scope keeps moving

[ricemanff]

I am shooting a winchester model 70 in 300 WSM. I have a Leupold VX3 4.5X14X50mm and I cannot keep that scope from moving. I am using leupold rings and mounts. I shot 20 times today and it moved probably 1/4". I just picked up the new scope and prior to this scope was have groups of 5/8" but my eyes needed some more magnification. When I shot today I would get great groups then all of a sudden i would have a flyer. Thats when I noticed the scope. So if anyone out there has had this same problem please let me know what you did to fix it. The rings are tight, still moved

[pdq_wizzard]

Yeah I had the same problem with my 30.06 and 200 gr SMK.
I put some electrical tape on the bottom of the ring and I have had no problems

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[sammass]

My problem was loosening screws on the mount, so locktite was the answer. But you might use gunsmith rosen granules in the ring saddle. It may take up the slack. Perhaps double sided tape.

[sholling]

You did not say which Leupold rings, good ones or cheap Rifleman rings? Did you lap the rings before mounting the scope? If not then it's likely that only a small fraction of the rings are contacting the barrel of the scope. Lapping the rings will increase their grip on the scope and protect the finish on the scope. If you don't want to lap then consider switching to Burris Signature rings or DNZ Game Reaper mounts. Both are designed to eliminate the need to lap. Since you already have rings I'd just lap them yourself.

The only place you should use Loctite (blue only) is on the screws holding the bases to the rifle and then I use an inch-pound torque wrench to assure that they are as tight as possible without stripping. I forget the proper torque but you should be able to find it with a bit of googling.

[mark501w]

I put the rings together & run wet or dry sand paper on the inside till I knock off all the high spots on the inside.

[sholling]

I put the rings together & run wet or dry sand paper on the inside till I knock off all the high spots on the inside.

Keep in mind that this does nothing to assure that the rings are perfectly aligned to each other. For perfect alignment and maximum surface contact you'll need to lap them together on the rifle. You don't need a high-buck kit if you have a foot or so of 1" drill rod (for 1" rings) and a can of valve lapping compound from your local auto parts store.

[jtv3062]

Lapping rings for the sake of lapping rings is a good way to ruin a good set of rings. Other things should be checked before breaking out the rod and grit. Are the rings at an even plain? Check out the videos on youtube. Bedding scope base. None of my rifles have ever needed the rings lapped, even the cheap ones, bedding yes all of my Remington 700 had the need for the base to be bedded.

[ElvenSoul]

Are you sure the scope is moving and the barrel is not just getting hot?

[Sunday]

How heavy is the barrel? My dad has a Weatherby 300 mag with a pencil barrel and it will at 100 yards off the bench put 2 shots touching then the next shot less than an eighth of an inch away from the first 2 shots then it really starts to open the group up after 3 shots from the barrel heating. Maybe?

[sholling]

Lapping rings for the sake of lapping rings is a good way to ruin a good set of rings.

Only if you Bozo the job . I've lapped nearly all of my rings (all except DNZ and Burris Signature) and have yet to Bozo an installation. If the problem is the rings' grip on the scope then, short of replacing the rings, lapping is the most practical way of increasing contact area and achieving 100% alignment.

Of course there are other things that can allow scopes to move (cheap rings, loose bases, poorly torqued screws, etc) but lapping has always worked for me, perhaps because I buy good rings and torque the screws in both the bases and rings properly.