11 February 2019, 21:14
mrjulian_1970What happens inside a scope when it gets "knocked off zero"?
A couple of weeks ago I had a rifle fall off a workbench and clatter to the floor (don't ask).
It's a wooden stocked Weatherby Vanguard in 270Win, with a Nikon Monarch 5, 2.5-10x42.
First trip to the range to assess the damage had the rounds impacting 6 inches low and 10 inches left of the original zero.
After adjusting back to where I wanted it, I proceeded to shoot two, 5-shot groups under 0.75 inches.... so the scope was not broken in the fall.
My question is, what actually happens inside a scope when it gets knocked around in a fall? If nothing breaks, what causes the POA to shift by several inches?
11 February 2019, 21:37
eagle27quote:
Originally posted by mrjulian_1970:
A couple of weeks ago I had a rifle fall off a workbench and clatter to the floor (don't ask).
It's a wooden stocked Weatherby Vanguard in 270Win, with a Nikon Monarch 5, 2.5-10x42.
First trip to the range to assess the damage had the rounds impacting 6 inches low and 10 inches left of the original zero.
After adjusting back to where I wanted it, I proceeded to shoot two, 5-shot groups under 0.75 inches.... so the scope was not broken in the fall.
My question is, what actually happens inside a scope when it gets knocked around in a fall? If nothing breaks, what causes the POA to shift by several inches?
Scope may not be broken as such but have been bent slightly, not even visible to the eye. Would not take much to alter the POI.
12 February 2019, 09:01
sambarman338As Atkinson points out, the most likely thing is that the outer scope or mounts have been moved or bent.
The erector tube can be jolted but it should spring back to zero, with luck. It's the relentless shock of recoil that usually wears them out.