Durable scope advice

[Ac04]

I have a gen 1 Vortex viper on my 7 mag, When it’s on it shoots well but at some point during my hunting I knocked it off zero, I’m assuming it was when i crashed my bike when it was on but I ended up shooting at a buck 6 times and missing and figuring out it was off by a good bit. This isn’t the first time this season where i’ve had to double check zero on it and I’m looking for some honest opinions, whether it’s just me and some carelessness or If the scope itself is the problem, has anyone else had any issues with this particular scope or am I just reckless with it? Any other recommendations as far as scopes that you guys have had good luck with holding zero through bumps and clumsiness? Is there any other recommendations as far as things i can do to help it out?

[frazierw]

If I crash on my bike with my gun, regardless of what scope I have, I would check 0 to make sure.

[Mtnwalker]

There's been a bunch of drop testing done over on RS and the results are pretty eye opening. A bike crash could knock most any scope but yours is certainly more prone than some others

https://rokslide.com/forums/forums/rifle-scope-field-evaluations.133/
https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/drop-test-results-quick-reference-pdf.387544/

[Stein]

 

[bowman]

Rokslide has a ton of info about this on there. Your rifle is a complete system. Not just the scope to worry about being off. Could be a mounting problem as well.

[MADMAX]

If I crash on my bike with my gun, regardless of what scope I have, I would check 0 to make sure.

100%

[Ac04]

Rokslide has a ton of info about this on there. Your rifle is a complete system. Not just the scope to worry about being off. Could be a mounting problem as well.

What else should I be looking at as far as my system goes? I mounted it myself for the first time earlier this year, I spent a lot of time researching it, I made sure to degrease and used blue locktite on my rings and bases and they’re still tight, anything else that’s screaming at you that I should check? I’m shooting a tikka with hawken hybrid rings with the dovetail so they’re directly on my rifle.

[MADMAX]

Have you been to the range yet ?

I’d basically remount everything

Check ring screws
Check bases
Check scope alignment in rings
Bore sight
Shoot it

[Sneaky]

With that setup its most likely something broken inside the scope. Time to move on. Go with SWFA, maven rs 1.2, any nightforce. Sorry you missed your buck, good on you for addressing it.

[pickardjw]

The TLDR on Rokslide "Drop Test Approved" Scopes is:

SWFA SS (6x, 10x, 3-9, 3-15)
Nightforce (any model)
Trijicon Huron, Credo, Tenmile
Maven RS1.2 (current favorite for most)

As others mentioned, there are other factors that could contribute to zero loss than just the scope. I've been following the same guy's scope mounting method among other things (action screws degreased and torqued to min. 50 in-lbs on a Tikka). The thread is a little outdated, most guys over there are using paint pen instead of Loctite 242 now due to some curing issues. But the process and torque values are still pretty accurate. Under 17 in-lbs on the scope rings is asking for slippage.

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/scope-mounting-to-maintain-zero.78482/

None of this guarantees your rifle won't lose zero from a relatively minor impact. Each rifle system needs to be tested, but it's good data for reference.

I'd still check zero after a fall from a bike.

[Ac04]

With that setup its most likely something broken inside the scope. Time to move on. Go with SWFA, maven rs 1.2, any nightforce. Sorry you missed your buck, good on you for addressing it.

I’m not 100% sure it’s something in the scope, my cousin and I both shot our does for second deer with my rifle, at longer ranges than the buck I was shooting at, it potentially could be and i’m not going to scratch that idea but again not so sure it’s broken

[Ac04]

The TLDR on Rokslide "Drop Test Approved" Scopes is:

SWFA SS (6x, 10x, 3-9, 3-15)
Nightforce (any model)
Trijicon Huron, Credo, Tenmile
Maven RS1.2 (current favorite for most)

As others mentioned, there are other factors that could contribute to zero loss than just the scope. I've been following the same guy's scope mounting method among other things (action screws degreased and torqued to min. 50 in-lbs on a Tikka). The thread is a little outdated, most guys over there are using paint pen instead of Loctite 242 now due to some curing issues. But the process and torque values are still pretty accurate. Under 17 in-lbs on the scope rings is asking for slippage.

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/scope-mounting-to-maintain-zero.78482/

None of this guarantees your rifle won't lose zero from a relatively minor impact. Each rifle system needs to be tested, but it's good data for reference.

I'd still check zero after a fall from a bike.

Yeah i’m thinking i’ll upgrade, was seriously considering the maven and wish i went with it in hindsight, my action screws are right around that mark, and I torqued all my ring screws to the spec that hawken provided. I appreciate you linking that rs thread, i’ll probably just triple check and Redo what i have since it’s going to the range again.

[HereDuckyDucky]

I prefer NightForce for this exact reason. There are no guarantees, but it gives me the best chance of staying on in the event of a drop or impact. Plus, they are REALLY nice scopes.

RW

[Fidelk]

I tripped while hunting near Kettle Falls (Kelly Hill) and went ass over tea kettle. I sat down and saw green vegetation compressed onto my Burris 3-9x40 Fullfield scope (cheap). Then I noticed movement and spotted a buck about 200 yards away. Bang. Get out the tag. My buddy has the same scope and  they both hold zero year after year.

[pickardjw]

The TLDR on Rokslide "Drop Test Approved" Scopes is:

SWFA SS (6x, 10x, 3-9, 3-15)
Nightforce (any model)
Trijicon Huron, Credo, Tenmile
Maven RS1.2 (current favorite for most)

As others mentioned, there are other factors that could contribute to zero loss than just the scope. I've been following the same guy's scope mounting method among other things (action screws degreased and torqued to min. 50 in-lbs on a Tikka). The thread is a little outdated, most guys over there are using paint pen instead of Loctite 242 now due to some curing issues. But the process and torque values are still pretty accurate. Under 17 in-lbs on the scope rings is asking for slippage.

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/scope-mounting-to-maintain-zero.78482/

None of this guarantees your rifle won't lose zero from a relatively minor impact. Each rifle system needs to be tested, but it's good data for reference.

I'd still check zero after a fall from a bike.

Yeah i’m thinking i’ll upgrade, was seriously considering the maven and wish i went with it in hindsight, my action screws are right around that mark, and I torqued all my ring screws to the spec that hawken provided. I appreciate you linking that rs thread, i’ll probably just triple check and Redo what i have since it’s going to the range again.

If you want to check out an RS1.2 before buying shoot me a PM. Not sure where you’re at but I’m in Tacoma, headed over to eburg/yakima areas for at least one day this weekend.

Also have a SWFA 3-9 not currently mounted.