scope problems???

[rob67]

how can you tell if a scope is bad. go to load is bad now. keep having to adjust scope to the left and no group. about 3 to 4 inch at 100 yards. checked and cleaned every thing still no luck. short of getting another scope what else can i do. it is a nikon omega.

[Richard]

If you don't have another, would it be possible to borrow one from a buddy to try?
Here is something you might try: Center your cross hairs....by that I mean run your elevation all the way in one direction until it stops at the same time check to see if if you actually see it moving. Once it is stopped (either at the bottom or top) count the number of clicks it takes to bring it the opposite direction; then go half that number of clicks back. That will put your elevation in the center of the scope. Now do the same with your horizontal adjustments and center it. Watching that the crosshairs are moving. At this point you will have the maximum amount of elevation and wind-age adjustment. Now bore sight it or take it to the range and see what happens? Your scope may not be in alignment with the bore and you have run out of adjustment. Remember, anytime either your elevation or wind-age are at the end of their adjustment? You will not have any of the other adjustment. Lets say your elevation adjustment is bottomed out? You will not have any wind-age. and vice/versa.
A second scope of known reliability would be the next step other than a trip back to Nikon.
Richard

[cuda]

Are the bases tight check all of the screws. If it is a new gun check that the front base is not on the recoil lug.

[Richard]

Good point Cuda...............Also, if the front screw is too long, it will bottom out on the barrel threads and fail to tighten down the mount.
Richard

[Dave W]

Tried a group with iron sights with your go-to-load? If it shoots good with the iron sights, you know you have a base/ring/scope problem.

[tdillinger]

Oct 2, 2010 19:11:30 GMT -5 rob67 said:

how can you tell if a scope is bad. go to load is bad now. keep having to adjust scope to the left and no group. about 3 to 4 inch at 100 yards. checked and cleaned every thing still no luck. short of getting another scope what else can i do. it is a nikon omega.

Sometimes scoprs just dont hold a group for various reasons. If it were a burris you could exchange it or upgrade,. I like the signature series and the life time warranty to the scope not owner.

[rob67]

scope base is tight, no interference to recoill lug. it is a one piece billet alluminum dead nutz mount. clean bp, new vl, recoil lug is tight against stock. i have shot close to 300 rounds with this set up. and now with ml season here it has gone to crap. I will try another scope off another rifle. If this doesnt work i will find someone in NC that knows these guns to look at it. thanks Rob

[tar12]

Have you checked your ventliner dia?

[herman]

You can try it at 25 yds,most guns will shoot in one hole or close to it.Leave the scope at one setting if the bullet goes all over the target it is the scope.

[ET]

Rob67

Good advice is given here for what to check.
Okay you checked the mounts and say they are tight. I’m not questioning your integrity but need to know how you checked this. The reason I ask is that because I was caught on this one once. The only true way to do this is to take the scope off and check the front base mount too see if the screws are actually tight. This is the reason I opted for QR rings for quick checking of base mounts and quick replacement with another scope if needed.

Another thing I found that quickly can throw your groups off is shooting form. This heavier recoiling rifle is more finicky on how it’s handled than meets the eye. The front of the stock needs to be placed as close and comfortable to the recoil lug as possible on the rest. Alter that set point back and forth and your groups will show it. When supporting this muzzle loader it needs to be done the same way every time. In other words if pictures could be taken of you and your position before each firing there should be no noticeable difference seen from one picture to the next.

Hopefully something said here is useful.


Ed

[Richard]

Check your PM's
Richard

[rob67]

tar12 i installed a new savage vl assumed it was correct u know how assume goes. but i did check old liner and a #68 drill bit was snug .0315 i think. et i pulled scope and checked screws and where thight, did not check length. i will check later. i have 2 weeks of ml season now and a 5 year old wanting to hunt with me now so i think 4 inches at 100 yards will work for now. most shots are within 60 yards anyway. i just hate when things go bad. thank all of you on thid board because your are the reason i bought this savage. never been disapointed untill last week. probally something simple like the nut behind the wheel. thanks again

[ET]

Rob67

Hope you narrow down this condition quickly.
Also hope you have a great time with your son and are successful.

Safe hunting with a well thought for success to the both of you.

Ed

[mike3132]

I would say its the optics if it wont hold zero. What kind of scope is it? Mike

[tar12]

It is not your ventliner then. You can expect weird groups when the vent goes. Put some proven glass on it.

[pposey]

Where are ya?

[rob67]

pposey i live in pinehurst nc. mike it is a nikon omega. i will be unemployed tomorrow and will change scopes with one i know works. me and 5 year old son watched 13 deer monday for 30 min. , does and fawns. it was a lot of fun. tuesday we took a doe that was by itself at 50yards.

[pposey]

OK if you were close I was gonna offer you to come up and slap a proven scope of mine on there and shoot a few times, your pretty far off though, Id change the scope and try, the ml2 is hard on scopes