I'm shooting long distances with my rifle, but the scope "bottoms out" before im fully zeroed, what do i do?

Question

i'm trying t oshoot longer distances at varmints with my rifle, but every time i try to zero the scope at a longer range, like 300 yards, it bottoms out with vertical adjustment before it's zeroed, how do i solvee this? do i put a small block in the back of the mount to raise the scope's back? this question is for experienced shooters ONLY!!

Answer 1

I can't imagine why you would be bottoming out before you got your scope adjusted for 300 yards unless you are using a cheap scope.  Most decent scopes will easily adjust to 300 yards.  I think you are using this scope an a .22 rimfire rifle and may be using a .22 scope that is not made for shooting at those extreme (for a .22 rimfire) ranges.  If you are shooting a cheap .22 scope, your best bet is to take it off and save it for something else than go buy a decent scope.  If you are already using a decent scope, you may need to shim up the rear scope mount.  You won't need much of a shim so I'd try a piece of aluminum pop can first.  If that doesn't do it, you can try something like a piece of a vegetable can.

If you need a new scope, take a look at Cabela's Pine Ridge Rimfire Tactical Scope.  It has interchangeable turrets for each rimfire cartridge.  It is good out to more than 300 yards and all you have to do after zeroing it according to the instructions is to dial in the distance to your target and you can hold right on your target.  It eliminates any need for hold over.  They are about $90 in the catalog.

Answer 2

Do not shim the scope. This causes more problems than its worth.

Higher rings do help, but not by much, and it changes your face placement on the stock.

Your scope may be a good optic, but the reality is that most scopes today are designed for hunters. That is to say we don't fool with in the field scope adjustments, and limit our shots to 200 meters. I zero my .308 at 200 meters, and know that my 150 grain Hornady SST Light Magnum, will drop no more than 7 inches at 300. I am shooting at Deer that have a 10 inch vital, so missing is kinda hard unless you panic. Also I tend to kill Deer within  50 meters, which is why I often hunt with a .44mag lever gun.

My .308s are however  sniper rifles, and are glassed with 4.5x14 Leopold long range tactical, scopes. This is great beyond 1000 meters(I don't shoot that far) if you are that good, with proper caliber.

So be wary of the Cabella brand stuff, as that they may be hunting scopes. Even leupold makes scopes with these limitations. You need a scope specifically designed for long range(beyond 200 meters).

I know there are several out there, but I have 3 precision rifles; 2 .308s, and 1 5.56, all with a Leopold Mark 4, 4.5 x 14 long range tactical, with a mil dot reticule. This will cost you about 1 grand(rings and mount included), but are as good as any scope out there. If there are better, I doubt I or anyone other than a military sniper would know the difference.

Sorry dude.

Answer 3

A shim under the rear MOUNT should do it for you.

Answer 4

Most people are helping with the scope problem, but what gun do you have it on? Perhaps the drop in bullet trajectory is so great the scope can't be adjusted that much to compensate. Just a thought.

Answer 5

Try higher rings in general, or try a very very small shim under the rear ring.  What scope is giving you such problems, most decent scopes should have plenty of adjustment for 300 yard shots, not until 600 yards or so should you be hindered by their inability to go any further.

I suspect you picked up a very inexpensive scope