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Breaking News:  Rifle Marries Scope

First let’s start with basics, which is the most important factor of all.  Why pay hundreds and even thousands for a rifle and scope combo, then decide to be ‘frugal’ when is comes to bases and rings?  The transitionary parts that marry rifle to scope should be given the most attention for a successful union.

Here are a few facts to consider about rifles and scopes:

1.    Not all are created equal.  For some dumb reason the more expensive the scope the less windage and elevation adjustment you get.

2.    Manufacturers of firearms contract our to machine shops to build their guns for them, build not assemble.  Unfortunately the cheapest bid probably has built your rifle.  You know that cheap and quality control do not usually exist together.  This type of manufacturing will show up in the small details, like the receiver being drilled and tapped crooked or not in line.  Try setting the windage on that sick puppy.

3.    The bases and rings, most of the time made of aluminum, do not seem to be machined but rather ‘punched out’.  I have on many occasions reversed and flip flopped the front and back rings from Weaver to make a scope go from no clicks left on the windage adjustment to 75-80 clicks of center bore adjustment.  No tricks or shims just switching places.  Scary huh?

4.    Rings like bases are not perfect.  Are your front and rear rings in line with each other?  This is a critical step.  Yes, there are special tools that hone your rings to a symmetrical hole.  But I have seen honing done on a set of bad one inch rings that by the time they were ground a true circle they were at least 30 mm in diameter.

5.    What good are quality parts if they are installed wrong.  That’s right, yesterday they were in charge of french fries and today they run the scope department.  If at all possible watch while your investment is being put together.  Or, if you know a gunsmith you can trust, pay the $25 to $50 for the peace of mind.

6.    Please, please remember that a scope that has been bore sighted is only that, not zeroed!  I have had hunters argue with me the night before their hunt that I could bore sight their rifle to be within one inch at 100 yards.  Alas they failed to realize that I have no magic bore sighter.

7.    Trigger time, trigger time and more trigger time.  You are the only one who knows if the cross hairs are straight and the scope has the proper eye relief on all power settings.  You shoot at the range.  You shoot at the distance you want it zeroed.  If it is at 100, 200, or 300 yards, zero it at that distance

You can build a race car to almost perfection but it must have a skilled driver to win.  The same goes with your scoped rifle.  Master it so you can achieve that one shot humane harvest.  Then drop me a line and brag a little bit.

Gary McCraw
AZOD Shooting Editor
Shooting@azod.com