Question re zero

[chrisisthe1@lycos.co.uk]

Check the pellet is not spiralling! Been there before

[Rapid7Nick]

What's it like at say 20 yards or a bit closer. Does it shoot off to the opposite side. Maybe the barrel has had a knock, if supported by a barrel band. Have you compared with another scope and mounts to see if the same happens.

[Jonjon79]

Slightly canted scope or rifle?

[Rapid7Nick]

Would swapping the mounts over so dovetail clamp is on the side to see if the problem persists.

[simona]

Is the scope parallax adjustable? I've had scopes where the poi describes a circle as you adjust PA....

[Bad Beagle]

Thanks folks I think I understand all of those... except perhaps the one about spiralling pellets - how do I check for that ??

Ill try the various tests when I get the next opportunity for a plink !

[air-tech]

Thanks folks I think I understand all of those... except perhaps the one about spiralling pellets - how do I check for that ??

Ill try the various tests when I get the next opportunity for a plink !

You are probably canting the rifle towards your face (assuming RH shooter) and have zeroed for 30yd.

Everyone does this to varying degrees (literally).

Only by using a spirit level on the gun or scope will this be exposed, and you will be surprised, what you think is level without doubt will be off, and level will feel odd.

Crosshairs no help as scope may be canted and in any case in the field there is little to align them to.

[angrybear]

Thanks folks I think I understand all of those... except perhaps the one about spiralling pellets - how do I check for that ??

Ill try the various tests when I get the next opportunity for a plink !

Easiest way to check for spiralling is at night with a good shooting torch, against a dark background,
no need for a target just shoot over a field towards a bank/hedge 50yds away, the light should reflect back from the pellet skirt recess allowing you to watch it's flight path,
it's easy with .22/.25 but with .177/.20 you might need to paint the skirt recess with tipex correction fluid to be able to see it.

I think it's more likely to be scope/rifle canted, a good test is to draw a + on the target with a spirit level so the lines are exactly horizontal/vertical with the target mounted & use those lines aligned with the scope reticle cross.