Puzzled

[X-Hunter]

I have mounted and sighted in at least 50 scopes in my life but this one is making me feel really stupid. I purchased a scope base that was made by H&R to fit the Handi Rifle under the assumption that if the Weaver #82 base would work for the Handi Rifle or the Henry Single shot that the bases are interchangeable. I used Warne high scope rings to mount a Burris 2x7 Fullfield scope on my Henry Single shot rifle chambered in 308 win. I set my target at 25 yrds and the first shot was 2 feet high. Yes 2 Feet. I ran out of elevation adjustment and was still 1 foot high. I haven't measured center of the scope to the bore center but it's higher than I like to mount a scope. I did so to get better access to the hammer extension. I plan to use the rifle for hunting. I'm aware there is the parallax issue but please. The bullet is crossing the line of sight. What am I missing?

[Mistered]

What am I missing?

Did you bore sight the scope before actually shooting it?

[John E Davies]

Set the rifle, broken open, on a rest and aim the bore at a clear distant object like a street light. Sight through the barrel, you should be able to see it. See if the scope can be brought to bear on that object. That is bore sighting without usiing any tools.

I bet there is a problem with the base, assuming your scope is not toast. Was the optic working on a different rifle or is it a new acquisiion? Maybe try a different scope on that base.

John Davies
Spokane WA

[X-Hunter]

That is typically how I bore sight. When I do, it's at 50 yrds with bolt rifle on the bench. I didn't feel like breaking the gun down to do it. It's still chilly here in NH and I've used the 25 yrd method enough times on levers to know it works. It took one shot to see what I needed to do. (not arguing) I also have a laser bore sighter but the batteries are dead. You may be on to something with the scope though. I had the the scope on a rifle previously but took it off and mounted it on a crossbow I bought for deer hunting. It worked very well. I took it off the crossbow to mount it on the Henry. I suppose something could have happened to the scope on the hunting trip. I made two real nice kill shots the second day of my tip and didn't shoot it the rest o the week. As careful as I am, it may have gotten banged around on the 4-wheeler or in the truck on the trip. I do have a couple other scopes I could try to prove that out. I can't see anything wrong with the base and I checked the rings to make sure they are the same height It's going to be a couple weeks before I can get back out to the range.

[Ojaileveraction]

Your right on for 300 yrds or so.
Scope or rings are tweeked.

[X-Hunter]

I have never seen anything like this before, but I guess I will try a different scope.

[wingnut]

Scope base not seated, on backwards, rings reversed, rings fully seated in base?

Cheek weld not firm (not much weld that high), flinching?

[North Country Gal]

I would strongly suspect a base problem with the gun shooting that high at 25 yards. The fact that the scope was able to adjust out one foot of that elevation indicates the scope is probably not the issue.

[Mags]

.
also, mismatched ring height. even a 1/10 or less of an inch might go unnoticed.

Scope base not seated, on backwards, rings reversed, rings fully seated in base?

Cheek weld not firm (not much weld that high), flinching?

[Yornoc3]

It sure sounds like a ring or base problem to me, too. I also bought a base made for the Handi-rifles (Warne 981M), and it was fine, other than the mounting screw hole location on the early Henry single shots required a minor modification to clear the standing breech (which has been corrected on the new H 15 models). Once the scope was mounted, though, everything lined up just fine; I was on the paper. I wouldn't expect Warne rings to be off, either, but you never know.

[X-Hunter]

It's impossible to put the base on backwards. I didn't pull the base back off to inspect it but did check the rings. They are the exact same height. I did make sure the rings were down tight onto the base. Flinch? well I guess everyone flinches to some degree. I handload and shoot anyone of my 30 or more rifles from 22lr to 30-06 at least 1,000 rds a season. I consistently shoot MOA groups with a few of my rifles that will do it. I don't think the height is the reason for the problem but will almost certainly affect how well the gun shoots as long as I own it. I bought it to hut with but don't carry anything that I don't shoot well. This one may end up in the classifieds.

[ESquared]

Maybe some pics would help?

[Mags]

.
How does it shoot at 25 yds without the scope, using the open sights that came on the rifle?

....

[X-Hunter]

I should have added the fact that, I was so excited to shoot it after Santa Claus (me) gave it to me for Christmas I ran down to the range and took 6 shots with my old tired eyes and held a 2" group at 25 yrds. Shooting when it's 10 deg out saves ammo. After my cataract surgery in May I'll try to tighten that up.

[Mags]

.
I would think then not an issue with the rifle by itself ...
best wishes on your upcoming eye surgery!

I should have added the fact that, ... held a 2" group at 25 yrds. ...

How does it shoot at 25 yds without the scope, using the open sights that came on the rifle?

[X-Hunter]

I had a chance to get back to the range yesterday, and am happy to report that the Henry SS far exceeds my expectation as to it's accuracy. After being puzzled as I was, I pulled the scope rings off and mounted the red dot sight I took off my Buckmark. Took about three adjustments to zero in. I like the red dot but wanted the magnification of the rifle scope so I then mounted a Nikon Monarch 2x7 scope that I pulled off another rifle. After a few adjustments I had it shooting well enough to move out to 50 yrds and fine tune it. After 3-4 final adjustments the gun was zeroed in shooting a ragged hole. I didn't have time to put a fresh target out at 100 yrds but took a couple shots at some clay pigeons on the sand bank and as expected it was a couple inches high at 100 yrds. And am sure it will shoot MOA. The only disappointment was there is a little travel and a little grit in the trigger now. Might also be a bit light on the hammer. I had about 5-6 rounds that didn't fire. I shoot handloads so it may have been a batch of fickle primers. It shot a whole box of my pet loads and it shot them well.
I did not solve the puzzle, but a different scope fixed it. If the scope shoots well on another setup than I'll know it was the ring to base connection. I've never had this problem and couldn't see an issue. I like the holding power of the Warne rings but don't like assembling them. It's possible that the little aluminum bar wasn't seated and was holding the ring up a bit but it was hard to see it. It doesn't take much. I am 100% confident in the guns accuracy but have to shoot the same loads enough to be sure it will not misfire to feel good about hunting with it. Thank everyone for your help and suggestions. I will have to figure out how to post a picture of the target, but it will be a picture of one ragged hole anyway. Very pleased.

[Mags]

2thumbs.jpg (12.82 KiB) Viewed 4650 times

[Yornoc3]

Good news, for sure. Now to make sure about those primers .

[X-Hunter]

Good news, for sure. Now to make sure about those primers .

Well I did the trigger mod and I keep hearing the question about primer strikes from others. i wonder how many this has happened to. It's a different gun now but it needs to go bang!!

[Yornoc3]

I agree. I changed the trigger spring in my 30-30, but haven't fired it as yet, so I'm curious about it. I kept the small spring captured by the large spring in place (others may have removed it?), I'll accept a little more weight of trigger pull in return for reliability. And I also wonder if that small spring is the "rebounding hammer" function spring as well. I also have hammer spurs installed; the new Henry steel models are heavier than the aluminum were, and also heavier than the non-ambidextrous Uncle Mike's steel spurs I have. Might that slow the hammer fall enough to matter? I doubt it, but we'll soon find out. As you said, primer ignition must be reliable for a hunting rifle.