problem with Leupold VX II

[skagitsteel]

so, but bought new rifle (tikka t-3 30-06) mounted it with a leupold VX II, went to the range in March sighted in at 200 yards. All of my shooting has been with Hornady superformance 165 grain SST. went out in the woods a few months later was 1.5" high at 140 yards, so still pretty much on.  I was bear hunting and banged the scope a few times, once really hard, next morning I see a bear and miss off a stump at 110 yards, was definitely a clean miss and I was  sure I was holding on the bear when I fired.  Went to the range the next day to discover I was 7" high and 5" right at 100 yards. (I understand I knocked the scope an threw it out of whack) I re-sighted in at 200 yards shot a 1.5" group (.75 MOA) then went out shot a bear at 110, and a blacktail closer, both 1 shot kills hit right where I was aiming...   

So here is where it get's wierd.

went out today after doing some ballistics calculations to practice some longer shots. started out at 100 yards to see where I was.  first group was 1/2" high and
left 1".  (I need to be 1.5" high to be centered on 200).  So I adjust 1 MOA up and 1 MOA right.  next group goes 1.5" and 1" right.  so I adjust 1 MOA left and finally get it to line up 1.5" high and reasonably centered.  So I moved out to a 400 yard target, according to my ballistics chart bullet would hit 19.8" low, so I adjusted 4.75 MOA up to compensate, 1st shot was way high and left (like 7" off), next two were within 2" of the target.  Next I go to 325 yards which is 9.5" drop and 2.75 MOA to correct it.   I shoot a 3 shot group 6" high and 3" left.  At this point I am frustrated  so I turn back to 0 to check it again at 100 yards, it shoots 3" high and 2" left.   
It seems to me the MOA turrets on my scope are not at all accurate, but is this to be expected from a starter scope?
The thing I don't get is when I turn it back to zero it doesn't shoot like it did, makes it hard to trust when it is not consistent.  Are these cheaper scopes designed just to zeroed in and be left alone?  Most of my hunting is 250 yards or less, but there is one spot that I frequent that may require a 400 yard shot and I would like to know that I can get it done if necessary. Any suggestions on a better scope that has accurate MOA turrets? or did I just end up with a defective scope?  Sorry for the rant any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Ridgeratt]

Not sure there is a defective Leupold. Any problems I have ever had send it to them and they make it right!!

[skagitsteel]

Not sure there is a defective Leupold. Any problems I have ever had send it to them and they make it right!!

thats good to hear, this would be a good time to send it in too...

[DHB]

Yup. Send it in with the details. Basically just what you typed....

[hillbilli]

if my 50$ bushnell doesn't track accurately I understand, but with a higher dollar scope like that, it should track accurately. You should be able to dial your drop for 600yds, then dial it back, and it should come back to the same point of impact. (and I'm convinced Leopould will make it right if it doesnt) I'm not a big fan of taking off the cover, counting clicks, then trying to remember to put it back in the field.. a lot that can go wrong there, including a 400 yd target that doesnt want to hang around long enough.. Options are to have a BDC (I believe Leopould will make you a BDC turrent to order for your load of choice for your scope, but I dont know what it costs) That would enable you to have 300, 400, etc right on the turrent, you just dial to the appropriate range, then spin back to your zero afterwords. Scopes can be bought with BDC dials on top, just make sure you get one thats close to the ballistics of your round- and just as important-test it at that range. Next option would be to get a  scope that has "ballistic plex" type of arrangement where you have drop marks on the verticle crosshair for 200, 300, the drop marks are matched to certain ballistics, and some, like my burris, have to be spun to max magnification for it to be accurate (not too bad because at that kind of range it doesn't hurt to shoot at 9x) Third option is to get a mil-dot scope (or have Leopould add Mil Dots to the scope you have), with most scopes you have to dial the scope to max power to use it, and you must learn what the dots represent at each range.. (1 mil=3.6" at 100yds, and 36" at 1000yds.. so it can be used to range targets (deer's body is 2 dots high, hes about 250yds. Deers body is 1 dot high he's about 500yds), it allows you to use the verticle dots for holdover- with my rifle 3/4 minute high hold at 300yds, 2.5 dots high (if I remember right) at 400,  they all work. just figure out what works for you and practice with it.. 

[thinkingman]

Your expectations are too high for the scope.
Send it in and get your replacement....they do hundreds of those every week.
Then sell it and buy a Nikon Monarch or Sightron...something with better glass and construction.

[skagitsteel]

I talked to Leupold, they said send it in with a description, 4 weeks for turnaround.  I am going to start there, if it doesn't perform to my expectations after that I will just sell it or keep it as a back up.  I like the idea of the holdover reticles.  I was looking today at the Redfield revenge reticle, reticle placement was very close to my ballistics.  I am not at a point in my hunting career where I need  be able to shoot 700 yards, but out to 400 or so and still be accurate would be nice

[Bofire]

 :)When you get it back make sure you mount it square and true to the bore. Sounds to me like it may have been mounted twisted. VXII is a good scope.
Carl

[bobcat]

:)When you get it back make sure you mount it square and true to the bore. Sounds to me like it may have been mounted twisted. VXII is a good scope.
Carl

Exactly what I was just going to say.

Chances are it's more likely due to the way it's mounted.

Did you lap your rings?

[Bob33]

Here is my suggestion: before you send it back to Leupold "shoot the square". This should tell you if the adjustments are not accurate.

From a bench at 100 yards, shoot a three shot group.  Adjust the scope six inches to the left and shoot another three shot group. Next, adjust the scope up six inches and shoot a three shot group. Adjust the scope six inches right and shoot a three shot group. Lastly, adjust the scope down six inches and shoot a final group. You should have a six inch square, with the last group being on top of the first group.  If the groups do not form a square, you can tell which adjustment is the culprit. If the last group is not on top of the first, the adjustments are not repeatable.

Here's an article describing the process: http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/how-to-shoot-the-square/

I generally do this with any new scope, or any time I suspect a scope problem.

[skagitsteel]

Here is my suggestion: before you send it back to Leupold "shoot the square". This should tell you if the adjustments are not accurate.

From a bench at 100 yards, shoot a three shot group.  Adjust the scope six inches to the left and shoot another three shot group. Next, adjust the scope up six inches and shoot a three shot group. Adjust the scope six inches right and shoot a three shot group. Lastly, adjust the scope down six inches and shoot a final group. You should have a six inch square, with the last group being on top of the first group.  If the groups do not form a square, you can tell which adjustment is the culprit. If the last group is not on top of the first, the adjustments are not repeatable.

Here's an article describing the process: http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/how-to-shoot-the-square/

I generally do this with any new scope, or any time I suspect a scope problem.

that's good advice, I will do that, also I talked to Leupold and I will probably change reticles that will give me holdover marks out to 500 yards.

I had my scope mounted at a gun shop, but I will check it before it goes back on
 :)When you get it back make sure you mount it square and true to the bore. Sounds to me like it may have been mounted twisted. VXII is a good scope.
Carl

[Elknut1]

Bob, very cool, thanks for sharing that info! I will give that a shot too in fine tuning a few setups! Thanks again!

  ElkNut1

[LEN]

A couple of tips. Always make the last turn on the scope against the return spring. If needed turn past then back against the spring. Also slap the scope a couple of times to make sure the cross hairs have seated. And center the scope when mounting for the least adjustment and may need to Lap rings. May need the Burris plastic inserts to center scope. ALL scopes when at the end of adjustment go screwy.

LEN

[Bofire]

  I have had gun shops mount scopes really well and really bad
Just a few weeks ago I had a store guy mount my scope on my new AR. He put the mount on backwards, the front of the mount pointed back. LOL
Carl

[jackelope]

I'd spend more time doing what Bob suggested than worry about the scope.