Need help to figure this out

E

ericrose

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
8   0   0
Location
Wheat Country
I was out with my buddy who just got a Savage .308 heavy barrel LEO version tactical rifle. He took his 20 moa rail plus scope off his old Savage rifle and bolted it to the new one. All screws on everything were torqued as per spec. We bore sighted it at 100 yards using a bench rest. The gun shot almost 3 feet to the right! He doesn't have enough windage adjustment to compensate, even if he wanted to, which he doesn't. Generally when I bore sight a rifle it shoots within 8 inches of where I want it to. The stock is totally free floating and the bedding looks good.

Any ideas??
 
Good one. Is the bore sighting still about where it was before shooting? Did something move under recoil?
Everything is tight of course, tube not bent, parallax ok?
 
Years ago I had the same problem. I measured the ring bases and as it turns out one side was significantly larger than the other. I turned the rings around and they appeared to be center. It was odd because the locking nut was on the ejection port side. However, it worked.
 
Thanks for the tips. Just to make sure I'm clear:

1. bore sighted down barrel on target set at 100 yards. Zeroed scope onto target once bull appeared centered in bore.
2. scope, rings and base worked perfectly on the rifle it was taken off.
3. everything is tight and torqued to spec.
4. after shots were taken rechecked bore sighting and it was still dead on.

"Rail drilled crooked in the receiver?" While I realize this can cause problems I think the bore sighting would have compensated for it. That and to be out 3 feet at 100 yards would I think present itself as a very noticeable alignment problem when the base was first screwed on. Looked very straight and true to us.


Thanks once again. Still looking for more suggestions.
 
So you are saying - BOTH looking down the bore AND looking through the scope indicates you will hit the target BUT the bullet lands 3ft in yonder space?

The bore and scope are seeing the same thing but the bullet lands somewhere else?

Jerry
 
That's what I am saying. I've never seen this happen quite like this before. I know the Savage's had a rep for miss aligned scope mounting holes but I was wondering if an improperly installed barrel would produce something this severe. I'm totally at a lose on this one. I suppose the barrel could be bent to the right. I didn't stop to check if the bore looked like a bit of an ellipse rather than truly round. Not sure if I would be able to tell with the naked eye anyway.

Model is a Savage 10TR, http://www.huntinggearguy.com/rifle-reviews/savage-10tr-leo-review/
 
Last edited:
Does he have a muzzle brake on? Buddy of mine has a 10TR and his brake was misaligned and the bullets were hitting it as they exited the muzzle, sent them way off left and low, while boresighting looking good.
 
ericrose said:
That's what I am saying. I've never seen this happen quite like this before. I know the Savage's had a rep for miss aligned scope mounting holes but I was wondering if an improperly installed barrel would produce something this severe. I'm totally at a lose on this one. I suppose the barrel could be bent to the right. I didn't stop to check if the bore looked like a bit of an ellipse rather than truly round. Not sure if I would be able to tell with the naked eye anyway.

Model is a Savage 10TR, http://www.huntinggearguy.com/rifle-reviews/savage-10tr-leo-review/
Click to expand...

Well that is interesting.... there are no shortage of factory rifles where the bore and scope are looking at vastly different parts of real estate. This will indicate a bent or poorly installed barrel and/or a receiver not drilled true.

One looks in one direction, the other in another... that makes sense and can be resolved.

BUT if both are actually seeing the same object, that is really weird. Check for burrs or anything that can hit the bullet when it leaves the bore.

Also, try moving the target closer and see what you got.

Then of course, there is the possibility that you are moving the rifle when going from bore to scope so you aren't looking at the same object.

Or moving the scope the wrong direction when trying to correct.

At short ranges, I have yet to meet a gun where the bore didn't indicate the general direction of the bullet.

Hope you can find an answer.

Jerry
 
Off-square muzzle or bad crown?? Does it group wherever it's hitting, or do they land completely erratically? What about if the chamber was cut crooked? If the bullet is hitting the lands crooked, maybe it sort of "dog-tracks" when it leaves the barrel?? Any keyholes, or all nice, round holes in the target?
 
Thanks once again for all the suggestions. Both I and my buddy shot the rifle from a bench rest. It groups rather well with factory ammo, just 3 feet to the right. We are both experienced competitive shooters so I think that eliminates us from the equation. I hope! But then again I did have coffee in the morning ;) It's got me buffaloed. I think my buddy is going to send it back. If they can figure it out I will let you know what the verdict is.
 
For S&G's, take the base, rings and scope off the action and reinstall. maybe try burris sig ZEE rings to eliminate any stress on the scope tube. Maybe that rail is bent to fit the receiver.

I helped a customer that had a POI shift massively from last year till now. All sorts of questions and concerns... ultimately, it was a cheap rail bending over time and changing POI on scope.

New quality rail properly bedded (obviously action was not true)... dead on impact... customer happy, happy.

BUT unless there is serious rifling problems, which are visible and would never group well with anything, really don't know how this would be possible... Love to hear what the reason is.

I am suspecting it is in the optic side.

Jerry
 
ericrose said:
Thanks once again for all the suggestions. Both I and my buddy shot the rifle from a bench rest. It groups rather well with factory ammo, just 3 feet to the right. We are both experienced competitive shooters so I think that eliminates us from the equation. I hope! But then again I did have coffee in the morning ;) It's got me buffaloed. I think my buddy is going to send it back. If they can figure it out I will let you know what the verdict is.
Click to expand...
I guess you skipped over post #12.
You are not the only one with this issue.
Mine has been back to the Savage repair depot since April.
Others have been waiting since last fall.
I hope whoever sold it to you will take it back but neither I nor others in the thread I provided a link to have been successful in doing that.
Best of luck.
 
Ok, one thing to consider is leupold windage adjustable bases. First, optically center scope cross hair by using a mirror. Then bore site as usual. Then once on paper, make sure the scope is in line with the rifle using the 100m plum bob method (ie insure vertical line at 100m. Adjust scope 6" up and group, then 12" low and group. if the group is not on the line then loosten the rings and turn the scope towards the group). I have seen several savage rifles with offset needed. You may want to get some burris zee rings with inserts as well in concert with the windage adjustable bases.

I would go the adjustable bases for the easiest quick and most economical route. My 2c.

I have heard of the odd instance of a bent barrel post install. Yes, it will be interesting to hear the results of the repair.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom