Rifle Scopes Could my scope be the problem?

[Helidriver]

I decided to get a rimfire (17 HMR) to shoot along side my boys. They don't like dad's "Big Guns". My groups have been terrible and inconsistent, well over 2 moa, some over 3. I have tried all makes and weights of ammo with the same results. Online reviews of the rifle show accuracy just under 1 moa. I thought it was the rifle but I'm starting to think it's my scope. It's a Cabela's Tactical Rimfire 6-18 with parallax adjustment. I noticed that the parallax is extreme and takes a lot of very fine adjustments to get rid of it. When I mean extreme I mean the cross hairs will jump 5 moa when doing a head check if not adjusted. Could this be my problem? I figure if I'm not 100% consistent with my cheek weld with a scope that will move the cross hairs 5moa if not adjusted could be causing the problem.

I don't have another 1" scope to fit to it and my boys shoot iron sights. I also don't want to put an expensive scope on a rimfire. Hell the gun was only $269.

Any ideas?

 

[TonyAngel]

Re: Could my scope be the problem?

Yes, it could be the scope. I'd let someone else shoot the rifle to verify.

I don't know why you wouldn't want to put a good scope on a rimfire. If anything, a rimfire needs it. I run a Vortex PST on my 10/22 and I'm glad that I got it.

 

[lazy21]

Re: Could my scope be the problem?

I'll sell you a USO

 

[Helidriver]

Re: Could my scope be the problem?

Good idea Toni.

I don't want to put money on a rimefire scope because I just punch holes in soda cans and paper with it. I guess if i want it to perform I might have to.

 

[wjwalker76]

Re: Could my scope be the problem?

Judging from your avatar (the eagle, globe, and anchor) you have spent time blazing at a 500 yard target with no scope. I say if you want to keep it inexpensive go back to the basics with iron sights. if yo wanna go with optics I also have a Vortex PST and have no regrets that it cost more than the rifle.

 

[Helidriver]

Re: Could my scope be the problem?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: S.W.A.T_Gunner</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Judging from your avatar (the eagle, globe, and anchor) you have spent time blazing at a 500 yard target with no scope. I say if you want to keep it inexpensive go back to the basics with iron sights. if yo wanna go with optics I also have a Vortex PST and have no regrets that it cost more than the rifle. </div></div>

Yep, spent my time behind iron sights and still like to on occasion. But I like my scoped rifles and I guess I will have to bite the bullet on this one.

 

[WKR]

Re: Could my scope be the problem?

If you can shoot 1 MOA or better with a different rifle I would say most likely the scope, I don't know what rifle you have but I have 3 ( Remington 597 & 2 marlin bolt actions ) and all three shoot 1" or better at 100 yds most of the time pretty much with any ammo and that's with inexpensive optics ( nitrex 1.5-5x? 32, leupold 2-7x32 and a old 4x bushnell ), That's with calm or no wind and I clean them approximately every 200 rds.

 

[CarlsonCustoms]

Re: Could my scope be the problem?

If you are looking for an inexpensive rimfire scope check out the Mueller line. the APV and APT are great scopes for rimfires. I run them on multiple rifles.