I need some help from you target shooters

I have encountered a problem that has me baffled. I acquired a new "old" 03 with an A5 scope. I took it to the range, and shooting from a rest I got a big surprise. I make my own targets, and they have diagonal lines from corner to corner (an X through the center of the bullseye). My rounds stretch from the bullseye to the upper corners along that line.:dunno: Checked for loose scope, etc. No problems. Put the rifle back together and the POI switched sides from right to left. Once again, they stetch from the bullseye to the upper corner, but on the opposite side of the target. I fired fifty rounds, and literally cut out the line.:yikes:

Took the rifle back to the house and took it apart. Checked everything I can think of. Switched loads from ball ammo to handloads. Went out the next day and got exactly the same thing, but it had switched back to the right side of the target.:banghead:

The order of impacts does not climb up and out. The first shot may be in the bullseye, the second in the upper right hand corner, and all in between or vice versa. Changed loads and bullet weights and ditto. I am getting a neat 45 degree grouping along a 4" line. No hit is more than a 1/4" off the line, but may be on either side of the line.:confused:

If I need to print a target, let me know. I think there may be a couple I didn't shred in frustration.:surrender:

Has anyone got a clue what I am doing wrong or what may be the culprit? It must be something physical, as disassembling and re-assembling the rifle can make the POI's switch sides of the target, although it doesn't happen every time.

Jim

Hey Jim,

Am no expert, but maybe you might try shooting offhand. That could be an interesting experiment. Remember a post a while back about you trying offhand shooting... just thinking......

Robert

Jim,

You need to disassemble completely the rear scope mount and clean it thoroughly of all old grease and oil. Lightly re-oil with a modern lubricant. NOT 3-in-1 oil! Check the springs in it and maybe replace them with stiffer ones. Your problem sounds like it is coming from the rear mount not returning to it's proper position between shots. You can check that with a dial indicator and the rifle firmly locked in a vise. The dial indicator will tell you whether or not the scope mount is "sticking". Just push the rear of the tube with your finger and see if it returns to the same position.

HTH,

Emri

One thing to add to EMRI's post, check for a bent tube. If there is a bend in the tube, or scratches or wear marks, the tube doesn't go back into the same place every shot. Then it will climb up at a 45 degree angle.

Second, if you are using a commerial benchrest that has a screw adjustments, make sure everything is locked down tight! Loose rest can cause this stringing, but I've never heard of one that goes up and right then up and left, usually just one directing.

HTH, Ric

Jim:

How does the rifle shoot without a scope?

If you have more than one A5, put another one on it and try it again.

Like everyone else, this sounds like a rear scope mount problem to me, where the scope isn't returning to the same place each time. Is your grashopper spring below rear the mount strong enough to return the scope to battery? The rear mount side plunger must move freely, too.

I just looked at my A5, there is movement in the front mount, too. I bet it need to be cleaned, too, although the front mount looks like it could only contribute to an up/down condition.


I know this isn't what you want to hear, but call Steve Earle, get some Unertl mounts, or better yet, get a dual Unertl/A5 mount, and stick a Unertl on it!

Don't ask me how I know this!

HTH

You did not state in your post but does the rifle have the service sights in place and could you try using them to see if the problem is the scope or not.