Base, Rings or Scope Problem ? ?

[HandiAndy]

Posted this in the Optics forum and thought I would post here as well since I could have a gun problem though I hope not.

Got my new Mueller 4-16x50AO Sport Dot yesterday and got it mounted up on my new NEF Sportster 17HMR.  Only had time to to do a quick zero at 25 yds.  Went out again today and checked it at 100 and was shooting 4.5 MOA right. HMMMM? ? Moved it and it is dead on now at 100.  Check it again at 25 and it's 1.5" left.  I have a scope to bore alignment problem? ? ?  I'm using Leupold Rifleman High rings and the NEF supplied base.  Now that it's mounted I see that I could get by with medium rings.  I'm suspect of the rings or possibly the base is not in perfect alignment with the bore ? ? ?  What do you guys think?

[quickdtoo]

With high rings, if you cant the rifle a little, it will shoot left or right depending on the amount of the cant and how far above the bore the scope is. Make sure the scope is properly aligned with the vertical axis of the rifle, if it's rotated slightly, it will compound the issue.

You can place a long straight edge along the side of the scope rail to see if it's aligned with the barrel. If all I mentioned checks out, removed one of the rings and rotate it 180º and remount. Make sure both rings are seated on the rail properly too.

Tim

[HandiAndy]

Thanks Tim.  I really suspect the rings.  I leveled the rifle and leveled the scope so I'm pretty sure it's not canted.  I'm probably going to swap out the rings with a set of mediums anyway since I can.  No need in it being any higher than necessary.  Maybe that will fix it.  I'll put a strait edge on it while I'm swapping rings.  I really think that is where my problem may be.  I have read most of the post on this forum over the last couple of weeks and have never seen any mention of a NEF problem of this sort.  I just wanted to see what others, including you, had to say.

[quickdtoo]

I don't recollect anyone reporting a base issue, there have been some off center bores reported tho.

Hope ya get a handle on it. 

Tim

[HandiAndy]

  Well I changed the rings, and the problem was still there.  Changed the scope and the problem was still there.  Went to the gun shop where I bought the gun and we called NEF Customer Support.  After explaining the problem, we were told to ship it back for repair or replacement.  It's gone and on it's way.  I'll report back what I'm told when it returns supposedly in 10-14 days.

[quickdtoo]

They're usually pretty quick on warranty work, do ya ask em to cover shipping?  They do that.  The only time there may be a delay is if they're waiting on parts, out of barrels or whatever.

Tim