Scope's Elevation Maxed Out - 20 MOA Base?

[LMNO]

Hey everyone,

I am not very well-versed in scopes and new to the long-range shooing scene, so I need some assistance. I have a Remington SPS .308 Tactical with a DNZ one-piece scope mount and a Redfield Battlezone 6-8x44 scope.

On a recent visit to Angeles to zero in the rifle, I noticed the scope ran out of elevation. This scope comes with custom turrets for use with a .308 or a .223, and the elevation ran out at approximately 450 yard mark on the scope. I was shooting at the 600 yard targets and was able to hold over.

I would like to keep pursuing longer ranges whenever possible. Should I just stick with holding over for distances beyond 500 yards? Or should I invest in 20 moa mount (DNZ makes ones)? Or a scope with more elevation?

On a side-note, I noticed that I don't really care to shoot at high magnifications and was considering upgrading to an SWFA 6x42 or 10-x42 scope. The Redfield is kind of blurry at 6x, but pretty clear 8x and up.

Also, this is a light-weight gun so I wouldn't mind switching to a lighter scope, if anyone can recommend one.

Any help and feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[JMP]

I am surprised that the scope cannot reach 500 yards with standard rings as you are running out of clicks at only about 3 mil of travel. Check the specs and make sure it is installed properly. However, it is entirely possible, especially if it comes with a 1" tube.

For me, I'd definitely get rid of the cant and get a closer zero with those cartridges. Also, from what you say in your post, I'd also suggest upgrading to one of the scopes you suggest.

However, since it's a pretty low end scope, rather than spending more money on another mount, I'd suggest shimming the front mount with some strips cut from a coke can. Some people do not like that approach, but it will work fine.

[ElvenSoul]

Something wrong

You sure about those ranges?

[ElvenSoul]

Cheaper than buying a new base

Burris Zee Rings +10 insert and a -10 insert will give you 20moa

[socalblue]

Hey everyone,

I am not very well-versed in scopes and new to the long-range shooing scene, so I need some assistance. I have a Remington SPS .308 Tactical with a DNZ one-piece scope mount and a Redfield Battlezone 6-8x44 scope.

On a recent visit to Angeles to zero in the rifle, I noticed the scope ran out of elevation. This scope comes with custom turrets for use with a .308 or a .223, and the elevation ran out at approximately 450 yard mark on the scope. I was shooting at the 600 yard targets and was able to hold over.

I would like to keep pursuing longer ranges whenever possible. Should I just stick with holding over for distances beyond 500 yards? Or should I invest in 20 moa mount (DNZ makes ones)? Or a scope with more elevation?

On a side-note, I noticed that I don't really care to shoot at high magnifications and was considering upgrading to an SWFA 6x42 or 10-x42 scope. The Redfield is kind of blurry at 6x, but pretty clear 8x and up.

Also, this is a light-weight gun so I wouldn't mind switching to a lighter scope, if anyone can recommend one.

Any help and feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Scope is listed as having 36 MOA elevation. That's easily enough to reach 500+.

Something is very wrong here.. Did you verify center on the elevation adjustment?

[LMNO]

I am surprised that the scope cannot reach 500 yards with standard rings as you are running out of clicks at only about 3 mil of travel. Check the specs and make sure it is installed properly. However, it is entirely possible, especially if it comes with a 1" tube.

For me, I'd definitely get rid of the cant and get a closer zero with those cartridges. Also, from what you say in your post, I'd also suggest upgrading to one of the scopes you suggest.

However, since it's a pretty low end scope, rather than spending more money on another mount, I'd suggest shimming the front mount with some strips cut from a coke can. Some people do not like that approach, but it will work fine.

Something wrong

You sure about those ranges?

Cheaper than buying a new base

Burris Zee Rings +10 insert and a -10 insert will give you 20moa

Scope is listed as having 36 MOA elevation. That's easily enough to reach 500+.

Something is very wrong here.. Did you verify center on the elevation adjustment?

Thank you everyone for the helpful replies.

Yes, the ranges are correct. I was holding over two hash marks when shooting at the red square plate at 600 yards.

The other thing I forgot to mention is that, for some reason, the scope ended up sliding forward. I thought I had it tightened down pretty good, but I guess not?

That's pretty interesting about shimming. I may just give that a try before my next visit. I think I will continue using this scope until I can figure out what the issue is.

I did not verify the center of elevation adjustment, nor do I know how to do that. I laser bore-sighted it at about 10 yards, and then adjusted at 100 yards on paper.

[ElvenSoul]

Sliding foward is not good!

[LMNO]

Sliding foward is not good!

I need to buy one of those Wheeler torque drivers and re do it. I was afraid of tightening it down too much. But it was pretty darn tight when I installed it.

[John03]

According to the info sheet that scope only has 36moa of elevation travel, if I were you I'd upgrade to another scope if you want to shoot at longer distances.

https://www.redfield.com/_media/downloads/Battlezone_6-18x44mm.pdf

There are a lot of good options, it just depends on how much you're willing to spend.

[ElvenSoul]

The Burris Zee Rings will fix that sliding issue

It is possible that sliding foward took away 10 to 15 moa.

http://www.burrisoptics.com/mounting-systems/rings/zee-rings

[JMP]

Thank you everyone for the helpful replies.

Yes, the ranges are correct. I was holding over two hash marks when shooting at the red square plate at 600 yards.

The other thing I forgot to mention is that, for some reason, the scope ended up sliding forward. I thought I had it tightened down pretty good, but I guess not?

That's pretty interesting about shimming. I may just give that a try before my next visit. I think I will continue using this scope until I can figure out what the issue is.

I did not verify the center of elevation adjustment, nor do I know how to do that. I laser bore-sighted it at about 10 yards, and then adjusted at 100 yards on paper.

If the scope only has 36 MOA of total travel, then your conclusion is about right. Scopes are made about an axis, so without cant, you should have 18 MOA up and 18 MOA down. Actually, you will have only about 10-15 MOA UP from zero since the fact that the scope's axis sits higher than the bore. This is in alignment with my expectations of a 223 or 308 as it should max out at 400-600 yards if the geometry is correct.

You actually may have a problem with a 20 MOA mount. It could make it so that you can no longer zero at ~100 yard. You would actually be better off with a 10 MOA cant. As I said earlier, I'd just shim it.

For practical purposes and the sake of your shooting, I'd definitely get a new scope.

[ElvenSoul]

Here is a video explaining what is probably going on

https://youtu.be/wcRAX5OLtJE

[Fjold]

I am surprised that the scope cannot reach 500 yards with standard rings as you are running out of clicks at only about 3 mil of travel. Check the specs and make sure it is installed properly. However, it is entirely possible, especially if it comes with a 1" tube.

For me, I'd definitely get rid of the cant and get a closer zero with those cartridges. Also, from what you say in your post, I'd also suggest upgrading to one of the scopes you suggest.

However, since it's a pretty low end scope, rather than spending more money on another mount, I'd suggest shimming the front mount with some strips cut from a coke can. Some people do not like that approach, but it will work fine.

If you install a shim, you put it under the rear mount to get more elevation.



.

[JMP]

If you install a shim, you put it under the rear mount to get more elevation.



.

Thanks for catching that. I had originally read the post backwards and edited my reply prior to posting. Actually, this is a common error I have seen people actually try in real life so I'll point it out.

[NoHeavyHitter]

You should check out Burris Signature Zee Scope Rings. They have various inserts to dial in extra MOA for your scope. I use them and am very happy with how well they work.

Here's a write-up on them.

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2013/10/burris-signature-zee-rings-with-inserts-now-in-stock/