Once Zeroed - Never Change

[arbol]

In movies, we see "snipers" build a rifle, and attach a scope...

Is this scope and rifle still zero'ed?

Or am I right in thinking it isn't even close?

-John

[ray1970]

It would be close enough for government work.

Obviously lots of factors involved. Assuming returning the scope to the receiver is repeatable it really should be pretty close. While it isn?t quite apples to apples, I have pulled optics off of an AR, put it back on later, and no adjustment was necessary. I also have a take down rifle that I can pop the barrel on and off and the optic stays with the receiver. It doesn?t lose zero from removing and reinstalling the barrel. Granted, none of my examples are ?sniper? rifles.

[arbol]

I just don't understand, as the tolerances would have to be so tight.

I mean we spend hours on dialing it in, and then someone can just slap a scope on a gun and call it good?

-John

[buffalobo]

In movies...

If you're unarmed, you are a victim.

[bellavite1]

I think the keyword (s) here is government work:
If my POI shifts 1 MOA I will have a freaking heart attack.
In the real world I suspect it won't make much difference, especially with a decent enough cartridge.

[arbol]

Government work, and distance, right?

It's simple physics, right, that once you take your scope off your rifle, it will never return to the same zero.

-John

[ray1970]

I mean we spend hours on dialing it in

Hours? I can sight a scope in with two shots.

[Linkless]

I think it is a lot more repeatable than most people think. I bought a used rifle from a reputable local place and decided to go ahead and buy a used scope they had as well which was still in rings. I put the scope on the rifle and took it to the range. Looking through the bore and scope it seems like it lined up reasonably so I took the first shot at 100 yards. Elevation spot on and 1/4" left of the bullseye. Apparently the rifle and scope came in together and were taken apart to sell. For reference, it's a Kelbly Atlas .308 with a USOptics B25 in ARC rings.

[Little Dutch]

I've been leery of the quick disconnect AR scope mounts because of the return-to-zero question. I assumed it was hollywood being hollywood. The reading I've done on the AR QD mounts indicates they return pretty close to their original zero. So, I suppose it's not as far-fetched as I had always assumed when seeing it in the movies.

https://www.recoilweb.com/guide-to-q...nts-57239.html

[ray1970]

I've been leery of the quick disconnect AR scope mounts because of the return-to-zero question. I assumed it was hollywood being hollywood. The reading I've done on the AR QD mounts indicates they return pretty close to their original zero. So, I suppose it's not as far-fetched as I had always assumed when seeing it in the movies.

https://www.recoilweb.com/guide-to-q...nts-57239.html

That test of the mounts was pretty impressive. Even the worst one was within less than a quarter MOA. Theoretically, it would mean you would be off less than one inch with your point of impact at 400 yards. I guess if you were shooting a target the size of a golf ball at that distance it might make or break the shot but putting a round into center of mass and being off an inch at that distance is pretty inconsequential.