How to diagnose a scope problem? - 05/07/20
I have a nice old Sako L579 .308 that has been delivering poor accuracy lately. Groups just aren't what I am accustomed to. I'm not an accomplished precision target shooter, but it was normally capable of 1-1.5" 5 shot groups at 100 yards with most any ammo. Now about 4"-6" groups and no pattern to what it "likes". The rifle is properly pillar & epoxy bedded. Crown looks good. Checked the action screws and scope mount screws for proper torque. Cleaned the barrel properly, no better.
I replaced the Zeiss Conquest HD5 2-10x42 scope in the original Sako windage adjustable QD ringmounts with a S&B straight 6x in Optilock mounts, and group size seems back to acceptable size right away with a couple loads that I tried.
So it seems like a scope problem. But the internal workings of a scope are a mystery to me, and where I live, sending a scope back to the distributor for service is neither quick or easy, and is seldom inexpensive.
Any suggestions how I go about proving conclusively that something in the scope has rattled loose internally? Or do I have all the proof I'm likely to get? Your thoughts?
I replaced the Zeiss Conquest HD5 2-10x42 scope in the original Sako windage adjustable QD ringmounts with a S&B straight 6x in Optilock mounts, and group size seems back to acceptable size right away with a couple loads that I tried.
So it seems like a scope problem. But the internal workings of a scope are a mystery to me, and where I live, sending a scope back to the distributor for service is neither quick or easy, and is seldom inexpensive.
Any suggestions how I go about proving conclusively that something in the scope has rattled loose internally? Or do I have all the proof I'm likely to get? Your thoughts?