Scope problems

ninwnc · 09-01-2007, 10:16 PM

I recently purchased an M98 8MM Mauser. I had mounts installed by a competent gunsmith.

The problem is that with the higher than normal mounts, so the scope clears the bolt handle, there are not enough clicks on the elevation knob to zero in elevation.

The only scope I have that will zero on this rifle is an old Tasco 6-X. This is an OK scope.

I would like to go with something like a 6 X 24, for target shooting. without breaking the bank, and it's a very small bank.

I see the 6 x 24 scopes on sale from time to time for about $100.00 and have several. BUT, the ones I have will not reach the zero in elevation for this rifle. They are fine on my other rifles.

Any suggestions?

Nick

lefty o · 09-01-2007, 10:57 PM

couple of options. if your using a 1 piece mount, shim up the back of the mount. for 2 piece mounts, i highly recommend burris signature series rings they have offset inserts that will allow you to get your scope centered.

Mooseman684 · 09-02-2007, 02:21 AM

I mostly agree with leftyO , but for more elevation you buy a scope with Lots of elevation built in ! Is your rifle shooting Low Or High ???If you are shooting Too high, shim up the front of the scope under the ring to bring the crosshairs up!
Rich

ArkansasHunter · 09-02-2007, 02:31 AM

Or may be try swapping the ring base's around, I've heard folks say to do that when this problem occurs.

toolman · 09-02-2007, 03:54 AM

Of all the options listed, the Burris Signature Ring option is the cheapest(in the long run), most trouble-free one there is.

rookie1129 · 09-02-2007, 06:02 AM

There is nothing troublesome,uncommon,unreliable, expensive or wrong about shimming a mount. I would for sure shim it before putting a Tasco on it.

billy · 09-02-2007, 07:24 AM

on my saiga i ended up using shims cut from a beer can and locktite.
it is the only one i have done and it was pretty easy.

ninwnc · 09-02-2007, 02:31 PM

Thanks for the input. I will check out the Burris rings, or maybe even try shimming it up.

Nick

Johnnycat · 09-03-2007, 08:58 AM

Do you have the original bolt or a forged bolt? Going to a low-mount system (bolt and safety) should allow more room to play with.

toolman · 09-03-2007, 12:55 PM

Keep in mind that shimming the mount will require either lapping or reaming the rings afterwards to keep the scope from tweaking.

lefty o · 09-03-2007, 02:04 PM

scopes perform best when they are centered, for this reason dont use a scope with alot of adjustment just because your rings, and mounts are off. there is a time and place for scopes with large amounts of adjustment, but it is not for making up for bad gunsmithing.

samuel · 09-03-2007, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lefty o

scopes perform best when they are centered, for this reason dont use a scope with alot of adjustment just because your rings, and mounts are off. there is a time and place for scopes with large amounts of adjustment, but it is not for making up for bad gunsmithing.

This whole deal sounds like bad gunsmithing to me.The back of the housing is lower than the front housing ring but both 1 and 2 piece Mauser mounts are designed for this.The back one is designed for the little hump too.I would give the gunsmith a chance to do it right but shimming will work.As Mooseman says,shim the front if shooting high,the back if shooting low. sam.

toolman · 09-03-2007, 11:01 PM

Another thing that hasn't been brought up, has the crest been ground off of the receiver ring? This is pretty common with Mausers and can really play havoc with scope mounting.

ninwnc · 09-04-2007, 11:15 AM

The mounts are two peice. The crest is not ground off.

I think I will go with the burris rings. The shimming sounds eay enough but he lapping of the rings sounds like something that has to be precicely done, and my machineing abilities are pretty much non existant.

Nick

toolman · 09-04-2007, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninwnc

The mounts are two peice. The crest is not ground off.
I think I will go with the burris rings. The shimming sounds eay enough but he lapping of the rings sounds like something that has to be precicely done, and my machineing abilities are pretty much non existant.
Nick

It's not hard to do at all, you just have to buy or make a tool to do it. The tool is just an exact 1" or 30mm bar, some with several light grooves cut into it to hold the lapping compound. Here's a few links: https://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/st...+ALIGNMENT+LAP
Scope Ring Lapping Tool at Possum Hollow Products, Inc.
MidwayUSA - Wheeler Engineering Scope Ring Alignment and Lapping Kit 1"

SwedeSteve · 09-11-2007, 12:08 AM

ditto on what everyone else suggested! Shimming has worked for me more than once. I also used the same shim material as Billy. Had plenty of it lying about...

09-01-2007, 10:16 PM	#1
ninwnc Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 435	Scope problems I recently purchased an M98 8MM Mauser. I had mounts installed by a competent gunsmith. The problem is that with the higher than normal mounts, so the scope clears the bolt handle, there are not enough clicks on the elevation knob to zero in elevation. The only scope I have that will zero on this rifle is an old Tasco 6-X. This is an OK scope. I would like to go with something like a 6 X 24, for target shooting. without breaking the bank, and it's a very small bank. I see the 6 x 24 scopes on sale from time to time for about $100.00 and have several. BUT, the ones I have will not reach the zero in elevation for this rifle. They are fine on my other rifles. Any suggestions? Nick

09-02-2007, 02:21 AM	#3
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness...Currently in Holiday, Fla. Posts: 11,002 Images: 2	I mostly agree with leftyO , but for more elevation you buy a scope with Lots of elevation built in ! Is your rifle shooting Low Or High ???If you are shooting Too high, shim up the front of the scope under the ring to bring the crosshairs up! Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

09-02-2007, 03:54 AM	#5
toolman Mr. Fixit Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: abilene,tx Posts: 6,039 Blog Entries: 24	Of all the options listed, the Burris Signature Ring option is the cheapest(in the long run), most trouble-free one there is. __________________ cosmoline is an aphrodisiac!

09-02-2007, 07:24 AM	#7
billy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 15,746 Images: 10 Blog Entries: 158	on my saiga i ended up using shims cut from a beer can and locktite. it is the only one i have done and it was pretty easy. __________________ ignint mcnugget... the slug o love sez... remember kids two warning shots to the head for safety!

09-03-2007, 08:58 AM	#9
Johnnycat Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tupelo, MS Posts: 289	Do you have the original bolt or a forged bolt? Going to a low-mount system (bolt and safety) should allow more room to play with. __________________ Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored. - Aldous Huxley

09-01-2007, 10:57 PM	#2
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 5,358	couple of options. if your using a 1 piece mount, shim up the back of the mount. for 2 piece mounts, i highly recommend burris signature series rings they have offset inserts that will allow you to get your scope centered.

09-02-2007, 02:31 AM	#4
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 11,267	Or may be try swapping the ring base's around, I've heard folks say to do that when this problem occurs.

09-02-2007, 06:02 AM	#6
rookie1129 Banned Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: south Louisiana Posts: 50	There is nothing troublesome,uncommon,unreliable, expensive or wrong about shimming a mount. I would for sure shim it before putting a Tasco on it.

09-02-2007, 02:31 PM	#8
ninwnc Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 435	Thanks for the input. I will check out the Burris rings, or maybe even try shimming it up. Nick

09-03-2007, 12:55 PM	#10
toolman Mr. Fixit Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: abilene,tx Posts: 6,039 Blog Entries: 24	Keep in mind that shimming the mount will require either lapping or reaming the rings afterwards to keep the scope from tweaking. __________________ cosmoline is an aphrodisiac!

09-03-2007, 02:04 PM	#11
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 5,358	scopes perform best when they are centered, for this reason dont use a scope with alot of adjustment just because your rings, and mounts are off. there is a time and place for scopes with large amounts of adjustment, but it is not for making up for bad gunsmithing.

09-03-2007, 11:01 PM	#13
toolman Mr. Fixit Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: abilene,tx Posts: 6,039 Blog Entries: 24	Another thing that hasn't been brought up, has the crest been ground off of the receiver ring? This is pretty common with Mausers and can really play havoc with scope mounting. __________________ cosmoline is an aphrodisiac!

09-04-2007, 11:15 AM	#14
ninwnc Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 435	The mounts are two peice. The crest is not ground off. I think I will go with the burris rings. The shimming sounds eay enough but he lapping of the rings sounds like something that has to be precicely done, and my machineing abilities are pretty much non existant. Nick

09-11-2007, 12:08 AM	#16
SwedeSteve Thor's Hammer Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 14,121 Images: 1	ditto on what everyone else suggested! Shimming has worked for me more than once. I also used the same shim material as Billy. Had plenty of it lying about...