How well should i expect a scope to hold its zero

[Billy74]

I have a very basic 3x9 that came with my Ruger Axis (i believe Nikon) .  It always seems to be off by a few inches if i let it sit for 2 wks to a month give or take.  How long should i expect a decent scope to stay on target with normal use.  I don’t want to be sighting my rifle in everyday to feel confident but i couldn’t take this rifle out hunting and feel good.   I will be replacing it but on average how long should a good hunting rifle and optic stayed on target assuming its not dropped or otherwise missused? 


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[Bob33]

I have a very basic 3x9 that came with my Ruger Axis (i believe Nikon) .  It always seems to be off by a few inches if i let it sit for 2 wks to a month give or take.  How long should i expect a decent scope to stay on target with normal use.  I don’t want to be sighting my rifle in everyday to feel confident but i couldn’t take this rifle out hunting and feel good.   I will be replacing it but on average how long should a good hunting rifle and optic stayed on target assuming its not dropped or otherwise missused? 


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It should never lose its zero unless bumped. Something is probably loose.

[deerhunter_98520]

 

[dreadi]

Just the same as anything else. You get the quality you pay for. Not all scopes/optics are made to handle the firearm's recoil that they are mounted to.  Correct mounting pays huge dividends and if something is loose or not torqued properly...you'll have a POI that creeps around. My scopes/optics, all under $800, do not loose zero when bumped. Nor do they loose zero from sitting.

[Dan-o]

I have a very basic 3x9 that came with my Ruger Axis (i believe Nikon) .  It always seems to be off by a few inches if i let it sit for 2 wks to a month give or take.  How long should i expect a decent scope to stay on target with normal use.  I don’t want to be sighting my rifle in everyday to feel confident but i couldn’t take this rifle out hunting and feel good.   I will be replacing it but on average how long should a good hunting rifle and optic stayed on target assuming its not dropped or otherwise missused? 


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It should never lose its zero unless bumped. Something is probably loose.

 

[Alchase]

Agree, it should hold its zero.
I have a 30 year old Redfield Buckhorn 3x9x40 on a Ruger M77 MK II, 7MM, that was last zeroed in the early 90s. Still holds it's zero. And that is by no means a high quality scope.

[j_h_nimrod]

Savage Axis or Ruger American.

I am assuming a synthetic stock on either of those models?  If it happens to be a wood stock it could just be poorly bedded and getting pressure on the barrel as the wood swells or dries. Otherwise something loose or a bad scope.

[rodell]

I have a scope that hasn't moved zero since 1972 and sees tremendous recoil. All that and it is a Redfield (a real one)!

There's a video around that shows the torture test that Nikon uses. It's pretty impressive and explains why many of the true big bore shooters rely on them.

[Gobble]

Pretty much any of the Top Brand scopes (Leupold, Nikon, Older Redfield,) etc. esp the older ones should hold a zero, esp. if locktighted in place. A lot of the newer scopes are made in China or asia and don't hold a zero worth a crap, esp with the higher caliber recoils.

[buckfvr]

Ruger Axis ??    If it was a scope rifle package, Id take it down and remount to proper spec....its just moving around, not having been installed correctly.

[Stein]

Yeah, the combo pack scopes are pretty much worthless, I couldn't even make the one off my daughter's rifle work on a bb gun.  At a minimum, I would swap it for a Vortex Diamondback or the Leupold equivalent and you won't have that problem.

That said, if you clean it after every use, your first couple of shots may hit differently, but it sounds like that isn't what you are seeing.

[Lumpy Taters]

I had a old Simmons 3x9x40 on a 30-06 for over 20 years that kept its zero through all the torture a young man learning to hunt could dish out.  Replaced is with a new Redfield and that scope only lasted 2 seasons before it failed. I am currently running Nikon's on 4 different guns with a 7mm mag as the largest and I haven't had any problems with any of them.  I would check all the mounting hardware and be sure to use some name brand thread locker on the screws. If you are still having problems and think its the optics contact Nikon I hear their customer service is pretty good.