Scopes Rotating in Case

T

thejeff

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Hi,

I've got a Leupold VX-III and a Bushnell Elite 4200 mounted on a Rem M700 and Savage 12 VLP, respectively. Both scopes are mounted on the rifles using Leupold bases and rings.

If I leave both rifles in my double hard case with the latches closed, both scopes will be rotated about 1/8th of a turn to the right. If they're only in there for a short time (say the 10 minute drive to the range) they're ok. If I leave them overnight, they've moved. :(

What can I do to stop this from happening? It's extremely frustrating when an awesome range session basically gets wasted by the scope moving.

The bases are secure, and I think I've done the rings up to a proper torque. The scopes are certainly tight enough that I can't rotate them by hand. And they don't move when I'm shooting.

Thanks,
J
 
The scopes are in geo-syncrous orbit with the earth, as the earth rotates 1/8th of it's orbit the scopes rotate the same. It also explains why you can hit a target far away, with the earth moving while the bullet is in flight. These are little understood facts that most take for granted, I, however take great interest in the sciences.
 
ben hunchak said:
The scopes are in geo-syncrous orbit with the earth, as the earth rotates 1/8th of it's orbit the scopes rotate the same. It also explains why you can hit a target far away, with the earth moving while the bullet is in flight. These are little understood facts that most take for granted, I, however take great interest in the sciences.
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:agree: ...... It's as if you took the words right out of my mouth.


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thejeff said:
If I leave both rifles in my double hard case with the latches closed, both scopes will be rotated about 1/8th of a turn to the right. If they're only in there for a short time (say the 10 minute drive to the range) they're ok. If I leave them overnight, they've moved. :(
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WOW, come on let's cut the newbie some slack here.

thejeff,
Your rings are not tight enough. Lap the lower rings or take it to a gunsmith who can then have him tighten the scope rings to the proper torque.
 
I don't get it. The rings are tight enough that he can't turn the scope by hand, they don't shift on firing, but they both rotate while sitting in the gun case?

Sure would like to hear the answer when you determine what's wrong. Are you sure they are rotating, any chance its possible you set them not straight? How did you determine the torque for the screws? What's the magic that's occuring in that closed case?
 
Well there is the chance that what looks plumbed at home in the basement isn't so level at the range. If the rings are not tight there is a good chance that the scope is moving when fired, just it takes more than a few rounds to find this out. If the groups don't wander the rings are tight enough.
 
What maynard said.

Unless you have some way of determining that the scope is completely level, I would think that your eye is playing tricks on you. Perhaps it looks level, and when you look through it after giving your eye a rest overnight it doesn't look so level anymore. Basically the same thing that happens if a right handed shooter mounts a scope using his "eye" to determine what level is, then a left handed shooter looks through the scope, most times the left handed guy will say WTF, who mounted your scope sideways??!!
 
heiko said:
What maynard said.

Unless you have some way of determining that the scope is completely level, I would think that your eye is playing tricks on you. Perhaps it looks level, and when you look through it after giving your eye a rest overnight it doesn't look so level anymore. Basically the same thing that happens if a right handed shooter mounts a scope using his "eye" to determine what level is, then a left handed shooter looks through the scope, most times the left handed guy will say WTF, who mounted your scope sideways??!!
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Level the action in a gun vise while aiming it at a plumb string and set the scope reticle to align with the string. Then you know its level. I'm suspicious about the way it happens to both guns.
 
maynard said:
Well there is the chance that what looks plumbed at home in the basement isn't so level at the range. If the rings are not tight there is a good chance that the scope is moving when fired, just it takes more than a few rounds to find this out. If the groups don't wander the rings are tight enough.
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Hi, thanks for the replies. I think I'm getting it plumbed pretty well in the basement - I put a level across the lower rings to ensure the rifle's level, then put the scope in and put the level on the top turret cover. Basically, I notice the difference from when I level it to when it's off kilter.

It's not road vibration - my case doubled as my gun safe (trigger locked too) and the scopes would move when locked in the tight case. I'll look into lapping the rings and verifying the torque. Is there anything you would recommend putting between the rings and the scope? I met a guy at the range once who said he used masking tape. I'd expect it to leave sticky goo on my scope the second the rings got warm in the sun, but at this point I'm willing to try just about anything.
 
thejeff, seriously though, I don't think it's rocket science. If the scope rotates in the rings, then the rings are not gripping the tube properly. Some ring manufacturer include a bit of tape with their rings, but that is only to create drag and stop the scope from rotating when you tighten the rings. I wouldn't recommend using masking tape, you're right it'll get gooey. You mentioned that you cannot rotate the scope by hand, then later the scope has rotated. Are your ring screws stretched perhaps, are the female threads in good shape? Check the rings very closely for cracks. Good luck.
 
Put the rifles in the case in opposite direction. That should make the scopes turn in the opposite direction if your thoughts on the scopes turning in the case were true. It's not going to happen though.
 
It is highly unlikely your scope doesn't move when fired but does in the case. Your rings are either not griping the scope tight enough or the reticle is moving within the body of the scope. Mark your ring/scope relationship with a pencil line and see if they still line up after use and transport. DO NOT use masking tape or anything else between your scope and rings as this is not required and will probably make things worde. Phil.
 
Hi,
Stupid work is getting in the way of important stuff, so I haven't had a chance to reset the scope on the 700 (which is way out of whack) and try again.
 
Thanks guys, I had a good laugh at this thread :D.

thejeff, your kidding right :confused:? Jeezus, I hope you are... If you are not kidding, let someone else mount your scopes for you. I'm serious :eek:
 
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