Frustrating range trips

heiner39

heiner39

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I was just at the range and this is the 3rd time this has happened to me in the past 3 trips to the range. I check the zero on my scope and it's on at 100. A bit of an issue because I zero my scope for 200. I make the adjustments and it seems fine...about 2" high which is where I want.

I go out to 200 and the first shot is fine...right where I would expect it vertically (horizontal was a wind issue today). My next 3 shots end up going low...like 3-4" low.

I go back to 100 to check my zero and it's back bang on at 100 or a small touch low. The zero seems to have fallen back to 100 as opposed to 2" high at 100. I checked all my mounts, rings, action screws etc and everything seems fine. Is this a scope issue? I'm using a Busnell Legend on my 30-06 right now. That'll change soon because I ordered a Leupold due to my fear that my scope is right pooched and I don't want to have equipment failure this fall when "the shot" presents itself.

I know I'm not the greatest shot out there but my 100 yard groups are usually around 1" or slightly over. These past few range trips left me scratching my head!

Could this be a heat issue...the last few times out to the range were fairly warm. I normally take my .22 and shoot it after 1 or 2 rounds with the '06. Perhaps I'm not letting it cool down enough between shots?

Any help is appreciated.
 
Did that...mounts, rings, action screws...all tight. I'm thinking either scope or heat in barrel.

I know I'm not the best shooter around...but I'm not that bad!
 
My guess is your scope is fine, but your point of impact is changing due to a warmer barrel, along with barrel fouling. You're sighting it with a cold, clean barrel and then shooting groups with a warm/hot, fouled barrel.

For a hunting rig, I'd say you want the POI adjusted for a cold barrel as the first shot will be the one that counts the most. I like to leave my barrels fouled for the season.
 
You could be pulling the point of aim down with your sling if you are shooting with your arm wrapped up in it. This happens sometimes depending on the gun and the stock.

Took me a while to figure that one out.
 
Haha...I am definitely saving my ammo until the Leupold comes in and I'll try leaving the barrel fouled. Thanks for the advice guys. If anyone else has any input please feel free to let me know!

Cheers!
 
Yep, get some glass on it, and dont clean it as mentioned all good points.

I have a 116 in a 300 wsm with a VX II on it and it holds MOA at 200 and 300 yards!

It does infact shoot better a bit fouled, and starts to act like a shooter after 10-15 round counts down the pipe.

Even though I wont be hunting this year with this gun I wont clean the barrel as its set prfect for a cold shot. I likely will not touch it for a while just a oil patch down the barrel, and than 1-2 cleaning shots into the bank before I take it hunting.

Hey I have a ruger you can try, lol it wont make you feel so bad about yours trust me!!!

Your gun will shoot, its something simple thats happening.

Regards
 
Last edited:
JasonYuke said:
Yep, get some glass on it, and dont clean it as mentioned all good points.

I have a 116 in a 300 wsm with a VX II on it and it holds MOA at 200 and 300 yards!

It does infact shoot better a bit fouled, and starts to act like a shooter after 10-15 round counts down the pipe.

Even though I wont be hunting this year with this gun I wont clean the barrel as its set prfect for a cold shot. I likely will not touch it for a while just a oil patch down the barrel, and than 1-2 cleaning shots into the bank before I take it hunting.

Hey I have a ruger you can try, lol it wont make you feel so bad about yours trust me!!!

Your gun will shoot, its something simple thats happening.

Regards
Click to expand...

I know it's a shooter...I bought it new last fall and used it to take a nice whitetail. I haven't had any issues with it until these past three range trips. Up until these past 3 range trips I would get 3 shot groups right around 1" or less. Now it's a guessing game. Can't wait to get that Leupold on it.
 
I have a Bushnell legend that I suspect is wonky. It is on a 22-250 that used to shoot good. I will have to swap it out to verify it but so far I am blaming the scope. Good glass for the money but the adjustment internals are probably the same as the Bannner $ range of scopes... crap.
 
its fine...what you should do is...

go for a quick jog pick up your rifle and fire at a target while your heart rate and breathing is still fast.... this will replicate that " holy-sh*t-what-a-huge buck-I-think-I'm-having-a-heart-attack-" factor in the field...you'll probably have to find some crown land to do that type of firearms training...

and if you hunt dear sitting still and don't enjoy the scenery you'll probably get discourage and start to feel negatively about your spot... in turn you'll probably start to move around too much and blow your chances... mother nature will try to push your buttons don't let her... but rather enjoy the suroundings without rubber necking ....next thing you know your in a trace/hipnotised and thats a good thing because all your doing then is becoming part of a tree, rock whatever background your hunting in, you'll have a sucessful hunt whether or not you shoot anything because you'll know you did everything right in terms of sitting there without moving for most of the hunt......
 
Best advice is don't doubt yourself and your rifle..Just because the scope has a brand name and new doesn't mean it can't screw up,either. A Leupold did that to me and my new rifle.Another scope and the first bang load for sighting in went one hole.
 
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