Mounted a Leupold mark 5 before my hunting trip. Was able to shoot 15-20 rounds before the trip. Zeroing it at 100 and taking it out to 600 yards to verify velocities etc. everything was great. Hunted two weeks in Colorado and missed a mule deer at 500 yards 3 shots. Come back to Texas to check things out and my zero shifted 2 1/4”-2 1/2” low at 100 yards. Checked screws on the ARC rings, kelbly scope base, and screws on the Xlr chassis. Everything was good. Running a dead air nomad 30 with area 419 muzzle adapter with splendid results. Does this sound like a scope issue to you guys?
Scope zero after hunting trip
- Thread starter Aggie14
- Start date
Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
Yep
Was the muzzle adapter on the barrel when you zero'd it? was anything else added to barrel via adapter after zeroing before hunting? What was the elevation difference between where you zero'd and where you hunted? And what was temp difference? Did you drive to hunting location or fly? Bumpy roads?
Did you take a one or two shot zero check once at hunting location?
Frank
Did you take a one or two shot zero check once at hunting location?
Frank
The gun was exactly the same no changes. I know the zero would be different at the higher elevation and lower temp but my concern was the zero shift from sighting it here in Texas. When I got back to Texas that was where it was over 2” low.
We drove and the rifle was in a case unless I was carrying it. I wouldn’t think a $3000 scope would be so sensitive
We drove and the rifle was in a case unless I was carrying it. I wouldn’t think a $3000 scope would be so sensitive
Gargoyle
Finder Outer
You are running top notch gear. I am surprised about your zero shift. I would run a box test to confirm scope internals are working. You should be able to drop that rig from a few feet off the ground and not have a zero shift. I had an AR topped with a Holosun 510C red dot take a hop out the mule at 20mph and didn't see a zero change.
Jeff Porter
Gold $$ Contributor
How did you carry the rifle while hunting ? Any chance it got an impact while on the hunt ? 2 moa shift is about 0.012” change at the scope. If your rings were not fully seated they could have settled with a whack against a tree.
Carried it on a sling over the shoulder or strapped to the pack. I can’t see the rings settling in that much especially the American rifle company set. I had run through everything in my mind and was thinking the scope was more than likely the cause. Leupold said send it in and they will get it checked out
Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
Yeah Leupold is junk. Get a Trijicon
6MMsteve
Gold $$ Contributor
Tiger Tank Proof
Gargoyle
Finder Outer
I've had great results with the Leupold VX5HD series on my hunting rigs. I have 3 of them. Glass is exceptional for any scope, let alone the price point of the VX5HD line. I have a VX6HD 1-6 LPVO too. I was shooting LR with my 3-15X44 VX5HD next to a guy with a 5-25 Mark 5. I shot his 6.5PRC with that Mark 5 and I did not like the narrow sight picture/FOV. He shot my rifle with the VX5 and he noticed the much larger FOV. We both agreed the VX5HD looked better. The CDS dials are pretty damned KISS! Zap the critter with the RF and the number on your elevation dial are in yards. No front focal plane required.
A dear & beloved scope of mine is a Bushnell Tactical Elite DMRII 3-21X50. Boring repeatable adjustments, generous eye box, soothing glass. The glass isn't Japanese bright whites & blues retina burning, but more contrasty. I use it as my load testing scope and 1 mile shooting. That white buffalo in my avatar, LOL. Bushnell has the DMRIII out now that is supposed to be even better. I wouldn't hesitate one bit to try it out if I were in the market.
Trijicon 10 mile 5-25 was beautiful. I only fingered it though. The mag dial was like stereo smooth, sexy tactical look to the scope with the glass being just slightly under a Burris XTR III, and VX5HD when tryiing to resolve a billboard at 6 miles.
A dear & beloved scope of mine is a Bushnell Tactical Elite DMRII 3-21X50. Boring repeatable adjustments, generous eye box, soothing glass. The glass isn't Japanese bright whites & blues retina burning, but more contrasty. I use it as my load testing scope and 1 mile shooting. That white buffalo in my avatar, LOL. Bushnell has the DMRIII out now that is supposed to be even better. I wouldn't hesitate one bit to try it out if I were in the market.
Trijicon 10 mile 5-25 was beautiful. I only fingered it though. The mag dial was like stereo smooth, sexy tactical look to the scope with the glass being just slightly under a Burris XTR III, and VX5HD when tryiing to resolve a billboard at 6 miles.
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WSnyder
Silver $$ Contributor
Another burned by the oh so common Leupold failure to hold zero. I’ve had them fail riding in a padded case on the seat of the truck. I’ve had them fail riding in a Pelican case riding on top of other gear in the bed of the truck. I’ve had them fail in so many ways…and I’m not alone
WSnyder
Silver $$ Contributor
Nightforce too, they would be at the top of my list.
Fellow Aggie, class of 19 here. I would definitely send it back to Leupold. That doesn't sound right and everyone does put out a lemon once in a while. Leupold makes a whole lot of volume with those Mark 5 scopes as they've become very popular in PRS. I have one and mine is perfect for me, but I know that manufacturing isn't perfect and they can definitely spit out a bad one.
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