is it my scope or loads? 98% good, 2% fail @ 100 yards

[CamaroMan]

What he posted does not even make sense:

"when we shoot we start at 50 - nail a tight enough group and move out to 100 then finally 200.

Multiple trips - last time went GREAT, till the last two bullets, missed a parking space sign at 50 yards TWICE!"

His last two shots would have been at 200 yards, not at 50

Sorry - my last 2 shots were at 50 AFTER we had sighted 50, 100 and 200- was more just to empty the box, surprisingly I missed BOTH and had no more ammo left.. thats what worries me - is we can pop off 30-40 rounds and do pretty ok, then suddenly 2 will miss at 50! And we tape up holes after every 3 rounds with gorilla tape.

 

[CamaroMan]

Was it a clean target? Bullet through previous bullet hole?

We tape up after every 3 shots once weve analyzed and made micro adjustments on scopes.

 

[CamaroMan]

Was it a clean target? Bullet through previous bullet hole?

Holes are taped after every 3 shots.

 

[Dawg In Montana]

So you had the same issue in April, didn’t fix it, and now hunting season is coming up and you feel rushed? Didn’t you have the last 6 months to sort this out?

It is not a small error that is causing this…neck tension, etc. Something is off significantly, likely either the scope or the shooter.

 

[CamaroMan]

Are you capable of shooting that many 7mag rounds at a time?
What about action screws? Barrel in the dovetail like it should be?

Dunno what a magnum rated scope is. I know what a vortex is though. Wouldnt put a hell of alot of faith in that

not all scope are rated for magnum rounds - the power can shock the inside bits - thats just what ive been told. the 7 mag are pretty intense compared to a 243 or 270.

i shoot 3 at a time, walk to target and analyze and make micro adjustments.. then switch to wifes rifle - repeat. so maybe 3 shots every 20 mins, and we do a few a day when camping in the boonies so not all at once

 

[ResearchinStuff]

made micro adjustments on scopes

Chased your tail after small sample size noise. Make sure you're not a rev off on your turrets. Sounds like a scope issue

 

[CamaroMan]

Have you shot since your last two misses?




P

Nope - havent had chance to go back. Too busy trying to make my landlords rent each month. Trying to squeeze one trip in b4 season - missed a beauty of a buck at 100 yards by 4ft or more- couldnt believe it, sth is up and its popping up at the worst times, randomly.. like i said we can do good for 30-40 rounds, then suddenly 2 will be so off- makes no sense

 

[CamaroMan]

Ill check the mount screws for anything loose - iirc the wifes rifle seems more consistent. maybe i got a dud scope or sth. Was thinking of taking it back to cabellas but the last guy that "sighted" our rifles were off by 20+ clicks on both axis!!!! couldnt believe it.

Scope models are both vortex Diamondback i believe. Rifles were two new Tikka T3X both in 7 mag. Had already gone thru 2 boxes of factory ammo before i started loading so barrels were not brand new either.

I think the scope is randomly jumping or something but very hard to trace the issue -

 

[CamaroMan]

So you had the same issue in April, didn’t fix it, and now hunting season is coming up and you feel rushed? Didn’t you have the last 6 months to sort this out?

It is not a small error that is causing this…neck tension, etc. Something is off significantly, likely either the scope or the shooter.

have no idea how I would confirm the scope otherwise - not sure what you do for a living but im busting my rearend to make ends meet here in LA and filling my landladies pockets with rent each month - so sorry to disappoint but yes, i havent had time in 6 months to do much of anything but grind.

 

[CamaroMan]

Chased your tail after small sample size noise. Make sure you're not a rev off on your turrets. Sounds like a scope issue

We were just dialing in the scopes is all - we were not going in circles at all or chasing any tails. Groups ended up around 1-2" at 100 yards which is plenty for what we do. The suddenly as I fire off the last 2 rounds for fun at 50 both miss - thats whats freaking me out.

As a beginner reloader I thought perhaps that could be the issue but a few have noted its not - so now im leaning towards the scope and/or mount screw (which I torqued with an inch pound wrench)..

 

[madcalfe]

scope models are both vortex Diamondback i believe. Rifles were two new Tikka T3X both in 7 mag.

well theres the culprit

 

[5811]

have no idea how I would confirm the scope otherwise - not sure what you do for a living but im busting my rearend to make ends meet here in LA and filling my landladies pockets with rent each month - so sorry to disappoint but yes, i havent had time in 6 months to do much of anything but grind.

Vortex just did a youtube video on their warranty trouble shooting steps. For you to miss something by that far, something drastic has to be loose. If you can't feel any movement of the scope when mounted and everything is tight, take it off and shake it. If you hear anything at all, send it in.

The other easy test would be to swap scopes and check.

 

[idahodave]

Not sure who told you that diamondback scopes were “magnum rated”…but you should seek new counsel.

I’m betting heavily it’s your sub-par scope giving up the ghost.

Dave

 

[HornPorn]

Was thinking of taking it back to cabellas but the last guy that "sighted" our rifles were off by 20+ clicks on both axis!!!! couldnt believe it.

There should not be any reason for someone else to set up your scope for you. It is this simple:

At the range, using a flat surface, stabilize your rifle using a bipod and rear bag.

Take the bolt out, point your rifle at a large target about 25 yards away. Look through your rifle bore and adjust the rifle until you can see the target through the barrel. Do the best you can to center the target in the circle you see through your bore.

Take your ring caps off. Being careful not to move the rifle, and using your windage and elevation turrets, move the crosshairs to the bullseye of the target.

Load a round, aim at bullseye, and shoot one shot.

Get crosshairs settled on bullseye again.

Being careful not to move your rifle, use the windage and elevation turrets to move the crosshairs to the bullet hole.

Aim at bullseye, and shoot one shot again.

Get crosshairs settled on bullseye again.

Being careful not to move your rifle, use the windage and elevation turrets to move the crosshairs to the 2nd bullet hole.

Increase your distance, shoot your "groups", and adjust as needed using the same approach.

 

[intunegp]

have no idea how I would confirm the scope otherwise - not sure what you do for a living but im busting my rearend to make ends meet here in LA and filling my landladies pockets with rent each month - so sorry to disappoint but yes, i havent had time in 6 months to do much of anything but grind.

Nobody is busting your balls for working, but if you don't have time to sort this out before the hunt you need to use or borrow a proven rifle so you don't shoot a deer in the ass if and when this unknown significant shift in point of impact happens.

The methodology you've discussed so far is not really conducive to precision or accuracy and the way you speak about it just paints a certain picture...again, we're not bashing you for that, but you're not providing a ton of info nor are you able to go out and address it as we're talking about it so it's all a crap shoot.

We don't know what the issue is, you don't know what the issue is, you don't have time to go figure it out and correct it before your hunt, but we're still talking about your hunt. The Tikka needs to go back in the safe and you need to hunt with something that hits where you aim it every time.

 

[5811]

There should not be any reason for someone else to set up your scope for you. It is this simple:

At the range, using a flat surface, stabilize your rifle using a bipod and rear bag.

Take the bolt out, point your rifle at a large target about 25 yards away. Look through your rifle bore and adjust the rifle until you can see the target through the barrel. Do the best you can to center the target in the circle you see through your bore.

Take your ring caps off. Being careful not to move the rifle, and using your windage and elevation turrets, move the crosshairs to the bullseye of the target.

Load a round, aim at bullseye, and shoot one shot.

Get crosshairs settled on bullseye again.

Use the windage and elevation turrets to move the crosshairs to the bullet hole.

Shoot one shot again.

Now shoot your "groups" and move crosshairs again to bullet hole(s) as needed.

+1 on doing your own boresight. If you have a good system, you should basically have a 1-shot zero with confirmation group. I boresight mine at 100. Example below is probably as far off as I have ever been via boresight at 100. I've gotten within 0.2 a couple times. You just need a good stable rest and take your time using the barrel like a peep sight.



Also, if you dont have time to get your system sorted, you shouldn't have time to hunt. If you have time to hunt, take your first hunting day and go shoot instead. Taking a system that can miss an entire deer at 100 yards is not responsible or ethical.

 

[GSPHUNTER]

Did I miss something or is the same thing happening to two different rifles. yours and your wife's??????

 

[magtech]

I sighted in a diamondback tactical with a guy yesterday. Turn the dial 4 clicks same bullet impact. Shoot again then the scope moves and groups. Id take the scope off and replace it with something worthy of repeadtedness. Please dont buy cheap rings as well.

While the scope is off ensure your barrell is free floated properly, stock is seated properly (sometimes they bind up and arent perfectly together when it looks together), then torque the 2 action screws properly.

The major problem here is if hes got a cheap crap scope, what else did he cheap out on thats just screwing the pooch, to include reloading. Thats why guys are reccommending using good box ammo, not cheap. It will remove the reloading variable, for the time being.

As for being off 4ft at 100.. thats the shooter, or a fundamental process problem with shooting knowledge.

 

[browning2480]

Did I miss something or is the same thing happening to two different rifles. yours and your wife's??????

I caught that also and I believe by the wording he might be shooting hers also. Might be a common denominator there, unless I am just reading wrong.

 

[GSPHUNTER]

I sighted in a diamondback tactical with a guy yesterday. Turn the dial 4 clicks same bullet impact. Shoot again then the scope moves and groups. Id take the scope off and replace it with something worthy of repeadtedness. Please dont buy cheap rings as well.

While the scope is off ensure your barrell is free floated properly, stock is seated properly (sometimes they bind up and arent perfectly together when it looks together), then torque the 2 action screws properly.

The major problem here is if hes got a cheap crap scope, what else did he cheap out on thats just screwing the pooch, to include reloading. Thats why guys are reccommending using good box ammo, not cheap. It will remove the reloading variable, for the time being.

As for being off 4ft at 100.. thats the shooter, or a fundamental process problem with shooting knowledge.

My dad always told me, it's a poor mechanic who blames his tools. Not saying that is the case here, just something to think about.