Need to sight in scope again after removing it for cleaning?

Rifle scopes, iron sights and optics. Spotting scopes and target acquisition devices.

Need to sight in scope again after removing it for cleaning?

Post by subatom » 26 Aug 2013, 1:07 pm

Hi all,

In the past when cleaning my rifle I've left the scope on and done my best to clean around them scope mounts etc. but it's not ideal as cleaning the top of the action and around the scope rings in limited a bit by the scope being in the way.

If I remove the scope when cleaning the rifle by just undoing the top half of the rings, then reseat the scope in the same place after cleaning is done, should I expect any change in the point of impact or need to re-sight the rifle?

Not sure if it's going to be more trouble than it's worth...

Thanks.
Remington VTR .308 Winchester. Marlin 336 .35 Remington. Mossberg 185 20 gauge.
User avatar
subatom
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 110
South Australia

Re: Need to sight in scope again after removing it for clean

Post by Spooner » 26 Aug 2013, 2:28 pm

You likely will need to re-sight it after...

Should only need a click or two though if that.
User avatar
Spooner
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 111
Northern Territory

Re: Need to sight in scope again after removing it for clean

Post by Aster » 26 Aug 2013, 3:43 pm

Spooner wrote:You likely will need to re-sight it after...

Should only need a click or two though if that.


That sounds about right.

Seating the scope further forwards/backwards that it previously was is the only change in placement you're likely to have, and obviously if it's just a few mm further forwards/backwards that isn't going to have a noticeable impact on your vertical POI.

There could potentially be a fraction of flex/twist in the scope or rings which could change between seatings. Assuming everything was seated properly initially, I doubt you'd need more than 1 click in either direction after removing and reseating your scope.
See you on the firing line.
User avatar
Aster
Moderator
 
-

Re: Need to sight in scope again after removing it for clean

Post by subatom » 23 Jan 2014, 12:07 pm

I've done it a few times now and it hasn't been much of a problem.

A click or two in each direction and it's back on target, like you guys said.

Thanks.
Remington VTR .308 Winchester. Marlin 336 .35 Remington. Mossberg 185 20 gauge.
User avatar
subatom
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 110
South Australia

Re: Need to sight in scope again after removing it for clean

Post by Hennie Dreyer » 23 Jan 2014, 10:29 pm

Do it - for your own peace of mind
Hennie Dreyer
Recruit
Recruit
 
Posts: 37
South Africa

Re: Need to sight in scope again after removing it for clean

Post by Vati » 24 Jan 2014, 7:35 am

Hennie Dreyer wrote:Do it - for your own peace of mind


I'd agree it's always worth checking. It might only be a click or two but that's enough to cost you a good shot.

Not really any effort to just rattle off 3-4 shots to confirm either.
Reach out and touch...
User avatar
Vati
Corporal
Corporal
 
Posts: 426
New South Wales

Re: Need to sight in scope again after removing it for clean

Post by subatom » 12 Mar 2014, 12:24 pm

Yeah it hasn't been a problem in the end.

I must have done it a dozen times now and all that's been needed to fix it was maybe 1 click, if that.

All good :)
Remington VTR .308 Winchester. Marlin 336 .35 Remington. Mossberg 185 20 gauge.
User avatar
subatom
Lance Corporal
Lance Corporal
 
Posts: 110
South Australia

Re: Need to sight in scope again after removing it for clean

Post by auriga3 » 11 Apr 2016, 3:42 pm

After i have sighted in my scope in i use a Bushnell bore sighter & note the reading.A Leopold bore sighter will do the same thing.After replacing the scope i adjust the cross hairs to the reading that i noted down.A Bushnell boresighter needs an arbour of the calibre that you are using,A Leopold boresighter has a magnetic strip & will fit any calibre.A couple of shots will put you on target.
auriga3
Recruit
Recruit
 
Posts: 39
New South Wales

Re: Need to sight in scope again after removing it for clean

Post by RealNick » 13 Apr 2016, 12:31 pm

Huh? After you have sighted in your scope you use a bore sighter?

Why are you bore sighting it if it's already dialed in?
User avatar
RealNick
Corporal
Corporal
 
Posts: 381
Victoria

Re: Need to sight in scope again after removing it for clean

Post by auriga3 » 13 Apr 2016, 3:07 pm

After i have sighted in the scope i take a reading from a boresighter,i keep this reading for further reference .If i have moved the scope i fit the boresighter again &check the reading from when i sighted it in,if need be i wind the crosshairs back to that reading
auriga3
Recruit
Recruit
 
Posts: 39
New South Wales

Re: Need to sight in scope again after removing it for clean

Post by happyhunter » 13 Apr 2016, 7:10 pm

RealNick wrote:Huh? After you have sighted in your scope you use a bore sighter?

Why are you bore sighting it if it's already dialed in?


He is using something like this:
http://www.barska.com/blog/how-to-use-a ... by-barska/

The arbours are the metal bits in the plastic box and you have to use one specific to the bore size. When set up and you look through your rifle scope there is a fine grid pattern and that you use a reference. I use for when I swap out scopes on rifles or change to a different load. saves having to shoot the rifle to sight it back in.
happyhunter
Warrant Officer C1
Warrant Officer C1
 
Posts: 1303
Other


Back to top
 
Return to Scopes, sights and optics