I thought I should share my experience at the rifle range (EOHC) this last Friday.
Background details:
- sighting a TC Encore Pro Hunter in 375 H&H with a 4-12X40 scope.
- total weight of rifle and accessories (8 lb 4.5 oz)
- weight of scope (approx 17 oz as measured) ... Bushnell DOA 3200 Elite with AO
- barrel length.... 28"
- single piece aluminum base (unknown brand - came with the barrel) installed using locktite
- factory ammo 270 gr round nose (brand... will supply later on )
- medium rings (aluminum - might not be an alloy) .... unknown brand with hex screws (later found out they are Chinese made and marketed by Cabela's). These were used instead of a set of Burris Xtreme Tactical (high) - big mistake. I wanted to keep the scope as low as possible.
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The first shot fired was at the right elevation but 6 or 7" to the right. The following shots scattered all over the target. I knew it was not my shooting but could not figure out what could be wrong. After four or five rounds, I decided to check all the ring screws (including the one to secure the ring to the base) and found these to be very loose (the base screws to the barrel were later checked and found to be still very tight). I also noticed that the scope had moved forward approx. 0.35" as indicated by very noticeable marks on the scope.
I have been installing scopes on rifles for over 30 years and never had this happen to me before. The right amount of torque was used on the screws (I do have a torque gauge but did not use it here as over the years, I have acquired a pretty good feel about the right amount)
Based on this, I am assuming that the screws are not the problem but a problem of the rings not being able to hold the scope in place as indicated by the excessive marks on the scope.
I have a bunch of pictures to give you an idea of what happened and my solution for it.
I believe that this is a fine example of why you should not use cheap rings on any firearms. A first for me but one that I always will remember.
Please feel free to share similar experiences and any comments you might have.
Thanks,
Duke1
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Package as tested
Marks on scope from displacement due to recoil
More marks
Rings removed - some of the light color due to a light powder cause by the sliding
Burris Xtreme Tactical - original choice but thought they were a bit high
Brownell's ring alignment tool being used to check alignment
Final product still to be tested
00
Background details:
- sighting a TC Encore Pro Hunter in 375 H&H with a 4-12X40 scope.
- total weight of rifle and accessories (8 lb 4.5 oz)
- weight of scope (approx 17 oz as measured) ... Bushnell DOA 3200 Elite with AO
- barrel length.... 28"
- single piece aluminum base (unknown brand - came with the barrel) installed using locktite
- factory ammo 270 gr round nose (brand... will supply later on )
- medium rings (aluminum - might not be an alloy) .... unknown brand with hex screws (later found out they are Chinese made and marketed by Cabela's). These were used instead of a set of Burris Xtreme Tactical (high) - big mistake. I wanted to keep the scope as low as possible.
==================================================
The first shot fired was at the right elevation but 6 or 7" to the right. The following shots scattered all over the target. I knew it was not my shooting but could not figure out what could be wrong. After four or five rounds, I decided to check all the ring screws (including the one to secure the ring to the base) and found these to be very loose (the base screws to the barrel were later checked and found to be still very tight). I also noticed that the scope had moved forward approx. 0.35" as indicated by very noticeable marks on the scope.
I have been installing scopes on rifles for over 30 years and never had this happen to me before. The right amount of torque was used on the screws (I do have a torque gauge but did not use it here as over the years, I have acquired a pretty good feel about the right amount)
Based on this, I am assuming that the screws are not the problem but a problem of the rings not being able to hold the scope in place as indicated by the excessive marks on the scope.
I have a bunch of pictures to give you an idea of what happened and my solution for it.
I believe that this is a fine example of why you should not use cheap rings on any firearms. A first for me but one that I always will remember.
Please feel free to share similar experiences and any comments you might have.
Thanks,
Duke1
====================================================
Package as tested
Marks on scope from displacement due to recoil
More marks
Rings removed - some of the light color due to a light powder cause by the sliding
Burris Xtreme Tactical - original choice but thought they were a bit high
Brownell's ring alignment tool being used to check alignment
Final product still to be tested
00
