Zeroing Frustration

grdpounder · July 29, 2013, 04:15 PM

Afternoon, I am having issues zeroing my 10\22 Takedown, and figured I would solicit advise from the good folks here. The rifle has a 3-9X32 CBQ Scope with their rings. The base is tight and has been secured with blue loctite, also I just had the trigger done by Brimstone they did a great job. The problem is once I get the rifle zeroed, a few shots later it is out of zero again sometimes by 4 inches. I get good groups but the zero keeps changing, thoughts?

markj · July 29, 2013, 04:40 PM

Quote:

a few shots later it is out of zero again

Try a different scope. Had this happen and it was an optical was loose inside the scope.

WCW · July 29, 2013, 04:42 PM

I would try a different scope. Appears to me the inner tube is loose in the adjustment screws. This will produce the exact symptoms you are experiencing.

g.willikers · July 29, 2013, 04:57 PM

It could be the way you're looking through the scope.
On some scope designs, varying the cheek weld or the angle of view can cause the reticle (or dot) to move around relative to the target.
If the iron sights are still in place, use them at a close target just to check.

Brian Pfleuger · July 29, 2013, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g.willikers

It could be the way you're looking through the scope.
On some scope designs, varying the cheek weld or the angle of view can cause the reticle (or dot) to move around relative to the target.
If the iron sights are still in place, use them at a close target just to check.

Actually, that's a matter of physics and every scope will do it if its not adjusted for the range of your target or if its fixed parallax, if you're not shooting close to the range its fixed at.

If the scope has an adjustable parallax, that could be the issue. If not, it sounds like it's guts are broken.

grdpounder · July 29, 2013, 05:17 PM

I was shooting at a range of 25 yrds off a rest and the scope was set for that range. When I first started to try and zero the rifle was shooting 8 inches to the right I really had to bring it left to get it too center...I'll mount the scope I have on my 17 HMR and try to zero it on Friday. More to follow.

Mobuck · July 29, 2013, 06:35 PM

You have a system in which the scope is mounted to the receiver and the barrel is "loosely attached" (figuratively speaking)to the receiver. It would take very little difference in pressure on the fore arm to change POI.

jmr40 · July 29, 2013, 06:44 PM

I'd 2nd checking to make sure the takedown rifle is together properly. If it is loose this is what I'd expect. There is an adjustment ring. Read the owners manual carefully and make sure it is together right.

Metal god · July 30, 2013, 05:30 PM

Quote:

When I first started to try and zero the rifle was shooting 8 inches to the right I really had to bring it left to get it too center

That makes you off by 32moa . You have to be at the max wind adjustment and I would say thats your issue . The reticle is no where near the center of the glass and I'm sure you are getting a distorted sight picture . I think that will throw your parallax off as well and your sight picture cus you are looking through the more curved part of the lens . I would also think that the internal adjustments are maxed out and can not hold zero cus your at the end of the threads .

I had this issue once and I had to remount my scope and turn one of the rings 180 degrees to pull the scope back to center . The base may just need to be remounted cus ithe front or back shifted to one side throwing the whole alignment out of whack .

Just a thought

fileophile · August 2, 2013, 06:13 PM

1. Parallax adjustment
2. Rings tightened properly and mounted tightly to rail/mounting points (this is most likely the cause in my experience -- looseness here. You can't necessarily feel this looseness.)
3. No scope "shadowing" -- get the eye relief and cheek weld right.
4. Defective scope (rarely the case with modern scopes.

5thShock · August 2, 2013, 10:15 PM

Remove the scope, shoot a group with the iron sights.

dahermit · August 3, 2013, 07:32 AM

Quote:

I'd 2nd checking to make sure the takedown rifle is together properly. If it is loose this is what I'd expect.

I will "3rd" that. With that take-down Ruger, the scope is mounted to the receiver, the barrel assembly is a separate unit. Hmmmm... where could the trouble be? Re: Occam's razor.

Torch · August 3, 2013, 09:13 AM

I doubt it is the rifle. If the takedown was loose enough to cause a 4" deviation at 25 or 50 yards then it would feel very loose. Does it feel loose? If not, and you're sure that the rings and mount are tight then it must be the scope.

Art Eatman · August 3, 2013, 10:36 AM

See Post #6. Let's wait for range results.

grdpounder · August 5, 2013, 05:19 PM

Unfortunately, no results yet after spending10 hours at the range this weekend I didn't have an opportunity to send any rounds down range, I volunteer as a RSO and we are allowed to fire when the range isn't busy but it must have been a combination of the great weather and payday weekend for the military because the range was packed all day long Friday and Sunday. My next chance to get out will be a week from this Friday so more to follow.
Ed

Art Eatman · August 5, 2013, 08:01 PM

Crossed fingers; best luck.

Probably best to start a new thread with the results.

grdpounder · August 5, 2013, 08:18 PM

Yes Sir!

July 29, 2013, 04:15 PM	#1
grdpounder Member Join Date: July 13, 2006 Posts: 37	Zeroing Frustration Afternoon, I am having issues zeroing my 10\22 Takedown, and figured I would solicit advise from the good folks here. The rifle has a 3-9X32 CBQ Scope with their rings. The base is tight and has been secured with blue loctite, also I just had the trigger done by Brimstone they did a great job. The problem is once I get the rifle zeroed, a few shots later it is out of zero again sometimes by 4 inches. I get good groups but the zero keeps changing, thoughts?

July 29, 2013, 04:57 PM	#4
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	It could be the way you're looking through the scope. On some scope designs, varying the cheek weld or the angle of view can cause the reticle (or dot) to move around relative to the target. If the iron sights are still in place, use them at a close target just to check. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

August 2, 2013, 06:13 PM	#10
fileophile Member Join Date: November 12, 2011 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 27	Several things to check 1. Parallax adjustment 2. Rings tightened properly and mounted tightly to rail/mounting points (this is most likely the cause in my experience -- looseness here. You can't necessarily feel this looseness.) 3. No scope "shadowing" -- get the eye relief and cheek weld right. 4. Defective scope (rarely the case with modern scopes.

August 5, 2013, 05:19 PM	#15
grdpounder Member Join Date: July 13, 2006 Posts: 37	Results Unfortunately, no results yet after spending10 hours at the range this weekend I didn't have an opportunity to send any rounds down range, I volunteer as a RSO and we are allowed to fire when the range isn't busy but it must have been a combination of the great weather and payday weekend for the military because the range was packed all day long Friday and Sunday. My next chance to get out will be a week from this Friday so more to follow. Ed

August 5, 2013, 08:18 PM	#17
grdpounder Member Join Date: July 13, 2006 Posts: 37	Will Do Yes Sir!

July 29, 2013, 04:42 PM	#3
WCW Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2007 Posts: 132	I would try a different scope. Appears to me the inner tube is loose in the adjustment screws. This will produce the exact symptoms you are experiencing.

July 29, 2013, 05:17 PM	#6
grdpounder Member Join Date: July 13, 2006 Posts: 37	Thanks I was shooting at a range of 25 yrds off a rest and the scope was set for that range. When I first started to try and zero the rifle was shooting 8 inches to the right I really had to bring it left to get it too center...I'll mount the scope I have on my 17 HMR and try to zero it on Friday. More to follow.

July 29, 2013, 06:35 PM	#7
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	You have a system in which the scope is mounted to the receiver and the barrel is "loosely attached" (figuratively speaking)to the receiver. It would take very little difference in pressure on the fore arm to change POI.

July 29, 2013, 06:44 PM	#8
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,808	I'd 2nd checking to make sure the takedown rifle is together properly. If it is loose this is what I'd expect. There is an adjustment ring. Read the owners manual carefully and make sure it is together right.

August 2, 2013, 10:15 PM	#11
5thShock Senior Member Join Date: August 28, 2006 Posts: 400	Remove the scope, shoot a group with the iron sights.

August 3, 2013, 09:13 AM	#13
Torch Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Location: The piney woods of Texas Posts: 111	I doubt it is the rifle. If the takedown was loose enough to cause a 4" deviation at 25 or 50 yards then it would feel very loose. Does it feel loose? If not, and you're sure that the rings and mount are tight then it must be the scope.

August 3, 2013, 10:36 AM	#14
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	See Post #6. Let's wait for range results.

August 5, 2013, 08:01 PM	#16
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Crossed fingers; best luck. Probably best to start a new thread with the results.