Scope Problems - What To Do?

[mcdenney]

Not sure if this goes here but.... A little over a month ago I bought a new Leupold VARIX-II 4x12x50mm rifle scope through the mail (not ebay). I had not had time to get everything together and get to the range to test it on the gun until yesterday. Anyway, after finally getting it on the paper and adjusted I was shooting a descent 1" group but the point of impact was not where I wanted it to be. I wanted to be 2" high at 100yds and I was out of clicks. I have usually had good luck with this brand and was suprised but knew something was wrong some where. I checked rings and bases and thought about changing them out, shims, etc. but then finally realized the problem. This scope will move 70 continuous clicks up while the crosshairs will not move at all. After you get through those clicks it moves fine as it should. Obviously, I am not happy. My question is this, should I contact Leupold directly to get it fixed to go back to where it was ordered? I am kinda in a hurry in wanting to get this gun shooting well because I have plans to use in on the 26th. Thoughts?

[rarebreed]

you will probably have to send it to leopold, I have a friend that used to shoot 22 benchrest that told me that was fairly common to get leopolds that wouldn't repeat clicks with any consistance

[mcdenney]

I just got off the phone with tech support at Leuopold and they told me that what I described was somewhat common and would occur near the bottom or top end of the scope click adjustment. They said everything should be fine with what I have but that I needed to do one of two options. Adjust for optimal elevation by adjusting the bases or shim the back ring. Obviously, I have already shimmed the back ring and feel I have plenty of adjustments in the scope now to accomplish my task. However, I was and still am concerned and what I experienced. :(

[trust me]

What material did you use for your shim?

[killinmammals]

Leuplod is always good about working with you. If you aren't satified send it back, they should send you another. But if you get it working, then I wouldn't worry about it. Is it a gold or green ring?

[mcdenney]

Aluminum pop can, custom cut to fit.:D

Gold ring, Leupold.

[brasskeeper]

If it were me and and could get through deer season the way it is, I would then send it to Leuopold with a letter and tell them I wanted more adjustment.

But if your not happy with the scope and the company you bought it from will take it back, send it back and buy a different scope.

I dont like the shim material you are using. I would find somthing that would not damage the finish on the scope.

[KodiakJoe153]

I've used Leopolds for quite some time now and never had this problem. The main reason I use them is because of the warranty, all you have to do is send it back to them in the box and they will either fix or replace your scope at no cost. I've never heard of "Shimming" a scope to get it to line up better. Are you sure it's on there straight? What kind of rings and bases are you using? A friend and his dad got me into hunting and he swears by his Leopolds what caliber rifle did you put this scope on?

[mcdenney]

I have always had good success with Leupold, no complaints until now. The rings and bases I have are Burris. As for shim material, what would you suggest? As for the finish, the barrel is stainless steel and so are the rings and bases. The burris rings have already done a little lite scratching already, so a little aluminum material can't hurt it anymore than it already has been. Not much experience with burris rings and bases but they seem to have more edge to them than what I am used to with Leupold Rings and Bases (which are a little smoother on the edges).

I am going to talk with the folks I got it from and see what they will do. No luck in getting hold of someone yet. Plans were to use this gun in the near future but not sure about that now. Leupold said I could send it back and they would fix it if needed but that would take at least two weeks.:(

[trust me]

If you can get it zeroed, go ahead and use it, but I'd definitely either get the scope checked out, or use the Leupold bases and rings. That much objective and the high-rise bases change everything.

How much gap between the bottom of the scope objective and the barrel? Ideally, it is very slight, almost touching.

[mcdenney]

If you can get it zeroed, go ahead and use it, but I'd definitely either get the scope checked out, or use the Leupold bases and rings. That much objective and the high-rise bases change everything.

How much gap between the bottom of the scope objective and the barrel? Ideally, it is very slight, almost touching.

I am pretty confident I can get it zeroed the way I want it and it will probably be fine. However, I am concerned now with it over what I experienced. I don't like something like that at all.

I agree with you on the gap. Unfortunately this setup is approxiamately 1/4" or a little more off the barrel.

[quackrstackr]

I agree with you on the gap. Unfortunately this setup is approxiamately 1/4" or a little more off the barrel.

Sounds like lower profile bases would fix you right up.

[mcdenney]

Probably so, but I still do not like the fact that the scope's crosshairs do not move when I make an adjustment at some point during the scopes range. I might be put in a situation to make and adjustment on a particular load at some point and then how would I know if my clicks were working or not? I have decided I am going to do something with the scope one way or another. Thanks for all the feedback.

[quackrstackr]

Did you try tapping on the scope after you adjusted?

[brasskeeper]

Its going to be hard to mount a scope with a 50 mm lens lower to the barrel but if you have a 1/4" or more gap it may be possible. You will need to know the height of the rings you have. I would see if there is any rings/base onfo on Burris's website or give them a call.

[mcdenney]

Did you try tapping on the scope after you adjusted?

Yep, tried all the tricks I know. I took it to Bud's and it did what I described. They said the same thing, send it back as it should not do what it is doing. As for bases they did not have Burris bases at Bud's but I looked at some from Leupold and it "might be" possible to lower it a little, maybe. Bottomline, I think the scope is the issue here.

[quackrstackr]

they told me that what I described was somewhat common and would occur near the bottom or top end of the scope click adjustment.

Sort of makes you question their quality assurance process if they are knowingly shipping that many flawed scopes.

I'm like you, I would send that thing back in a heartbeat. I won't keep something I just paid good money for that is screwed up straight out of the box. You paid for a perfect, new scope. That's what you should get.

[KodiakJoe153]

If your looking for some shorter rings you might want to call sportsmans warehouse and see if they have any. But I would send the scope back to Leopold. Where did you order it through? I'll ask my friends dad and see what he would suggest he's the one I always get my advice from.

[mcdenney]

Its going to be hard to mount a scope with a 50 mm lens lower to the barrel but if you have a 1/4" or more gap it may be possible. You will need to know the height of the rings you have. I would see if there is any rings/base onfo on Burris's website or give them a call.

I just went and measured and I am only 1/8" off the barrel, not as bad as I thought. I also, think I might have found something that would cause me to be a little higher in the front. The front scope base is setting on the edge of the recoil lug and that could certainly put me out of sorts a little. However, that does not explain the reason the scope won't move.

[Auk1124]

Never had that problem with a Leupold, myself. If it were mine I'd send it in, I wouldn't trust it. Leupolds are too expensive to have 70 clicks' worth of slop in their adjustments - it would be on its way to the factory tomorrow and I'd be taking a different scope or rifle hunting. Just my opinion though, maybe it will hold together through deer season if you plan to wait.

[Tom Threetoes]

I've always liked the Burris rings but the last set I bought weren't machined true and had to be replaced. Burris makes a Signature series ring that has plastic self aligning inserts. These inserts can be had in different thicknesses to compensate for just such a problem as yours. Finding the offset inserts quickly could be a problem.

[mwezell]

I must ask... what kind of gun and are you sure the base is correct? Also if shimming, .010" is equal to approximately 10" at 100 yards. Ideally, you can center the crosshairs(close) and then shim accordingly. Be careful shimming too much with 2 peice bases. It puts the bind on the scope unless you use the burris signature rings that will self align. Or the burris signature ring that tom mentiond with offset bushings. If using 1pce base there won't be stress on the scope. Leupold will send you some shims I think for free but brass or aluminum should work fine as well.---Mike

[mcdenney]

I must ask... what kind of gun and are you sure the base is correct? Also if shimming, .010" is equal to approximately 10" at 100 yards. Ideally, you can center the crosshairs(close) and then shim accordingly. Be careful shimming too much with 2 peice bases. It puts the bind on the scope unless you use the burris signature rings that will self align. Or the burris signature ring that tom mentiond with offset bushings. If using 1pce base there won't be stress on the scope. Leupold will send you some shims I think for free but brass or aluminum should work fine as well.---Mike

Savage 10MLII is the gun. I think the front base might be setting just slightly on the recoil lug of the gun. The bases I have are Burris two peice bases. However, not sure if that should cause the scope not to move when clicked though on the low end of the scopes elevation. I don't think I have ever seen one like it. I plan to get it fixed but thought with shimming it I could get it to work through the season. I just got back from the range and the shim worked as it is setting at 2" high at 100 yards. Not happy with the scope but it will do for now.

[30WCF]

I just went and measured and I am only 1/8" off the barrel, not as bad as I thought. I also, think I might have found something that would cause me to be a little higher in the front. The front scope base is setting on the edge of the recoil lug and that could certainly put me out of sorts a little. However, that does not explain the reason the scope won't move.
Yes it does to me, if the scope tube is in a bind it could explain everything. I've always bought Leupold bases and rings and lap my scope rings and they never leave the gun, even if I trade scopes around.
Another solution is the Burris signature rings with the insert in them that pivots like a ball joint. I was skeptical at first but they do work on rifles. I tried them on a hard hitting handgun and they dont clamp tight enough to keep the scope from moving.
Edit, just to clarify, if your shimming your bases your changing the alignment of the rings to one another. If you aren't aligning and lapping the rings they wont clamp the scope evenly and bind it. The best scope in the world can only handle so much of that.

[30WCF]

I just read what gun you have it on and thats your problem. You should give it to me and I'll dispose of it for you.:D I want one of those baaaad.