scope or shooter

[204cat]

is it the scope or shooter ? at the range i get a horizontal group all strung out to about a half inch with the bullet holes touching. next target i entered four clicks to center. when i fired it hit the exact same spot as before the four clicks. like there was no change. so i shot it again with a horizontal line. next target again another four clicks and hit the same spot distance like there was no change. i am thinking that it is the scope that is broke. i also realize that i could be jerking or flinching a little. i do not think i am. time for a new scope ? i did not get to the range in the winter time with all the snow so maybe i need more practice ? is there a way to check the scope ? thank you.

[204cat]

arrgh. i realized that i could just turn the dial real fast to see if there is any movement. did not want to loose the place though. but is there another way to check ?

[lanenebraska]

I'd say scope is bad.

You may want to try gently "tapping" the top of the scope turrets, after you change the setting. Some scopes need a little vibration to set-in the dialed change

[Jim White]

arrgh. i realized that i could just turn the dial real fast to see if there is any movement. did not want to loose the place though. but is there another way to check ?

Sit the rifle in a vice/rest. Remove the turret caps, mark each turret with a piece of tape. Looking thru the scope with the cross hair lined up to a spot on the wall, something in the yards, etc turn the knobs 1 full turn, in both directions while looking thru the scope. If they're working you should see movement.

For me I have on of the older Leupold magnetic bore sighters that has a grid. So I just line everything up and crank the knobs. It become quite aparant if they're not working.

HTH,

[acloco]

Are you using colored targets? (something other than black and white)

If so, it is the target that you are using, not you, rifle, or scope.

The eye has the best clarity when viewing black and white. Edges of any color bleed at any distance and under any magnification. Good glass helps, but does not prevent all of it.

Simple to prove to yourself.....set a black and white target next to a colored target with the same point of aim on both (corner of a box). Bet your group shrinks with the salted pepper target.

[204cat]

set it up and started turning the knobs. it would move one way fine but not the other way until a half turn of the knob before it would engage. . time to get a new scope.

i use several targets. one is the benchrest with the square above the circle. the one i was using is the standard 100 yard zeroing target with four small at each edge and one large one in the middle. it does have the orange dot in the middle. i aim at the same place. five shot group. usually the bullet holes overlap. last time at the range i got spread horizontal .4 at 100 yard. after adjustment of four clicks it was still wide with no change. the whole group should have centered too. it stayed the same. that was when i knew something was off. will give that black and white target comparison a try. gallon water jugs are way fun.

[Critter]

Sounds like you could possilby be out of travel.

Crank the scope back the other direction both windage and elevation.

This may not be the problem, but if it is then you probably have a mounting problem.

Lateral shifting may also be the result of rifle tilting, or inconsistent hold pressure. Try doing the same thing every time prior to shooting.

You might also try optically centering the scope before mounting and perhaps find more evidence of problems with mount.

Good luck!