Yeah I know I am a newb to this. This is my first rifle and my first adventure into optics. First off I am using a cheap scope which I know...don't cheap out on optics but it is what I currently have. I hope to upgrade in the future.
The scope is a crappy one...Tasco I believe, it doesn't say on it and I can't remember the brand...it may even be a knockoff. The rings were included (I know...

) but honestly the scope seems not bad and solid.
The mount was installed using Loctite on all screws. Scope and ring screws were tight but not loctited
I have fired maybe 80 rounds through the gun since I got it. After about 20 I greased it up
I was resting on the bipod not leaning into it or against it
Yeah not the best I know. But I couldn't even adjust it left enough to get it on paper from 25 yards. The scope is pointing a different direction than the barrel.
I think I am going to try the dowel trick to see what things are lined up and what aren't.
As I said, I am new to rifles (well, centerfire...I have a 10/22 with a scope with I installed and sighted in the same way I was doing this) and I obviously need some help and probably knowledge