For owners of RSM or Ruger rifles with iron sights. I own several ruger rifles. An RSM &
a magnum with the quarter rib as well as others. I generally leave the scopes in ruger rings on and also use irons when preparing for a hunt, but I sight in the scope and leave it on for the trip and would remove scope if called for ( although it has not been required yet ) To my question ---- For those who have
removed scope and then put it back on, how well did it hold zero ? Please give reults that were tested so I have an idea, mostly for longer range shots, I know at close range there would be little difference. Any help with known results would be much appreciated.

under 100, with the ruger rings, the difference is immaterial. don't know if that helps you out, as your ranges are unstated...

if i was going to shoot "long range" .. which for a bigbore is past 100 yards, i'd certainly test my results out at the range.

Not scientific at all, but method I use is to apply small white dot/mark on the slot of the cross bolt on Ruger rings and torque down tightly with coin/quarter.(don't routinely carry a screw drive with me.) Then another dot to serve as reference. When they line up the amount of torque/grip should be much the same for either mount. Fired groups of three and removed scope, reinstalled and lined up dots and point of impact was very near the first group. I only did this to test the ring/mount system for curiosity, but seems to work out fine. Would point out that the rear ring/slotted cross bolt does not end up in the same "clock" position as the front one?? Front one ends up being at 9 o'clock and rear one ends up at 11 o'clock, but it works out OK. I also do this "dot" system for the action screws to double check if the screws have backed off or not. Just a suggestion.

So far that is what I am looking for. I plan on testing soon but would like as much information as possible so I know what paramiters I can expect. Keep them coming.

Why don't you get yourself one of those fancy Leupold magnetic bore site devices. Then look where it lines up once you have the rifle sighted correctly and then if you remount the scope all you have to do is check it with the leupold sighter.

Brad

www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLw8IFJMOMw

http://www.leupold.com/tactica...minated-boresighter/

I may be mistaken but I do not believe that any boresighters are that accuate. They get you in the ballpark for sure. I believe you have to shoot in a controlled way to be sure.

Granted. However, if you think that your scope is way off they may add some confidence. Also as stated above big bore usually are for short to medium range shots on big targets.

Brad

It depends on the individual gun to start with and I have seen some variance between them..

My 458 Lott would shoot a 3 inch group taking the scope off and on and averageing 5 groups shot that way..My 404 is even closer at an 1.8" average.

One thing that is very important and that is the tension, I would tighten the scopes as tight as reasonalbly possible with both screw slots either vertical or horizontal, either way as long as the tension is the same, every time you put it back on as it was when you sighted it in.....

Return to zero is critical to me, and I prefer they come back to almost the exact POI, most will only come within 3 to 4 inches..I shoot irons and use scopes as auxilerys sights, for instance I will put the scope on to shoot a Kudu out yonder while hunting buffalo, otherwise I hunt dangerous game with irons.

Bottom line is test your rifle before you go, so you know where you stand when the chips are down, this is not a guessing game.

I don't consider a 3 or 4 inch group acceptable as most claim, mostly those that have not had to shoot a buff up close in the 1 inch eyeball. That is when accuracy REALLY COUNTS.