup mounted to it in the past?

 

[fr3db3ar]

I'm also of the opinion that it sounds like a rail alignment issue.

 

[1holeaddict]

New Savage, or have you had a different scope setup mounted to it in the past?

Good question. I had a nikon 4 x16 on it with a 1" tube and weaver 2 piece bases. I purchased the gun used like new with the scope mounted. I sighted it in with the smk' s and the ballistic tips shot way left and i didnt adjust to see how many clicks were left. After the first range trip i then changed to the egw base , burris rings, and leupold scope. I did check the scope i removed and it also was almost out of windage. Could these holes be off so much that 20 moa in inserts and full windage value out of a 30 mm scope not b enough?

 

[jonbearman]

Yes,put a straight edge across the scope mount screws and eyeball to see if it goes off in one direction or another. You will be able to see it rather easy as it will be off quite a bit.You can put the straight edge along the the two weaver bases and you should see no gap if it is held tight first to the rear block and then tight to the front to see which one is off.If the gun is new,send it baxck right away and if it is used get a conpetent gunsmith to drill new holes through your egw rail and redrill the holes in the reciever to correct the situation. Look up preacher and he can repair it.

 

[CJ6]

Is the Barrel Straight ? Can you rotate the barrel a touch (WITHOUT running into headspace issues) to see if the POI changes ?

 

[1holeaddict]

Yes,put a straight edge across the scope mount screws and eyeball to see if it goes off in one direction or another. You will be able to see it rather easy as it will be off quite a bit.You can put the straight edge along the the two weaver bases and you should see no gap if it is held tight first to the rear block and then tight to the front to see which one is off.If the gun is new,send it baxck right away and if it is used get a conpetent gunsmith to drill new holes through your egw rail and redrill the holes in the reciever to correct the situation. Look up preacher and he can repair it.

Great idea with the two piece bases. I spoke with savage and they said to send it back and they will change out the receiver if need b. The catch is i bought it used but as new and i now know why. The sad part of the entire story is i have found two one hole loads for this 223 in just two outings while dealing with the scope issue

 

[matthias]

millet has a set of rings that you can adjust easily with an allen wrench. it is only masking the issue but it may get you up and running.

 

[1holeaddict]

Well i stripped the rig and set the naked gun up in a vise. I then set up a lazer line level up and centered it on the bore and action. Hmm Hmm Hmm??? I have been awarded with one of Savages perfectly MISALIGNED set of scope base holes. I spoke with Savage today and got the run around cuz i bought the gun used. My point to them is a defect from the factory should be made right no matter what the circumstances are. This is not something myself nor the first owner of this firearm did to this gun. It is a manufacturing error that should be repaired on their dime.

 

[Clod-NC]

Hi again Addict
I'm sorry for you mate,really reminds me of that friend's rifle I had the same issue with...Now,don't despair or over charge your mind with it,just check which base holes are misaligned(quite easy to see with a steel ruler),and since those Savage receiver rings are so wide and thick,take your rig to a serious smith to drill new holes for the same Weaver base except they'll be further front or further rearward according to where the wrong ones are placed on the ring...Simple,even if worrysome and unnerving...Hope you will get through all right.Make sure you block the unused misaligned holes with those headless screws epoxied nice and clean(careful not to let epoxy into the receiver channel).

 

[fdshuster]

I'm also having windage problems with my 2000 (pre Accutrigger, that I bought new ) Savage 10FP.

Every scope that I mount on this rifle quickly runs out of windage adjustment to the right when attempting to sight-in. So far the Burris Signature Zee rings with the off-sets are fixing the Savage created problem.

I've had 3 different sets of base mounts on this rifle & the windage problem exists with all of the base mounts.

So, seems they have had this problem since at least the year 2000 & have yet to correct it.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Ran into the same problem on an early "J" action. Good reason to use a 2 piece base with the rear windage adjustment. 8)

 

[Forum Boss]

After confirming that there is nothing wrong with the scope that you have mounted, I would consider sending the barreled action back to Savage. We've seen similar issues before and the cause was not the placement of the holes for the scope bases, but rather the action itself -- tenon threads cut oversize and off axis. This allowed barrel to be off-axis. when bbl nut secured We saw one Savage where owner used all the vertical in a Nightforce to get on paper at 100 yards.

 

[jhord]

Some may remember the .223 VLP I had that shot 3' low at 100 yards. That was mostly cured with a new barrel installed by Savage under warranty. But after I installed a precision ground recoil lug, then it was dead-on. I had another one that was a little off, and improved it with a new lug. I'm not sure if it was the new lug, or just me messing with the barrel and I lucked out... but it's food for thought. An interesting experiment would be to mount up a properly centered scope, (in regards to adjustments) then loosen the barrel and attempt to boresight it to where the scope is pointing.

 

[BoydAllen]

I have a Savage action, an old 110, that I put a new 22-250 barrel on, and although I was able to sight it in with an old Lyman 4X, that has an non centered reticle, when I switched to a more modern variable, I had to go to Burris Signature rings to get it sighted in. Starting with a full set of the various inserts, and the scope's adjustments centered, I found that to mount the centered scope so that it was centered from side to side on the target, that I had to use the .020 offset inserts, front and back, with one pair turned opposite the other. With that setup the scope was right on for windage, with the scope adjustments still centered. I should add that when we switched barrels the fit of the threads was normal. The rifle shoots just fine.

 

[1holeaddict]

After confirming that there is nothing wrong with the scope that you have mounted, I would consider sending the barreled action back to Savage. We've seen similar issues before and the cause was not the placement of the holes for the scope bases, but rather the action itself -- tenon threads cut oversize and off axis. This allowed barrel to be off-axis. when bbl nut secured We saw one Savage where owner used all the vertical in a Nightforce to get on paper at 100 yards.

You just might be on to something here. Sunday i shot my fire formed brass that was loaded for the second time. With a loaded round in the chamber i could not eject the live round. It is scuffing up the pill and takes alot of force to pull the bolt back. I tried new unfired loads and they eject live rounds just fine. I'm pretty sure i have two issues here fighting me. I spoke to Savage today and they r sending me a label out to bring in this firearm. The gun was used as new but is from 2008. I am so far pleased with their cooperation but just hope they stand behind their manufacturing error.

 

[teele1]

I had a similar issue with a Savage VLP I bought second hand. I ran out of right windage shooting at 300 yards. I had the receiver holes checked in a lathe and they checked true. I tried to bed the base to correct some of the uneven buffing of the stainless receiver and that made some difference. I then Devconed a 0.010 shim to the right rear and left front of the picatinney rail where the scope rings attach and that put me about dead center of the windage at 300 yards. Not saying that either the base wasn't true or that the holes were off center. Just me experience. Hope it may help

 

[DennisH]

I have the same problem with windage on a Remmy short action. I understand Remmy is notorious about drilling the holes off center.

I made a shim and inserted it between the rail and scope ring lock nut. Works perfect, but bugs the heck out of me.