OK so this is an enigma!

[FOTIS]

Went out and fired my 30-378 wby last week. With 112 gr of retumbo it yielded 3575 fps with the 168 Tipped TSX's and .6" at 100 yards. I was very pleased! So I set the scope at 1.5" high at 100 yards theorizing a 200 yard zero.
This week I made 4 more shells just to verify zero at 200 yards.
Get this!! The group ended up on the top left (border) of the wooden target 6 inches high and 3 inches left of previous adjustment.
Due to the bullet holes on the border of the target backer the group was either .9" at 200 yards or 1.4" at 200 yards. Can not be too sure. Either is acceptable but I am puzzled at where the group ended up after I made the adjustments at 100 yards.

Optics are composed of: 20 MOA picatinny style base and Leupold 4.5x14x40mm LR VX3 scope. Tube is 30mm and I had leupold put their M1 dials on it.

What gives?

 

[Guest]

Could be a bump to the scope, though I'd think you'd have known/noticed that. Or, it could be the scope letting go. Or, it could be some crazy wind drift, maybe. I'd check it again and see if it's holding.

Oh, and double check the rings/bases for being tight.

If none of that works, maybe a Zeiss?

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

I'd say check all the usual suspects, and check it again at 100 yards. Sounds like you have something mechanical going on with that gun.

 

[FOTIS]

After I made the 1.5" high at 100 yards adjustment I locked the turrets to the zero setting so I know they did not move!
I will check base and rings

 

[OU812]

Hate to say it POP but that is why I no longer own Leupold VX3 scopes. I went through several that would either not move then make big jumps or not move the amount they should. I hear the newest VX line up has dual erector springs to correct this problem as the older VX scopes only had 1 spring. Love Leupolds warrenty but got tired of needing to use it.

 

[FOTIS]

Not to be absolute but I never had tracking issues with leupies. I can not see myslef spending close to $2K for a Nightforce that weighs the same as my accumark.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Not to be absolute but I never had tracking issues with leupies. I can not see myslef spending close to $2K for a Nightforce that weighs the same as my accumark.

Same here. Never had a tracking issue with a Leupie.

 

[SJB358]

I have even had pretty decent luck with the older VXII's with the friction adjust. Those have always moved fairly good. The VXIII's have been good so far also.

Pop, maybe you were just scared of the rifle and it jumped on you a few times!!!!! Just kidding! Scotty

 

[FOTIS]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[OU812]

Not to be absolute but I never had tracking issues with leupies. I can not see myslef spending close to $2K for a Nightforce that weighs the same as my accumark.

Me either until the VX3. I hope it's not the scope because it sure gets to be a pain pulling them off, sending it back, resighting.

It does seem scopish that the rifle grouped well in a much different location after a seemingly small adjustment. Just some food for thought from what the past has shown me with Leupolds (VX3).

 

[FOTIS]

I will reshoot Mo or Tues. If tracking is again an issue then back it goes.

What brand do you use?

 

[R Flowers]

POP, I do not mean to be a smart ass here, but is it possible that when you "locked" the turrets to the new setting you were turning the adjustments without knowing it?

I have seen people do some weird things to scopes that they did not realize. I saw one guy take the adjustment covers off a new Leupold then shoot a group. He wanted to raise the point of impact a little so he reached up and started turning. He had forgotten that he had the covers off and was turning the adjustment round and round. He had to start all over with that one.

Just a thought, Leupolds are usually pretty reliable. I have a number of 4.5 X 14 LR Leupold's and have had NO problems with them.

 

[OU812]

I will reshoot Mo or Tues. If tracking is again an issue then back it goes.

What brand do you use?

Zeiss. Seems to hold up well on my 338 Lapua. Pop like I said I hope it's not the scope but don't count it out.

 

[FOTIS]

We will see Mon or Tues guys. If it is the scope no sweat we'll get her done. Using my 7mm mag this year. Ole' reliable.

 

[SJB358]

Is it a Weatherby? I don't recall you showing is that one! Are you going to be elk hunting with it? Scotty

 

[FOTIS]

Nope. Ole reliable is a (like new) Rem 700 FS. Vintage 1988...yes when remington products were worth something, unlike today. They were the first "synthetic stock models" but it just so happened that those "fiberglass synthetic stocks" were actually Brown precision kevlar type stocks!!!!!
Then Brown got wise and terminated the contract with them. Lightweight, strong as a mule and has shot 160 gr bullets at 3/4" at 300 yards!!!!
Love that 7mm rem mag!

 

[SJB358]

Holy smokes, that does sound like a good one! You will have to throw a picture of that one up there. Man, that is pretty accurate, 3/4" at 300 yards! You will have to pass me that load on the down low! The 7RM is a pretty cool round. Plus, it was my first big game cartridge, so I have a soft spot for it! Scotty

 

[JD338]

Fotis,

Try the box test with the Leupold. After zero, move up 2-3 MOA and shoot. Move right 1-2 MOA and shoot. Move down 4-6 MOA and shoot. Move left 4-6 MOA and shoot. Move up 4-6 MOA and shoot. Move right 2-3 MOA and your shot should be right with the first move. Move it back down 2-3 MOA and you should be back at zero. This checks for repeatability. If its not there, send it back to Leupold.

JD338

 

[FOTIS]

Fotis,

Try the box test with the Leupold. After zero, move up 2-3 MOA and shoot. Move right 1-2 MOA and shoot. Move down 4-6 MOA and shoot. Move left 4-6 MOA and shoot. Move up 4-6 MOA and shoot. Move right 2-3 MOA and your shot should be right with the first move. Move it back down 2-3 MOA and you should be back at zero. This checks for repeatability. If its not there, send it back to Leupold.

JD338

Dimitri:

that was in my plans!