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Shimming a scope

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thebookdoc View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote thebookdoc Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Shimming a scope
    Posted: August/21/2009 at 14:44
I have a Bushnell 8-32x56 scope on a Remington Vantage 1200, and in sighting it in found I couldn't raise the vertical high enough. I swapped the rings to see if it was a problem with them, but same thing happened. It probably is not advisable to shim the scope, but I don't see how else to solve the issue.

Any suggestions for shimming a scope?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote magshooter1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/21/2009 at 14:48
I NEVER NEVER shim a scope!  If you have to shim; shim the scope base.  Leupold makes and sells shims for their bases.  They can also be made out of aluminum from soda cans.
Some people are educated BEYOND their intelligence.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/21/2009 at 14:51
Depending on how out of wack it is, you could start with just placing a layer of plastic packaging tape on the surface (bottom ring half) of the rear ring. If that not enough, you could make shims out of aluminum beverage cans. Don't know what type rings we're talking about here.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/21/2009 at 14:52
Explain "raise the vertical high enough"...  adjusted the elevation UP as much as you can and it is still shooting low?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote silver Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/21/2009 at 16:00
Sure you don't have the something mounted in the wrong spot?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BeltFed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/21/2009 at 16:12
Could try Burris Signature rings with their offset ring inserts.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 3_tens Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/21/2009 at 16:33
??? Do you need taller rings??? or are you shooting low? if so at what range?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote helo18 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/21/2009 at 22:52
Originally posted by BeltFed BeltFed wrote:

Could try Burris Signature rings with their offset ring inserts.


+1  That is the easiest way to do it.  I have used them, and really like them.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/21/2009 at 23:57
Here is another vote for Burris Signature or SIgnature Zee rings.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote thebookdoc Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/22/2009 at 12:00
Thanks for the replies. After reading a bit and looking around I realize that shimming is only good if you don't have to do much of it. Like almost none. The suggestions for using aluminum can is appreciated, and I might try that short term. I've looked around at adjustable mounts and found the Beeman/Sportsmatch types and the RWS/B-square models. I found a decent price on each and will be buying them to test out. Saw the Burris and Millett versions too, but couldn't seem to find them to fit the rifle's 11mm dovetail.

I do not see barrel droop, but guess that may be what it is. With the scope's vertical height at maximum for the height adjustment knobs (max UP=>), I'm hitting about 2 inches below the mark I am aiming at @ 20 yards...and it is jumping around a little as the adjustment knob is so loose. I'm going to take it off completely and mount with other rings to see if that changes anything before trying the shim. But I'd rather get that adjustment knob toward the middle of the range to have some flexibility with it.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/22/2009 at 12:21
Originally posted by thebookdoc thebookdoc wrote:

Thanks for the replies. After reading a bit and looking around I realize that shimming is only good if you don't have to do much of it. Like almost none. The suggestions for using aluminum can is appreciated, and I might try that short term. I've looked around at adjustable mounts and found the Beeman/Sportsmatch types and the RWS/B-square models. I found a decent price on each and will be buying them to test out. Saw the Burris and Millett versions too, but couldn't seem to find them to fit the rifle's 11mm dovetail.

I do not see barrel droop, but guess that may be what it is. With the scope's vertical height at maximum for the height adjustment knobs (max UP=>), I'm hitting about 2 inches below the mark I am aiming at @ 20 yards...and it is jumping around a little as the adjustment knob is so loose. I'm going to take it off completely and mount with other rings to see if that changes anything before trying the shim. But I'd rather get that adjustment knob toward the middle of the range to have some flexibility with it.
It is troubling that you are having that problem... full UP elevation and 2in low at 20yds.  Things that make you go hmmmmmm...  However, I would use a 30MOA Picatinny Rail with appropriate rings.  There are many good brands out there, SWFA sells most of them.  
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote thebookdoc Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/23/2009 at 10:41
Yeah, I was pretty disappointed, and hope it wasn't something wrong with the scope. Seems like a possibility. But like I said, I'll be disassembling and re-mounting, maybe trying another scope as well. I think this has been a good learning experience, however, as I did learn about adjustable mounts, which I hadn't previously considered. I'll check out the rail. SWFA is a great resource!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 3_tens Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/23/2009 at 11:16
This would have been better posted on the Rimfire and Airguns thread. Here is a link back to a this very common problem. xposo offers a good link to the problem you are having.
 
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Need to follow the rules. Just hard to determine which set of rules to follow
Now the rules have changed again.
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thebookdoc View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote thebookdoc Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/24/2009 at 12:31
Thanks for the link. I actually purchased both a RWS adjustable and Sportmatch adjustable mounts. At the same time, I switched the scope to a Tasco I had laying around that has an unusual issue -- the turret directions are backwards (up is down and vice versa -- same with left/right).  So, after sighting in I was hitting 3/4 inch groups at 20 yards, no drift, no extreme knob positions... I've got two new scopes on the way. I think I need to dispose of the one that needed 'shimming'...I think it needs more than that.

Thanks for all the replies!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote helo18 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/24/2009 at 12:42
You can send that scope to me, and I would be happy to test it for you.
To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.

GEORGE WASHINGTON
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