Thought I would drop this experience in here.
I have a 308 savage. With an Athlon Argos scope. The rifle was slightly used when I got it. I checked the scope and rifle and made sure it was solid but did not disassemble.
About 400 rounds later....
My recorded dope had never matched the Ballistic Arc nor 4doff. And I had issues hitting further steel targets regularly. To make things more confusing, I chronographed my ammo from the rifle and that confirmed that the ballsistic solver was likely right. Ammo was consistent with low 20 SD Odd.
But my zero was always solid, but I Thought my groups seemed large.
I chalked all this up to being rusty, but as I got more rounds down my wobble was gone and my press was solid and I was getting good holds and seeing impacts. Something seemed off and odd as I felt good but the rounds seems to be more flyers than anything.
Until one day the zero check was off by .2 mil.
I took the rifle completely apart and inspected every component. I found the base had rub marks and the front screw was loose.
I reassembled per OEM specs and today shot 100 rounds in dot drills with most of the groups within the dots and touching. i then worked on .3 mil targets out to 600 yards with a 15 mph wind with mostly hits. In fact it was my best day by far. If I missed I KNEW it was me or the wind changed. Better yet, my actual dope matched ballistic arc all the way out to 600 yards.
Lesson learned. Pic attached of base showing rub marks.
I have a 308 savage. With an Athlon Argos scope. The rifle was slightly used when I got it. I checked the scope and rifle and made sure it was solid but did not disassemble.
About 400 rounds later....
My recorded dope had never matched the Ballistic Arc nor 4doff. And I had issues hitting further steel targets regularly. To make things more confusing, I chronographed my ammo from the rifle and that confirmed that the ballsistic solver was likely right. Ammo was consistent with low 20 SD Odd.
But my zero was always solid, but I Thought my groups seemed large.
I chalked all this up to being rusty, but as I got more rounds down my wobble was gone and my press was solid and I was getting good holds and seeing impacts. Something seemed off and odd as I felt good but the rounds seems to be more flyers than anything.
Until one day the zero check was off by .2 mil.
I took the rifle completely apart and inspected every component. I found the base had rub marks and the front screw was loose.
I reassembled per OEM specs and today shot 100 rounds in dot drills with most of the groups within the dots and touching. i then worked on .3 mil targets out to 600 yards with a 15 mph wind with mostly hits. In fact it was my best day by far. If I missed I KNEW it was me or the wind changed. Better yet, my actual dope matched ballistic arc all the way out to 600 yards.
Lesson learned. Pic attached of base showing rub marks.
