Shift in poi?

B

BUSHMASTER1

Guest
I have a savage tactical .308. Groups 1" very consistantly. This is my long range deer rifle and something strange is happening. Each time I shoot it, groups are very consistant. However when I get through, I clean with Butch's bore shine and put it in the safe. Next trip out, poi is 1" low every time. Four clicks up and back where I want it. This gun shoots good cold, clean, dirty or hot. Suspect my rings and bases. They are leupold style but offbrand. Does anyone know of a quality ring and base that will be high enough for a 56mm springfield armory on a heavy barrel?
 
The POI always shifts 1" low? It'd seem that before too long that you'd run out of elevation adjustment. Not trying to be a smart aleck just thinking. I can't see any reason that the bases and rings would cause the POI to shift only after the rifle had been cleaned and stored in the safe. Especially since it shoots consistant MOA groups.

Looking at an '08 Savage catalog it looks like your rifle might have one of the injection molded stocks that Savage still uses. Those stocks are flexi-flyers of the worst kind, and I'd suspect the stock and/or its bedding to be the problem more than the scope bases/rings. Those stocks can/will slowly bend or warp or whatever, and I can see how that could cause your problem. The only solution would be another stock or some serious heavy duty bedding and filling which will add significantly to the stock's weight. If your rifle has a McMillan stock, I'm stumped.
 
Larry Elliott said:
The POI always shifts 1" low? It'd seem that before too long that you'd run out of elevation adjustment.
That's in my mind too. It has happened the last 3 times. It wears a bedded Bell and Carlson stock. My dad suspects the scope, but why doesn't this occur when shooting. The only other thing I can think of, is that the scope is so large, it rests against the gun dividers in the safe. Do you think that a month or longer in this position could cause this. Kinda like an engine crankshaft left on the floor will bend from it's own weight. Graspin' at straws I know, but somethings happening.:confused:
Click to expand...
 
When my rifles go into the safe I make sure that their scopes aren't in hard contact with anything. If you look through the scope on your rifle while it's on a stable rest and have someone push lightly on the objective bell you'll see the crosshairs move. Having the weight of the rifle pushing against the objective bell could well be shoving it down a thousandth or so every time.

I'd figure out a way to store the rifle so that the scope wasn't contacting anything even if it meant modifying the safe somehow. Storing bolt action rifles muzzle down sometimes keeps the objective housings of long and/or large scopes from contacting anything. It also helps keep oil/whatever from seeping into the bedding too.

You well may have discovered the answer to your problem. :D
 
You do realize that a clean gun shoots to a different point of impact until the fouling has leveled out...right. How many shots are you firing until you shoot your 3-shot group?

Hovis
 
HovisKM said:
You do realize that a clean gun shoots to a different point of impact until the fouling has leveled out...right. How many shots are you firing until you shoot your 3-shot group?

Hovis
Click to expand...

Sorry Hovis, not this one. I can shoot a 10 shot group from cold clean and get 1" groups. Granted, this is the only gun I own that will do this. The barrel has the usual Savage chatter marks in the bore and I'm careful not to completely remove all of the copper.

Larry, I'll just remove the sunguard and see if that helps, Thanks.


Danny
 
Good gun then. Try a different scope and yes, leaving a rifle rest against a scope will effect POI, I know this the hard way. If you ever see a scope apart...it will scare you how fragile they seem. Another thing to check. Exercise the scope, click it to the limits while writing down how many your at now. Then center it and zero, then take it back to the limit and see if there is a difference where you ended up. Also, I've loaded for a lot of them tactical's, every one I was around would shoot better than an inch (never checked 10 shot groups though), I suspect the scope.

Hovis
 
Thanks Hovis, I have no idea how many rounds have been through this gun. I traded for the rifle and scope for some work on a car. Had to send the scope back to SA, as it wouldn't focus. Scope warrantied, replaced the choate stock and bedded. I have very little money in it. It will shoot some awesome 3 shot groups. I love the gun because it is so predictable while grouping. The group just never goes away. I'm gonna try changing the way I store it. Will also check the tracking as you suggested.
Thanks,
Danny
 
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