Vortex HS-T / Ruger Precision alignment woes

[Archis]

Basic setup is this: Ruger Precision Rifle (.243 Win) w/ Vortex HS-T 6-24x50 in Vortex precision matched rings. The Ruger comes from the factory with a 20MOA rail. Once sighted in at 100yds I'm a little bothered with how much adjustment I have left.

• 38moa Up
• 35moa Down
• 14moa Right
• 54moa Left

Based on the range of adjustment remaining, it appears that the scope is canted up and to the right. I contacted Vortex about the issue and they basically shrugged it off blaming Ruger. The tech's response was that "since the Ruger has a press fit barrel, you're lucky you have any adjustment at all". I'm not terribly inclined to believe his diagnosis as the barrel is a threaded receiver / barrel nut assembly similar to a Savage. Now, I'm not discounting that there may be alignment issues in the rifle but I have a hard time believing it's THAT far out. By his reasoning, if it didn't have the 20moa rail I wouldn't get past 600yds before I ran out of adjustment!

Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill here? I can live with the amount adjustment that I have (38moa gets me to 1100yds which is farther than I have access to), but the type A in me wants to get to the bottom of the issue. The rings are tightened to spec, with equal gaps between top and bottom halves (measured with feeler gauges). Lapping may help a little. Should I swap rings around (front to back, left to right)? Any suggestions on trying to track down the issue would be appreciated.

I searched through this forum looking for an answer and didn't see anyone with similar issues so I apologize if this topic has been covered in depth before.

 

[Catfur]

My Savage action F-Open rifle, w/20moa rail is way off in one direction l/r (Only a few MOA left). The solution for me was US Optics windage adjustable rings.

 

[boltfluter]

I would definitely swap rings around as you have nothing to loose. You may be surprised at the results. I have been. Good luck.

Regards, Paul

www.boltfluting.com

 

[MS50]

I'm no optics expert, but I learned a lot recently when dealing with a similar scope issue. You might want to try mechanically and optically centering your reticle. Search it on this site, or Google it. After doing this, remount the scope and bore sight it. Check the range of elevation and windage to see if there's a change. If you still don't get the elevation you think you should, you can try mounting the scope with Sig Zee rings with inserts. I did this, and between the rings and rail, I have a 30moa cant. With a 100yd zero, I can now dial out to over 1200 yards without stressing the erectors. My scope does not provide the advertised elevation, so I had to work around it. I have no need for more than about 1 mil down adjustment on my elevation. The Sig Zee rings with their inserts can also be used to account for problems with windage. I'm a relative rookie to the long range game, so there may be better information out there for you. This is what worked for me.

 

[CJ6]

Get a set of Burris Sig. Zee rings or the newer Tac series with inserts and adjust the alignment issues with the inserts.

 

[Zero333]

If you have another scoped rifle, take that other scope/rings and put it on your RPR. Swap one thing at a time. If you have a laser bore sighter you can verify at home what component is causing the misalignment. This way you will know for sure weather it's the rifle or the rings or the scope.

 

[Archis]

So among other tasks tonight I took to reversing the scope mounts, front to back and left to right. If the issue was with the rings I figured it would show there. Well, I'll say this for Vortex rings, they are dead on. Scope didn't appear to move zero at all (granted I was only bore sighting).

I have a Savage with a scope that will fit the Vortex rings, I'll swap it in and see if I have similar mis-alignments.

I like the idea of the Burris TAC rings with the inserts. Seems like a pretty ingenious way to handle alignment issues.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

 

[Scott Harris]

Hi Archis,

Your problem is not uncommon. The scope, rings, and rail are usually good to go. Most likely cause is the barrel bore pointing off center or the action rail screw holes are not straight. Your easiest fix would be to use the Burris rings with the inserts that allow you to adjust for windage.