Nightforce Problem?

[Nimrodmar10]

I've got a Remington Sendero 7 RUM that I'm trying to use for long range. I've got a Nightforce 5.5-22x56 on top mounted in NF steel rings and NF steel 20 MOA picatinny rail. I'm having a very hard time getting this gun to shoot sub-MOA. One day it will shoot a good, not great, group. The next time it won't hold them in a tea cup. Yesterday was a tea cup day. While sitting at the bench trying to figure out the problem, I tried wiggling the scope to make sure everything was still tight. It was rock solid until I got to the rear lens. If I tried to make it wiggle while looking through the scope, the cross hairs moved all over the target. I was surprised. Not so much that the lens moved because it turns with the power adjustment, but with the fact that the cross hairs moved so much. How do I know that they are staying constant when I change power or even shot to shot?

I may be grasping at straws here. Would some of you guys try this and tell me if your NF does the same.

I'm just having a hard time believing that I can't make this gun shoot. I've been shooting 700 Remingtons for 40 years and reloading for them just as long. This one is giving me fits. The only thing I haven't done it is bed the stock but it seems to be stable. I get no movement when I torque the front or rear action screw independently. There are only two new variables on this rifle: the caliber and the NF scope. I've never owned either one before. I'm thinking one of them is the problem.

 

[Pdvdh]

You might try swapping out that scope with a previously proven solid scope and see if your groups improve? I know of others that have used this technique to identify a problem scope. I've done the same thing myself when I was suspicious of a failing scope.

 

[Len Backus]

Nimrod, are you simply describing parallax? I can't tell from your description.

 

[Nimrodmar10]

Nimrod, are you simply describing parallax? I can't tell from your description.

Len
It's not parallax at all. With the parallax setting adjusted for 100 yards and the rifle held steady in the rest, if you move the rear lens the cross hairs move on the target. I'm concerned that it may be causing problems with the groups.

 

[WildRose]

Len
It's not parallax at all. With the parallax setting adjusted for 100 yards and the rifle held steady in the rest, if you move the rear lens the cross hairs move on the target. I'm concerned that it may be causing problems with the groups.

Emphasis mine.

What do you mean "move the rear lens" exactly?

If you move the rifle in any way it is going to change the point of aim considerably.

I'd say bed the action and make sure the barrel is fully free floated for starters.

To me, it's not even worth the ammo to sight one in until that's done.

 

[Pdvdh]

The rear lens should not move, unless something hasn't been tightened down, or something has broken.

 

[Nimrodmar10]

By "move the rear lens" I mean grab the rear lens and wiggle it while holding the gun and rest of the scope still. If I look through the scope while doing this the cross hairs move on the target. I'm wondering if it's just my NF NXS or if they all do it. The barrel is floated and I don't believe the stock needs to be bedded. It is steady in the aluminium bedding block.

 

[Topshot]

If the locking nut is tight on the rear lens it will not wiggle. If you can move the rear ocular housing with this nut tight then something is not right.

 

[Nimrodmar10]

There's not a locking nut on a Nightforce. The rear lens turns with the power adjustment.

 

[Capt. D]

Call or Send it to Night Force and let them take a look at it. I've never heard a corss word about dealing with them.

I have a Night Force and love it but have never had to deal with them regarding repairs.

Dallas

 

[Len Backus]

How do I know that they are staying constant when I change power

While shooting the groups, are you changing the power in between shots in a group?

 

[Nimrodmar10]

While shooting the groups, are you changing the power in between shots in a group?

No, but I'm probably changing the scope power between range sessions due to using it for hunting.

 

[INTJ1]

Definitely call Nightforce. There should be no such movement, even when changing power settings. Also, even stocks with aluminum bedding blocks should be bedded for best results. You can conceivably shoot the throat out of a factory barreled 7mm RUM barrel in 400-500 rounds, so you want to give it every opportunity to dial in with as few rounds as possible.

 

[ultraedge]

On a NXS model there is a lock ring between the power adjustment and the rear lens to lock the rear lens after adjusting the focus.