** URGENT ** Question Re: Scope Spinning ...
 

So I go out to the range a month ago. Sight in my .308 Savage bolt and 3X9 scope.

Hitting 3 within an inch at 100 yds consistently ... mounts to the gun - tight check.

Start loading up my gear for the weekend and shoulder my gun just for fun in the basement to look through the scope ...

The cross hairs are crooked!!!!

What???!!!???

I grab the scope and it spins within the rings ...

I get an allen wrench, make sure the horizontal hairs are horizontal and tighten it.

So here's my question, if the mount is tight to the gun and it was shooting accurate but the scope spins (with significant effort) ... once tightened ...

Can I assume accuracy?

I will of course put a few shells trough it but hate the thought of doing it during hunting time given I have been meticulous (except for checking the allen bolts on my scope) with this trip.

Any thoughts?

Northern

If it moves...it will not give consistent results.

tight
 

Its tight now so it is no longer moving and the rings to the gun were never loose - just the scope in the rings.

Re-sight it in.

If the scope was loose in the rings ......I would ask if you have the proper rings for the size of the scope tube ???

ok
 

No the scope and rings are appropriate ... I just dumbly didn't think to tighten the or check the allen screws that hold the top ring to the bottom ring.

The rings are fully solid to the gun.

Now everything is tight.

Just thinking that if the rings are tight to the gun that's the key thing ... but I am looking for some thoughts from the AO group.

Thanks.

Level kit, Locktite and a torque screwdriver. Learn the lesson, do it properly.

It might be close, but you most certainly will have to resight. It won't be a simple zero check.

You will need to verify the zero again, as it can move. I would be a little concerned about who mounted the scope and bases, and wonder what else they may not have tightened properly. Can you actually check all of the base screws without removing the rings? I use blue loctite on the base screws myself, but I don't use loctite on the ring screws, and I have never had any come loose.

Ya ... this is one of those "things".

I have hunted for over 30 years and pride myself with preperation and meticulous planning ... guns sighted in etc.

I over looked simple screw checking.

The good news is that this is my back up gun ... my primary gun is my .300 Savage which is my go to.

When there is a lull in hunting next week, I will throw up a target with the .308 and see if its true ... just wanted some opinions.

Thanks everyone ... I would never trust it with a shot now that it's been loose.

RE sight . Just sliding the scope or spinning it will throw it off. Good thing is you will likely be very close to your point of aim and will only take 15 min to Get back on target. ..... likely

Re sight, with new rings.
Is this a package rifle scope combo? If yes the ring quality is suspect at best. Go buy a new set of rings that are brand name, you won't regret it.