Need help mounting scope

[blacktailer]

I recently purchased a new Kimber 8400 300wsm.  I also bought a new Leupold vx-III 4.5-14x40.  I got lightweight one piece Talley mounts/rings made specifically for my rifle.  After laser boresighting and maximizing my scope as high as it can go, I am still 6-8 inches low at 25 feet.   I have several guns with Leupold scopes and have never had this problem.  Anyone out there have any advice thay can share?  I'd rather not get into shimming if possible.  Thanks in advance

[JoshT]

You shot it yet... if not, I'd do that first... I don't take much stock in what a laser bore-sighter (or any bore-sighter) has to say. The proof is on the paper.

If it's still way low... you'll have to either shim rear base, or grind a bit off the bottom of the front base. Or, you could go to a different set of mounts.

[blacktailer]

Hey there Josh.  I hear what you're saying regarding the laser boresighter.  I had a buddy of mine who always boresights his guns the old school way by removing the bolt and sighting down the bore.  He told me he was 100% sure I'd be wasting my time shooting it as is.  He said it would definately be way off.  Regarding the shimming or grinding:  I'm probably looking at things arse backwards but wouldn't shimming the rear mount cause it to shoot even lower than it already is?  thanks again

[JoshT]

Think about it the same way you would with open sights... as the range increases... you make the rear sight higher... which makes the rifle shoot higher. Same thing... by shimming the rear base you increase the distance from the rear of the scope to the bore... making the rifle shoot higher.

[JoshT]

By the way... I know exactly where that picture of you with the buck is... I spotted that buck a couple of times in late August... when we were hauling a bear off that mountain. Shoot me a PM... I'll tell you where it was!

[SSG Brower]

hey blacktailer i'd have to ditto everything said in this thread.  i just mounted a scope on a friend of mines .17HMR.  i told him about the laser sighting not being as acuurate but like most seeing is believing.  also when i was in the service and we got our new M-24's we had a hands on class for field mounting scopes.  and you know what i did with  my M-24. Panama 1989, 1st Gulf War, Bosnia, and Somalia.  enough said.

[littletoes]

Hopefully you put them M-24's to good use!

I know of a weapon's expert or two that might have spent some time over there with 'ya....er, nope they wasn't there.

Bore sight down the barrel and save some money.

[jeff100]

I'm on board with everyone suggesting bore sighting down through the barrel. 

Another trick you can use to get even closer is to use a brass cartridge (without the bullet of course) with the primer removed.  Put the cartridge in the chamber and sight thru the primer hole and down the barrel.  That will put you pretty darned close without firing a shot.  I can usually get in the bullseye in two or three shots this way.

Jeff