Scope zero retention

[Deermanagement]

Just watched an old video (fieldsports), out after CWD where PC checked his zero on paper before stalking. Found it a few clicks out on windage so adjusted it. In all the years I've stalked, after initial zero, I've never had a rifle loose zero. Tikka or Sako, Swarozski steel tubes with steel mounts are probably the reason. Used a M590 for maybe 25 years, had it bounce off the back or the quad once, land barrel first like a javelin before falling to the admittedly soft ground, but also had the same rifle combination rattle down my oak staircase. In all those years using the same ammo, I never had to adjust zero even after the mishaps.

I think sometimes people feel the need to check, shoot it a little different from last time in terms of hold and trigger pull etc., and therefore end up adjusting zero. A good quality scope, mounts and rifle should take some abuse, so no need to check too often. I wonder how many times zero is adjusted today, and adjusted back to where it came from on the next "check"

 

[Selous]

I agree with you in some respects but also believe that stalkers should check zero regularly as well as practicing from simulated stalking positions

 

[Overlay]

Just watched an old video (fieldsports), out after CWD where PC checked his zero on paper before stalking. Found it a few clicks out on windage so adjusted it. In all the years I've stalked, after initial zero, I've never had a rifle loose zero. Tikka or Sako, Swarozski steel tubes with steel mounts are probably the reason. Used a M590 for maybe 25 years, had it bounce off the back or the quad once, land barrel first like a javelin before falling to the admittedly soft ground, but also had the same rifle combination rattle down my oak staircase. In all those years using the same ammo, I never had to adjust zero even after the mishaps.

I think sometimes people feel the need to check, shoot it a little different from last time in terms of hold and trigger pull etc., and therefore end up adjusting zero. A good quality scope, mounts and rifle should take some abuse, so no need to check too often. I wonder how many times zero is adjusted today, and adjusted back to where it came from on the next "check"

Yep. The reason I stick to Schmidt and bender and swaro
I’ve. Had a few bumps over the years falling over, sliding down a bank upside down etc etc, washing mud out of the lens the list just goes on

On checking the zero not the minutest movement, they do take some punishment and hard use, quality scopes really are worth the extra dollar when the chips are down

 

[bullet chucker]

Possible cause not having fitted to rifle using torque settings so not over tightened?

BC.

 

[Klenchblaize]

Just watched an old video (fieldsports), out after CWD where PC checked his zero on paper before stalking. Found it a few clicks out on windage so adjusted it. In all the years I've stalked, after initial zero, I've never had a rifle loose zero.

Perhaps he was using less than ideal scope rings.

K

 

[Smellydog]

What's done for the camera and what's real are worlds apart.
I often wonder if a zero check on site with the stalker present is to evaluate the guest!

Seasonal ambient temperature changes can adjust zero.
Not all rifles, optics and mounts are the same.

 

[Tazz]

Have Swaro glass on all my centerfires, I check zero once a year or if I have had a “Poor” miss, on checking it’s always just me not the zero!!!

 

[Namman]

Just watched an old video (fieldsports), out after CWD where PC checked his zero on paper before stalking. Found it a few clicks out on windage so adjusted it. In all the years I've stalked, after initial zero, I've never had a rifle loose zero. Tikka or Sako, Swarozski steel tubes with steel mounts are probably the reason. Used a M590 for maybe 25 years, had it bounce off the back or the quad once, land barrel first like a javelin before falling to the admittedly soft ground, but also had the same rifle combination rattle down my oak staircase. In all those years using the same ammo, I never had to adjust zero even after the mishaps.

I think sometimes people feel the need to check, shoot it a little different from last time in terms of hold and trigger pull etc., and therefore end up adjusting zero. A good quality scope, mounts and rifle should take some abuse, so no need to check too often. I wonder how many times zero is adjusted today, and adjusted back to where it came from on the next "check"

Just watched an old video (fieldsports), out after CWD where PC checked his zero on paper before stalking. Found it a few clicks out on windage so adjusted it. In all the years I've stalked, after initial zero, I've never had a rifle loose zero. Tikka or Sako, Swarozski steel tubes with steel mounts are probably the reason. Used a M590 for maybe 25 years, had it bounce off the back or the quad once, land barrel first like a javelin before falling to the admittedly soft ground, but also had the same rifle combination rattle down my oak staircase. In all those years using the same ammo, I never had to adjust zero even after the mishaps.

I think sometimes people feel the need to check, shoot it a little different from last time in terms of hold and trigger pull etc., and therefore end up adjusting zero. A good quality scope, mounts and rifle should take some abuse, so no need to check too often. I wonder how many times zero is adjusted today, and adjusted back to where it came from on the next "check"

Never had a scope alter zero after a bump.
Seasonal environmental changes with wooden stocks maybe but then only very minimal.
Rifles being bumped is all part of stalking !!

 

[User00040]

Just watched an old video (fieldsports), out after CWD where PC checked his zero on paper before stalking. Found it a few clicks out on windage so adjusted it. In all the years I've stalked, after initial zero, I've never had a rifle loose zero. Tikka or Sako, Swarozski steel tubes with steel mounts are probably the reason. Used a M590 for maybe 25 years, had it bounce off the back or the quad once, land barrel first like a javelin before falling to the admittedly soft ground, but also had the same rifle combination rattle down my oak staircase. In all those years using the same ammo, I never had to adjust zero even after the mishaps.

I think sometimes people feel the need to check, shoot it a little different from last time in terms of hold and trigger pull etc., and therefore end up adjusting zero. A good quality scope, mounts and rifle should take some abuse, so no need to check too often. I wonder how many times zero is adjusted today, and adjusted back to where it came from on the next "check"

Better safe than sorry.

Modern Swarovski riflescopes are not a good example of scopes with good zero retention.

You don't always get what you pay for. I'm 'lucky' enough to have had some of the most expensive rifle scopes issued out to me, and from that I can confidently say that I will never spend my own money on either Zeiss or Swarovski riflescopes.

Look at some proper testing before making an anecdotal reference about 'my rifle has never lost zero':



Ignorance is not bliss.

 

[norma 308]

Mate slipped last week with rifle on shoulder straight down onto scope !
A metallic tink was heard !
We were out in Scotland on our first outing doh ! All I had was a foil drink carton for target which was duly boffed at 100
Sako 30-06
Swarovski scope
Opti loks
Still bang on no change of zero result stalk on won’t get checked again unless such an accident happens or change of ammo

 

[Hook'N'Bullet]

Using a Vortex Razor LHT and Vortex Pro series mounts I was making my way to the tree stand and my sling broke while the gun was on my shoulder (unloaded thankfully). Gun hit the deck from shoulder height. Left and checked zero and it was still bang on.

 

[nun_hunter]

Never had a rifle shift zero due to mechanical fault. I've seen it with rifles that are new and took some time to settle in or with a change of ammo or at longer ranges with temperature changes

 

[kieran222]

I never check zero unless I have good reason to (heavy knock on the rifle/scope). You could check zero and still have a problem later when stalking.
Had about three instances of zero moving over many years and two were down to the mounts not tightened properly.

 

[trickie]

Dropped one of mine down the stairs in its bag, zero still ok, damm elevation turret snafued

 

[DVS1]

I once slipped arse over tit into a ditch full of water, rifle slung on back, managed to prevent too much of a knock to rifle but water did indeed ingress everywhere naturally!

Got home, stripped rifle down completely, out of chassis, scope mounts off, rail off, everything down to bare bones! It was painful to do!

Put it all back together to re zero and the POI was about 3 clicks right at 100m! That's not bad.

A combo of MDT chassis, Spuhr mount, S&B im sure helped to retain such consistency

I don't touch mine unless I miss a sitter these days

 

[Rory]

I once slipped arse over tit into a ditch full of water, rifle slung on back, managed to prevent too much of a knock to rifle but water did indeed ingress everywhere naturally!

Got home, stripped rifle down completely, out of chassis, scope mounts off, rail off, everything down to bare bones! It was painful to do!

Put it all back together to re zero and the POI was about 3 clicks right at 100m! That's not bad.

A combo of MDT chassis, Spuhr mount, S&B im sure helped to retain such consistency

It's moments like those though, when you think 'it's going to be alright, I bought good kit'

 

[Koenig]

Using a Vortex Razor LHT and Vortex Pro series mounts I was making my way to the tree stand and my sling broke while the gun was on my shoulder (unloaded thankfully). Gun hit the deck from shoulder height. Left and checked zero and it was still bang on.

Ouch!

 

[Koenig]

Always found that different clothing can throw zero off slightly with thick winter jackets making the biggest difference.

 

[VSS]

Interesting.
You go along to any DSC1 shooting test, and lots of supposedly experienced stalkers will be telling you that they knocked their scope that very morning while getting their rifle out of the cabinet, which is why they've just failed! Yet on this thread, lots of experienced stalkers are saying that their scopes have survived all manner of abuse without any loss of zero
Ain't life a funny thing?

 

[Mungo]

Interesting.
You go along to any DSC1 shooting test, and lots of supposedly experienced stalkers will be telling you that they knocked their scope that very morning while getting their rifle out of the cabinet, which is why they've just failed! Yet on this thread, lots of experienced stalkers are saying that their scopes have survived all manner of abuse without any loss of zero
Ain't life a funny thing?

Best one I’ve seen was someone claiming the dogs tail had hit the scope turret…