Dry Fireing practice reveals bad Leupold Mark4

[SBruce]

How many of you ever see the reticle move when the fireing pin falls?

Yesterday, I tested some loads (nothing very impressive, scope was already suspect, rifle hasn't shown anything impressive with said scope) and afterwards I decided to dry fire while still set up on the bench with a very steady/stable hold..............the reticle moved right by as much as 1/2" at 100 yds every time I dry fired. I'm fairly certain it wasn't me because I could pull the trigger and not move the rifle anywhere near that much with an uncocked firing pin. This has got me thinking that if just the pin vibration is moving the reticle up to 1/2", then how much is recoil moving the reticle?

Next plan is to try another scope obviously, but I am wondering how many of you have ever seen similar things, and was the scope indeed bad if you did???

Thanks in advance.

 

[retiredcpo]

I have never seen anything like that
I would email or call leupold and see what they say
Im sure they will make it right
retiredcpo

 

[Broz]

Never seen it on dry fire but had two do this in the same season. Both were Lupy XV 3's LR with 30mm tubes and side focus. Rifles were proven under 1 moa guns that went to 3" shooters at 100. Heck one went to an 8" gun at 100. New scopes fixed both rifles. Their warranty is great but this was the beginning of my Lupy's all being sold off. Just can't trust them after that.

Jeff

 

[436]

How many of you ever see the reticle move when the fireing pin falls?

Yesterday, I tested some loads (nothing very impressive, scope was already suspect, rifle hasn't shown anything impressive with said scope) and afterwards I decided to dry fire while still set up on the bench with a very steady/stable hold..............the reticle moved right by as much as 1/2" at 100 yds every time I dry fired. I'm fairly certain it wasn't me because I could pull the trigger and not move the rifle anywhere near that much with an uncocked firing pin. This has got me thinking that if just the pin vibration is moving the reticle up to 1/2", then how much is recoil moving the reticle?

Next plan is to try another scope obviously, but I am wondering how many of you have ever seen similar things, and was the scope indeed bad if you did???

Thanks in advance.

They don't my friend; you've got a problem.. Agree... call scope manufacture.
Are they etched or wire? The wire usually just fall if there that loose.
Good luck
436

 

[HARPERC]

Yes unfortunately I have. Ditto on seemingly good rifles going to hell without notice. I've seen a crosshair completely disappear (not leupold). Send it back-good news is they will fix it, bad news maybe not first time. Process may include getting back with a note saying nothing wrong, and not fixed, or saying nothing wrong but fixed.
The older I get the more I wonder how many good rifles get moved on because of an undiagnosed scope issue.

 

[J E Custom]

Before you panic, check the lock ring on the ocular lens .

When adjusting the eye piece for your eye you must loosen the lock ring to adjust.

If it is not re-tightened when adjusted is complete the reticule will move.

This is because of the thread fit when loose.

This may not be the problem but it could be and It could save you a lot of trouble.

Let us know because every scope with the lock ring will have this problem if not tight.

J E CUSTOM

 

[436]

SBruce,

J E custom has a good point; if it comes back as fixed with no explanation'..., that {lock ring on the ocular lens} might have been the problem in the first place.
Good luck
436

 

[SBruce]

Eye piece lock ring is tight. Just checked. No perceptable movement when I grab and twist the eyepiece or the lock ring, they feel pretty snug.

Thanks for that suggestion though.

The reticle is etched I believe. It's the TMR in an 8.5-25X50 LRT

 

[436]

Eye piece lock ring is tight. Just checked. No perceptable movement when I grab and twist the eyepiece or the lock ring, they feel pretty snug.

Thanks for that suggestion though.

The reticle is etched I believe. It's the TMR in an 8.5-25X50 LRT

I have the same scope Leupold 8.5-25X50 LRT w/TMR and front focal plane reticle on my Tac rifle...
I've never seen any movement; your reticle glass lens is loose for sure. It's a great scope and I'm sure Leupold will more then take care of the problem(s), their a great company with some super people, and people are the company.
436

 

[davewilson]

How many of you ever see the reticle move when the fireing pin falls?

Yesterday, I tested some loads (nothing very impressive, scope was already suspect, rifle hasn't shown anything impressive with said scope) and afterwards I decided to dry fire while still set up on the bench with a very steady/stable hold..............the reticle moved right by as much as 1/2" at 100 yds every time I dry fired. I'm fairly certain it wasn't me because I could pull the trigger and not move the rifle anywhere near that much with an uncocked firing pin. This has got me thinking that if just the pin vibration is moving the reticle up to 1/2", then how much is recoil moving the reticle?

Next plan is to try another scope obviously, but I am wondering how many of you have ever seen similar things, and was the scope indeed bad if you did???

Thanks in advance.

the gun moves when the firing pin slams into the front of the chamber. it's not the reticle moving inside the scope.

 

[SBruce]

the gun moves when the firing pin slams into the front of the chamber. it's not the reticle moving inside the scope.

Well that would bring me back to the rifle having a problem and being extremely picky about ammo it will shoot under 3/4 moa. The only 5 shot groups this gun has fired that are below 3/4 minute were shot with a different scope on it.?

The rifle really should shoot, and I've already had it back to the smith to check bedding. All checked out ok. Tried 5 bullets, different seating depths, two primers. Two powders, no reason it shouldn't shoot one hole groups by now. Even blind luck should've stumbled across something that would shoot sub 1/2 minute.

Nesika action, pillar bedded into a heavy resin filled wood stock. Heavy straight taper Krieger barrel, 12 twist 22-250, fully floated from the action forward. Jewel trigger set at 10 oz. 1913 rail on top. Barrel is not loose, action and base screws are tight. The barrel didn't move a dial indicator any at all when the action screws were loosened alternately.

If it's the rifle, I am guessing that it's chamber/bore alignment, action/barrel alignment, or bad barrel/bad crown.? The throat hasn't lengthened much yet. Testing with another scope is in the plans at the moment, unless there's any other suggestions.

One thing I found interesting with this particular action, is there is no recoil lug. The lug is the heavy tang at the rear of the action. Anyone got a rifle like that?

 

[436]

SBruce,
I'd agree with Davewilson; "if" the reticle just appeared to shimmy a very, very little when you dry fire it. But from the sound of it'…, it sounds like they move quite a bit. If it's not the mount, rings or ocular lens lock ring. Well after that it's going to have to be something that holds the reticle which is on etched glass in your case... that only leaves the spring pressure on the L&W adjustment that put pressure on the cam-tube or the cam-tube which holds the reticle lens is loose.
436

 

[MHO]

Yes had a leup vxIII do the same thing. They did fix it though with no hassle.

 

[SBruce]

Rings are Nightforce Ultralights. Everything is torqued to spec and double checked twice now.

I've got another scope coming............will eventually need a "backup" anyway. I'll send this one in to Leupold, if nothing else to at least have it checked out. I've lost faith in the scope at this point. Problem may not be 100% scope, but we'll see.

Thanks for the responses.