Why did my rifle lose its zero?

[silver star]

I have been following this thread and getting excited to see all the powerful shooting this Sunday.
With very little wind today I made time to go out to the OKCGC and really fine tune my AR.
All I can say is I must have done something to my scope because I could not group better than a baseball at 50yds, a volleyball at 100yds a beach ball at 200 and the large paper target was never touched at 300. 120 rounds fired.
I cannot compete until I get help to prove this is not operator error and then figure out what next.
Can someone recommend where I can take this to have it looked at?
Michael

 

[jtischauser]

I have been following this thread and getting excited to see all the powerful shooting this Sunday.
With very little wind today I made time to go out to the OKCGC and really fine tune my AR.
All I can say is I must have done something to my scope because I could not group better than a baseball at 50yds, a volleyball at 100yds a beach ball at 200 and the large paper target was never touched at 300. 120 rounds fired.
I cannot compete until I get help to prove this is not operator error and then figure out what next.
Can someone recommend where I can take this to have it looked at?
Michael

First things first and I'm not trying to insult you here. Did you check all of the screws to make sure something didn't wiggle loose?

Do you have a compensator on it? If so how many rounds thru it?

What were you resting or shooting off of?

 

[taymoor]

A guy that was at Pawnee range with me was having a similar problem with his aimpoint. The problem ended up being that his scope mount was straddling both the receiver and the forearm toprail. Do you have pics of your setup?

 

[silver star]

Don't worry about insult, I am in an arena with no training. I don't mind learning.
The scope is tight, I stopped and looked at this 3 times thinking I should see something wrong, grabbed and push and pulled, no movement on scope or mount.
No compensator.
I bought a new Caldwell Fire Control front rest with sand bag rear and what I thought a solid set. With that set up I expected to leave today super dialed in instead of beaten up.
Of course there could be something I don't know to look at and could be answering your question incorrectly.

 

[silver star]

A guy that was at Pawnee range with me was having a similar problem with his aimpoint. The problem ended up being that his scope mount was straddling both the receiver and the forearm toprail. Do you have pics of your setup?

Thanks, I can post pictures from a different computer tomorrow.

 

[jtischauser]

You don't have a free float tube on the gun do you? If not is there any chance you were altering the amount of input you were putting on the handguard?

 

[Rustyzx9]

Micheal, what optic are you running and is there any chance that the optic itself is not holding zero? Also, since I can't remember, is your rifle a flat top or a carry handle of some sort?

If nothing else works out, you are welcome to run one of my rifles, I'd hate for anyone to miss the match for lack of gear...

 

[silver star]

You don't have a free float tube on the gun do you? If not is there any chance you were altering the amount of input you were putting on the handguard?

Hopefully photos will answer the free float question.
I would have to say yes to your 2nd question.
Before I got all this equipment I just laid it over my tactical bag and did pretty good.
I should have tried that today but ran out of ammo but I had an abundance of frustration.

 

[silver star]

Micheal, what optic are you running and is there any chance that the optic itself is not holding zero? Also, since I can't remember, is your rifle a flat top or a carry handle of some sort?

If nothing else works out, you are welcome to run one of my rifles, I'd hate for anyone to miss the match for lack of gear...

Hey Rusty, think back to the last multi gun, last stage, you were timing me, the mini poppers and plat rack, etc. I empied 2 mags and timed out trying to hit the mini popper. I could have done better with my Browning Light 12 w/slug.
Trijicon TR24=3 green german #4 w/dot.
Your question about scope, do you mean externally or internally or both. Answer-I don't know.
Flat top.
Thanks for the offer, I really have looked forward to this and may take you up on the offer but still wish I knew how to find out where the problem is.

 

[Rustyzx9]

Hey Rusty, think back to the last multi gun, last stage, you were timing me, the mini poppers and plat rack, etc. I empied 2 mags and timed out trying to hit the mini popper. I could have done better with my Browning Light 12 w/slug.
Trijicon TR24=3 green german #4 w/dot.
Your question about scope, do you mean externally or internally or both. Answer-I don't know.
Flat top.
Thanks for the offer, I really have looked forward to this and may take you up on the offer but still wish I knew how to find out where the problem is.

I would not expect for that optic to be the problem as Trijicon is good kit.

I'm going to be out at OKCGC around 5:30 or so tomorrow night and would be happy to take a look at the rifle. I'm not sure I could help but another set of eyes on things couldn't hurt... much. lol.

 

[silver star]

I would not expect for that optic to be the problem as Trijicon is good kit.

I'm going to be out at OKCGC around 5:30 or so tomorrow night and would be happy to take a look at the rifle. I'm not sure I could help but another set of eyes on things couldn't hurt... much. lol.

Thanks, I need to make this happen, will try to get ducks in a row.

 

[silver star]

I would not expect for that optic to be the problem as Trijicon is good kit.

I'm going to be out at OKCGC around 5:30 or so tomorrow night and would be happy to take a look at the rifle. I'm not sure I could help but another set of eyes on things couldn't hurt... much. lol.

Looks like the stars are aligning in my favor, will meet you at 5:30 if that still works for you. I won't let this take much of your time because you are going to be there to shoot your guns.
I have attached a picture for you Rusty and Jesse and Taymoor.
Thanks everyone.

 

[Rustyzx9]

I'll be there as close to 5:30 as I can and there will be plenty of time...

 

[imacgyver]

is half of your mount hanging in air?

 

[silver star]

is half of your mount hanging in air?

Yes, I agree.
Trijicon TR-126
The guy at the Trijicon booth at shot show ran it on 2 of his guns.
That sold me.
This set up zeroed in very well for a short period of time..

 

[Wall]

Yes, I agree.
Trijicon TR-126
The guy at the Trijicon booth at shot show ran it on 2 of his guns.
That sold me.
This set up zeroed in very well for a short period of time..

What mount is it?
Sometimes people will spend alot of money on nice optics & try to save on the mount. The mount is about as important as the optic itself. Most (quality) optics related issues turn out to be mount related. I would definately think your Trijicon would not be the problem & would take a look at the mount if it's not a top quality piece.

Edit: nevermind, I guess I didn't read :lol: it's a Trijicon mount.

 

[silver star]

What mount is it?
Sometimes people will spend alot of money on nice optics & try to save on the mount. The mount is about as important as the optic itself. Most (quality) optics related issues turn out to be mount related. I would definately think your Trijicon would not be the problem & would take a look at the mount if it's not a top quality piece.

Mount is Trijicon TR-126

 

[imacgyver]

That kind of caught my attention, but I guess that is how it was manufactured. The long standing issue with quick detach or movement is that is produces results that you described. You can always try the same optics with a different mount to see if that is the issue.

 

[silver star]

Mount is Trijicon TR-126

Here is a link to it;
Trijicon TR-126

 

[silver star]

That kind of caught my attention, but I guess that is how it was manufactured. The long standing issue with quick detach or movement is that is produces results that you described. You can always try the same optics with a different mount to see if that is the issue.

Yes, in the process of elimination I hope to find the problem before that step develops.