SmallCaliberCentral

Nikon Buckmaster 4.5-14x40, Dednutz one piece base/rings, Savage Model 12 FLV. Has held zero and been <.5" @ 100 yds. for almost two years. No load changes, never dropped. Shot fine on Saturday, would not group on Sunday. Five shot groups @ 100 yds. average 4 inches! Have a friend with same scope on Savage LRPV (both guns are .204 Ruger) he lost all accuracy at about the 2 year mark. Sent it in and did not shoot any better when returned. He replaced it with a Zeiss, not an option on my budget. Nothing loose on my stock, base or rings. Any others have experience with Nikon Buckmasters? Probably should have posted this under re-loading for more exposure. Did not because the pet load (32 gr. v-max, 29.5 gr. Varget, Federal 205M, Win. brass W/ full prep., 2.280 COAL) has been working so well.

Have you sent yours in? If not, take it to the range and try a box test or, you can put a dot or piece of paper on the wall, mount the gun in a cradle twist the knobs and see if there is any response.

About a year ago my Nikon 6.5-20x50 went south and they just replaced it with the new model.

HTH,

Scope is still mounted. I will do as suggested. It is strange though, during original sight-in, I just walked it right into the ten ring with factory ammo. Started re-loading it when I had enough brass and adjusted for that. Never had an accuracy issue until now.

Make sure you do a QA check of the action scope bases and ring screws.

HTH,

I have that scope. Ran it a year on a .204 with no problems. Now going on 3 years with just an eyepiece focus ring that I have to screw back out everytime the lense covers come off. I like the quality feel and the glass of these scopes; don't care for the "tunnel vision" and have noticed what seems like a lot being sold as reconditioned. Would probably pop for a Monarch if could do over. I haven't noticed any expanding groups with the Hornet the BM's on now, but am getting the occasional head-scratching flyer; never attributed that to a scope problem, but maybe...

I have a Buckmaster 4.5-14x40 but mine has AO instead of side focus. I've thru each one and to be honest, I prefer the AO version because it doesn't have the tunnel vision of the newer ones. The newer ones are clearer though but thats OK for me because I only use mine for sage rats.

If the scope is bad though all I can say is Nikon was good to me with replacing mine under warranty.

Jim

Well, I pulled the Nikon off and mounted Leupold 3-9x40 vx-II that I bought in 1981. Not a scope problem. The only other change is that I started neck trimming. Wonder if I went too far? Will load some older brass that has not been trimmed for thickness and see what I get.

Ramos, did you try factory ammo? Gary

Don't have any factory ammo but, have loaded 10 rounds using old brass that shot so well before. Hve to wait until Saturday to be home during day-light hours.