I bought a used leupold Varix2 4-12 x40 with a target dot ret, I can site it in and the next week it will shoot an inch off and I have to site it back in. Is it most likely the scope or could it be my gun or what. I try very hard not to jar it around very much.
You don`t say what type of rifle you have it on but if it`s wood stocked it could be the stock is warping or the action screws are loose. Also check the screws on both the rings and mounts, they can come loose causeing your scope to shift. If this doesn`t help try the scope on another rifle and see if the problem reoccures. If it is the scope send it back to the manufacture. Leupold has a life time warranty, no matter if you bought it new or used, and is very good about fixing a problem.
Posts: 2535 | Location: Michigan | Registered: 20 January 2001
I see that you posted below about the rifle acting up, but no mention of the scope in that post. So it could be either the scope or the rifle (or neither). Either put the scope on another rifle of known accuracy, or put a trusted scope on this rifle. One way or another, you should be able to narrow down which one is giving you trouble. You can then go from there to further diagnose the problem.
Whenever I buy a used scope made by one of the companies with a transferable lifetime warranty (Burris, Leupold), the scope goes right in a box and back to the manufacturer, before I've even mounted it or shot with it.
Why not? It's free, and they'll give it a thorough check-up, test the waterproofing, and re-charge it for nothing, zero, zilch. Imagine being able to do that with a used car. Who wouldn't take advantage of that deal?
Good luck, RSY
Posts: 785 | Location: Central Texas | Registered: 01 October 2001
Not trying to sound skeptical or pessimistic, but my experience has been more often than not is that someone gets rid of something most often because something is wrong with it rather than because they were just bored with it. Because of this I'm usually cautious about things that I cannot or am not willing to twiddle with myself if they don't work right.
Posts: 7786 | Location: Between 2 rivers, Middle USA | Registered: 19 August 2000
An inch is a small enough difference at 100yds to be accounted for solely by a different hold on the rifle. That is why the Army reccomends zeroing a rifle by getting up between each shot. Your group then becomes a composite of 3-5 different holds which allthough possibly less tight is a truer reflection of your POI.
You might also get delayed adjustment. This is where you make an adjustment which only completely takes effect after the recoil of one or two shots.
Then there is the difference between fouled and clean barrels, hot and cold barrels etc
Don't forget that a 10mph wind can cause a 0.5-1 inch 'shift' You need to eliminate some variables.
[This message has been edited by 1894 (edited 10-15-2001).]
Posts: 2258 | Location: Bristol, England | Registered: 24 April 2001
leupold scopes hold up very well i would first try it on another rifle make sure mounts fit proper and are tight . have two diff. people shoot it off a good rest. if it does not shoot as good as that rifle was with the scope you had on it then return it for repair more than likly it is ok.
I agree with 1894, if 1" is all the variation you get it could very well be bench style and that you are using a different holding style....that last nut behind the stock is many times the culprit...
Also the big belled scopes are often the source of change in POI as the bigger the bell the less sturdy the scope is... I See these failures in Africa and on my mule deer hunts every year....
Take the palm of your hand and whack a 40 MM or 50mm obj. sometime and recheck your zero, it might send a wake up call....For this reason I use 20MM obj. scopes, 1x4X or 3x or 1.5x5 Leupolds on all my hunting rifles...I use the others on varmint rifles, who cares if you miss a varmint?
