millerkiller77
Well-known member
Just that. What's the absolute most reliable way to pinpoint scope failure as the culprit for accuracy issues? Box test?
I've got a 300wsm on a M70 action, 26" proof sendero barrel. Less than 70 rounds through the rifle. I checked the action screws, base, scope mount, barrel clearance, all good. Bore scope shows nothing remarkable in the barrel, no baffle strikes, the chamber is a little rough, but no problems cycling ammunition or spent cases. Spent brass looks normal, no indications of problems with the brass.
New factory loaded Norma 180 gr ammo , all from the same lot.
Scope is a Leupold VX-6HD, purchased new and only mounted to this rifle. The scope has already been warranty serviced by Leupold once after less than 30 rounds for a completely seperate issue and all the internals passed inspection. New mounts, remount the scope and it's a shit show all over again.
Group one is after I've made rough adjustments just to get it on paper. Looks good and what I'd expect this rifle to shoot, I make my final adjustments and shoot group two. It's off by 3/4 moa for some reason, no big deal, I dial 3/4 left (elevation wasnt touched)and put the rifle on the rack to cool.
Group three has me scratching my head. I shoot six rounds , make the corrections on the windage (not elevation) and let the rifle cool again.
Group four goes from one extreme to the other, I dialed 1/2 moa left , let the rifle cool.
Group 5 is when I called it quits, at this point I'm so frustrated that there is no point in continuing.
I'm open to questions or suggestions about something I may have missed, but I'm leaning towards a defective scope at this point.
First pic is from my session yesterday, second is from Aug 2023 using the same scope and ammo before I sent it in for warranty. I was able to get four rounds before it started spraying the target like a shotgun, that ended up being a mounting issue causing the need for Leupold service.
I've got a 300wsm on a M70 action, 26" proof sendero barrel. Less than 70 rounds through the rifle. I checked the action screws, base, scope mount, barrel clearance, all good. Bore scope shows nothing remarkable in the barrel, no baffle strikes, the chamber is a little rough, but no problems cycling ammunition or spent cases. Spent brass looks normal, no indications of problems with the brass.
New factory loaded Norma 180 gr ammo , all from the same lot.
Scope is a Leupold VX-6HD, purchased new and only mounted to this rifle. The scope has already been warranty serviced by Leupold once after less than 30 rounds for a completely seperate issue and all the internals passed inspection. New mounts, remount the scope and it's a shit show all over again.
Group one is after I've made rough adjustments just to get it on paper. Looks good and what I'd expect this rifle to shoot, I make my final adjustments and shoot group two. It's off by 3/4 moa for some reason, no big deal, I dial 3/4 left (elevation wasnt touched)and put the rifle on the rack to cool.
Group three has me scratching my head. I shoot six rounds , make the corrections on the windage (not elevation) and let the rifle cool again.
Group four goes from one extreme to the other, I dialed 1/2 moa left , let the rifle cool.
Group 5 is when I called it quits, at this point I'm so frustrated that there is no point in continuing.
I'm open to questions or suggestions about something I may have missed, but I'm leaning towards a defective scope at this point.
First pic is from my session yesterday, second is from Aug 2023 using the same scope and ammo before I sent it in for warranty. I was able to get four rounds before it started spraying the target like a shotgun, that ended up being a mounting issue causing the need for Leupold service.