Scope Question.

[186 tmanbuckhunter]

Hey guys, on my Cooper M22 Montana Varminter 308, I have a Leupold VX-3 8.5-25x50mm. At 100 yards, I have the scope sighted in dead on, but when I go over 14x on the magnification the shots go all over the place, but on 14x I can literally keep 20 shots into a ragged hole all day long. When I take this gun and scope combo out to 200 yards, the bullet drops considerably, about 5-6" and this just doesn't seem right for a 308 win, but I do set the scope at 25x. Anyone have any idea as to what's going on? I have the parallax/focus adjusted correctly and everything, same with eye relief. Should I back the magnification down at 200 and see what that does? Really racking my brain over this... and I don't want to have to get rid of this expensive scope and go to a nightforce.

If it helps anything my load is as follows

168gr. Sierra Match King
41.5grs of IMR4895
Lapua Brass
CCI LR
OAL 2.800"

[Maudite]

Have you called Leupold? It sounds like some fault in the scope- if I read it correctly. Changing the magnification should not change group size- except in a small amount due to not being able to make as precise of aim due to not seeing the target in as great of detail with lower power magnification. The 5-6" drop doesn't seem to be too much to me- but group size opening up is a problem.

I would talk to Leupold technical people and see what they have to say.

M

[186 tmanbuckhunter]

I may do that. I'll put it this way, at 100 yards on 25x for 3 shots the best group size I can expect to get is 3 shots in about an inch and one half. Backed down to 14x and with the parallax adjusted, 6 shots are fired into a group that a nickel will cover at 100 yards.

Cooper has a Sub-MOA guarantee at 100 yards and this rifle stands up to that guarantee and more, so I know I'm doing my part, the rifle is doing it's part, and the load is doing it's part, so the only weak link is the scope that I can see.

[KevinC200M]

Travis, what reticle do you have, depending on the reticle you have to be zero at 200 yards, which will have you high 1-2" at 100 depending what round you're shooting. Also you may have to have the magnification set to a certain power when sighting in.

[186 tmanbuckhunter]

Good question, I don't remember what exactly it's called, but it's not your standard duplex reticle. It's got lines going down the scope for quick elevation adjustments, lines going in the opposite direction for windage adjustments, and then dots going out horizontally from the crosshairs for quick windage AND elevation adjustments.

EDIT: Kevin, I think you're right. I just don't ever remember there being ANYTHING in the instruction manual about that, or I would have followed it, because I'm one of those guys who reads the instructional manual before and during first time use. lol

[KevinC200M]

Good question, I don't remember what exactly it's called, but it's not your standard duplex reticle. It's got lines going down the scope for quick elevation adjustments, lines going in the opposite direction for windage adjustments, and then dots going out horizontally from the crosshairs for quick windage AND elevation adjustments.

It may be the Boone & Crockett reticle, look in the manual that came with the scope and there is a chart that should be helpful,Ii have a VX-3 4.5 x 14 x 50 on my 30-06 and it has the B&C reticle. If you're not sure go to Leupolds website you should find you scope and the reticle.

[KevinC200M]

It may be the Boone & Crockett reticle, look in the manual that came with the scope and there is a chart that should be helpful,Ii have a VX-3 4.5 x 14 x 50 on my 30-06 and it has the B&C reticle. If you're not sure go to Leupolds website you should find you scope and the reticle.

Travis, I just went to Leupolds website, based on your description you may have the Varmint Hunters reticle, there should be a chart and that should help you, if not call Leupold, their Tech guys are good. Hope this helps.

[186 tmanbuckhunter]

Kevin, you were exactly right, and I found a little booklet in the box the scope came in that I must have overlooked and it tells me how to sight it in correctly, which should solve all of the problems including group size opening up at higher magnifications. Next week I'm going to hit the club with about 50 rounds of ammo and just play with it at 100, 200, and 300 after sighting it in at 200 yards until I can figure out how it works.

I'm used to old cut and dry scopes where you sighted it in and ran with it, and obviously this isn't one. Thanks for the help buddy.

[papajohn]

Travis, let us know how this turns out, I shoot a very similar load with the same bullet and my results are notably different than yours. Good consistent accuracy and less drop..........more like 3-4 inches, perhaps less.

[186 tmanbuckhunter]

Travis, let us know how this turns out, I shoot a very similar load with the same bullet and my results are notably different than yours. Good consistent accuracy and less drop..........more like 3-4 inches, perhaps less.

Will do John. I'm hoping to make it out there to the range around Friday.

Not liking the idea of having to prep 20 more pieces of brass and weigh them so I can have 50 rounds to take with me but that's ok; it's in the interest of science right?