Scope seems to have gone bad, am i missing anything?

[archangel485]

Had a rifle that went from shooting 1/2" or less groups consistently, to literally the next range trip shooting at best 1" groups and a few as big as 5", average 2-3". I first re-torqued everything, rail, rings, action, and then cleaned the barrel very well. After doing that I had an okay group, still around an inch which is disappointing with this rifle. I then put on a new scope and shot the groups in the first 2 pictures, then I put the original scope back on and shot the group in the last picture. Am I missing anything? Or do I just need to get the scope sent in?

 

[birddog 68]

I would say you narrowed it down to the scope. Send it in.

 

[lancetkenyon]

Checked torque on ring caps?
Checked torque on cross pins (assuming Picatinney rail since you stated you swapped scopes already)?
Parallax adjusted properly?
Try the scope on another known rifle?

If all these have been verified, send it in.

I see you (probably purposely) failed to mention brand of scope.

 

[xsn10s]

You did all the things I would do. After that I generally put on a proven scope. That's when I can rule out the rifle or scope.
Update: Sorry i missed the part where you put on a different scope. I need more coffee lol.

 

[Hugnot]

Scopes use spring(s) to position the erector tube inside. I have had the spring fail and as a result the groups were measured in feet vs. inches despite exact bore sight.

Upon backing the elevation dial out to get more elevation (up) or backing the windage dial out to get more (right, side) windage, spring tension is relieved. Should spring tension be inadequate to hold the erector tube in a stable position, groups will suffer, especially with hard kickers.

Good pics & test - sure looks like a good procedure to show scope problems. Send the scope back & check it out. I like Burris Sig rings that help center adjustments.

 

[waveslayer]

Which scopes are you running?

 

[archangel485]

Thanks for all your responses this morning. I'll get it sent in. And yes I intentionally left scope brands and models out, it is not my intention to rag on or defame the company, it's a great company with great customer service so I have no doubt I will get taken care of.

 

[archangel485]

Checked torque on ring caps?
Checked torque on cross pins (assuming Picatinney rail since you stated you swapped scopes already)?
Parallax adjusted properly?
Try the scope on another known rifle?

If all these have been verified, send it in.

I see you (probably purposely) failed to mention brand of scope.

The one thing in your list I didn't do is put the suspected problem scope on another rifle. I don't think that step is entirely necessary since I was able to get this rifle to shoot good on multiple groups with a different scope, but tell me if I'm missing something.

 

[xsn10s]

The one thing in your list I didn't do is put the suspected problem scope on another rifle. I don't think that step is entirely necessary since I was able to get this rifle to shoot good on multiple groups with a different scope, but tell me if I'm missing something.

I agree with Lance and would have put that suspected scope on a different proven rifle.

 

[Outdrmn]

Sorry for your trouble with this, I'm having the exact same issue right now so thanks for posting this. I'll try what you've done with this.

 

[waveslayer]

Vortex

 

[archangel485]

I agree with Lance and would have put that suspected scope on a different proven rifle.

Okay, can you tell me why? Extra confirmation perhaps?

 

[archangel485]

Vortex

la la la. haha.

 

[archangel485]

Sorry for your trouble with this, I'm having the exact same issue right now so thanks for posting this. I'll try what you've done with this.

Like I said, literally went bad from one range trip to the next. I shot a 5 shot group, 4 in 1 hole, 1 off a bit (could've been me who knows), then the next range trip I couldn't get 2 shots within an inch of each other, sometimes multiple inches. I cleaned the barrel thoroughly (JB bore paste included) and checked my cleaning job with a bore scope, just to do my due diligence. But I was suspicious that such a drastic change could have been the result of barrel fouling. The scope swap was the last thing I tried since it seems like such an unlikely thing to happen to me, but I appreciate the comment about the erector spring.