Rifle knocked out of zero

[Turkeynugs]

Long story short I took a pretty bad spill the evening before the D16 opener with my rifle strapped to my pack and just found out this week that my zero is way off (I couldn’t even hit a 1 gallon jug at 100 yards).

I’ve looked online and the recommendations are all over the place from 1) just taking it to the range and re-zeroing to 2) remounting the scope and then taking it to the range to re-zero to 3) removethe action/re-torque the action screw before remounting scope to 4) sending the scope back to Leupold (it’s a VX5HD) for inspection of the internals before doing all of the above.

There’s no obvious damage to the scope and there are no clear signs that the scope has moved so don’t want to go crazy with how to fix this but also want to have confidence in my setup moving forward. Anyone ever had to deal with this and have any recommendations? Thanks!

 

[GUNDOGLOVER49]

Take it out and try to get it back on zero. If you can't reset it, there may be internal damage to the optics, in which case it's time to go scope shopping.

 

[Kellendv]

Just go to the range and re-zero. If you have problems then you can consider sending it in or having it looked at.

 

[Morgan1776]

Long story short I took a pretty bad spill the evening before the D16 opener with my rifle strapped to my pack and just found out this week that my zero is way off (I couldn’t even hit a 1 gallon jug at 100 yards).

I’ve looked online and the recommendations are all over the place from 1) just taking it to the range and re-zeroing to 2) remounting the scope and then taking it to the range to re-zero to 3) removethe action/re-torque the action screw before remounting scope to 4) sending the scope back to Leupold (it’s a VX5HD) for inspection of the internals before doing all of the above.

There’s no obvious damage to the scope and there are no clear signs that the scope has moved so don’t want to go crazy with how to fix this but also want to have confidence in my setup moving forward. Anyone ever had to deal with this and have any recommendations? Thanks!

Sounds like a good time to remove the action from the stock, clean everything up and re-torque action. While you're at it, mind as well re-torque rings. Once the boring stuff is done, take it to the range and re-zero. You should be able to zero and then adjust your scope right, down, left and back up a to zero, moving the same amount of clicks. If it doesn't track correctly back to zero, send it in....

 

[Aeon]

don't go tearing things apart just yet. just remove the scope and reset the mounts and scope.

Aside from smashing it and breaking things you cant create more force then the recoil of the gun by falling.

make sure if you have a picatinny mount to push the mount forward before you tighten them down

Go re-zero her and she should shoot fine.

 

[cadeerhunter]

well let's see. take it to the range and take 3 shots at 50 yds but with the ammo shortage kinda hard to tell what is the best

 

[GUNDOGLOVER49]

After further consideration, I say the hell with it go get a new rifle and scope. U deserve it.

 

[Bowman]

Long story short I took a pretty bad spill the evening before the D16 opener with my rifle strapped to my pack and just found out this week that my zero is way off (I couldn’t even hit a 1 gallon jug at 100 yards).

I’ve looked online and the recommendations are all over the place from 1) just taking it to the range and re-zeroing to 2) remounting the scope and then taking it to the range to re-zero to 3) removethe action/re-torque the action screw before remounting scope to 4) sending the scope back to Leupold (it’s a VX5HD) for inspection of the internals before doing all of the above.

There’s no obvious damage to the scope and there are no clear signs that the scope has moved so don’t want to go crazy with how to fix this but also want to have confidence in my setup moving forward. Anyone ever had to deal with this and have any recommendations? Thanks!

just an other thought an other 2 cents, if the internal mechanism got damaged, you could go re-zero and the slightest knock could throw it out again, it's now subject to unknown. which could blow your only shot when it counts, Murphys law

 

[Turkeynugs]

Well thanks for all of the replies...pretty consistent with what I found online (aside from the recommendation to just buy a whole new setup!). I think since D16 is over/there’s no time crunch I will just clean everything up and retorque before taking it to the range and putting it through the ringer. If it’s acting funky at all I’ll just send the scope back sooner than later. As much as I’d like to buy a new rifle it would be hard to justify since this is my “new” rifle!

Thanks again.

 

[Snake Charmer]

Way too much thinking going on here, Scope shows no Damage ? Then its not damaged. The thing you have not explained is the platform itself and who put it together for you as wel as the components so that in my mind is the first variable. I have owned Leupolds since 1975 they are virtually bullet proof. Do some simple pull and grab checks of the mounting. If you don't detect any movement then try to rezero . If that fails then remount all components including the action to the stock. if that doesn't work send the scope back to Leupold and they will either fix it for free or send you another no charge.

 

[fish dog]

I did that once with a Leupold, landed square on the scope when I was goi9ng downhill and my feet went out from under me. The first thing I did after I collected myself (even though I really didn't want to fire an "unnecessary" shot in my hunting area) was to pick out a stump across the canyon and check my zero. Unbelievably it was still right on.

 

[Turkeynugs]

I did that once with a Leupold, landed square on the scope when I was goi9ng downhill and my feet went out from under me. The first thing I did after I collected myself (even though I really didn't want to fire an "unnecessary" shot in my hunting area) was to pick out a stump across the canyon and check my zero. Unbelievably it was still right on.

Yeah I was pretty much in the same situation and assumed I’d be good as well so didn’t want to waste ammo/blow up the spot. Lesson learned...don’t fall.

 

[GUNDOGLOVER49]

I had issue with a Leupold several years back. It was mounted on a Ruger .480 revolver. I didn't drop it but, after several shots something got knocked out of wack., I couldn't even see through the scope. I sent it in, they sent me a new one. And no I didn't buy a new revolver and scope. I got a mini 14 for my trouble. My birthday was only 8 months away.