Shimming scope, or other fix?

[Boreal]

Howdy all,
I got my Kimber MA 280AI dipped and coated last year, and it looks great and performs well. My problem is that after getting cerakoted, I have run out of elevation adjustment to get the scope dialed in. I'm guessing the coating is thick enough to have altered how the rings sit on the rifle. These are Talley rings and before coating the rifle was dialed in to 300 y. I'm now hitting about 5" high at 100 and have run out of elevation adjustment while sighting in. So I'm thinking I need to shim the rings to raise the front end of the scope enough to get this dialed in again. Are there other fixes you recommend? I had custom knobs made for this scope/rifle/round combo so want to get this working!

 

[rayporter]

a shim will take the chance of bending the tube. however they generally do the job

get a set of burris signature rings with inserts and put a 20 thou insert in the front and the problem will go away plus you will never mark a scope ever again

 

[Justin Crossley]

It sounds like there is something wrong with your scope to me. There is no way I can figure the ceracoating is raising your front scope mount that much.

 

[Northwinds308]

It sounds like there is something wrong with your scope to me. There is no way I can figure the ceracoating is raising your front scope mount that much.

I had this on a Howa Alpine as well. Maxed out a Nightforce SHV. Tested the rings and scope on a different rifle, they were fine. Talley rings were fine. Weaver 2 piece base was no bueno. Turns out it was just the shape of the action and how it interacts with that base.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I had this on a Howa Alpine as well. Maxed out a Nightforce SHV. Tested the rings and scope on a different rifle, they were fine. Talley rings were fine. Weaver 2 piece base was no bueno. Turns out it was just the shape of the action and how it interacts with that base.

Are you saying your bases were for a different action? When I answered the OP's question, I was assuming the bases/rings are correct for the rifle.

 

[Northwinds308]

Are you saying your bases were for a different action? When I answered the OP's question, I was assuming the bases/rings are correct for the rifle.

No just sharing my experience. They're the right bases for the action but the way they interact with the action caused me to max out a scope trying to zero and it wasn't the scope or the rings.

 

[Justin Crossley]

No just sharing my experience. They're the right bases for the action but the way they interact with the action caused me to max out a scope trying to zero and it wasn't the scope or the rings.

That means something is built incorrectly. When you mount and zero a quality scope in quality rings and bases, you should be very close to the center of your adjustment range on your scope. That is, of course, assuming your action holes are drilled properly.

 

[joelbiltz]

Reverse your rings first. Are you sure you don’t have canted rings and or base?

 

[Cahunter805]

I agree with above. Something seems out of spec. Cerakote when applied properly isn’t more than about .001” thick.

 

[Northwinds308]

That means something is built incorrectly. When you mount and zero a quality scope in quality rings and bases, you should be very close to the center of your adjustment range on your scope. That is, of course, assuming your action holes are drilled properly.

I contacted Weaver and they said it was likely the action holes being out of spec. They aren't "backwards" as it's an uncanted base and they only fit on one way. I agree something is built incorrectly. I'm getting some work done on that rifle after the season anyways so it'll get sorted out then, I just don't want to change too much right before the season when I don't have time to mess around.

 

[Cahunter805]

I contacted Weaver and they said it was likely the action holes being out of spec. They aren't "backwards" as it's an uncanted base and they only fit on one way. I agree something is built incorrectly. I'm getting some work done on that rifle after the season anyways so it'll get sorted out then, I just don't want to change too much right before the season when I don't have time to mess around.

Most Howa actions use rem 700 bases. Any of them should fit. I’d try something other than weaver IMO.

 

[Boreal]

Reverse your rings first. Are you sure you don’t have canted rings and or base?

Thanks for all the help! I was flummoxed after seeing my shots so far out of whack. And this was the issue. When the rifle was put back together after being coated, I didn't bother to check the rings and just put my scope back on the rings and torqued up the screws. A simple thing, but valuable in terms of checking everything over. And the cost of a box of reloads.

 

[joelbiltz]

Thanks for all the help! I was flummoxed after seeing my shots so far out of whack. And this was the issue. When the rifle was put back together after being coated, I didn't bother to check the rings and just put my scope back on the rings and torqued up the screws. A simple thing, but valuable in terms of checking everything over. And the cost of a box of reloads.

Glad you figured it out.