I had a similar incident the first time I tried mounting a scope. I was using a 2 piece Leupold STD system, and whatever I did the first time, royally F'd it up. Before going through the effort of shimming, reset your scope (turn it all the way in one direction, count the clicks to the opposing extreme, and half that going back) and remount your scope. Make sure all the screws on rings have equal tension, and the gaps are equal all the way around. Then re-bore sight it. I had a sneaking suspicion that the first time I mounted my scope I either did a poor job mounting the rings, or a horrid job bore sighting. Then take her to the range and go through your normal sighting in progression.
If you try remounting the scope and bore sighting it again, and your'e still hitting 8" low at 100, I would just upgrade your base. I think it would be worth it to upgrade the base, especially since you've already dropped some cheese on the Leupold set up. I personally don't like to McGyver anything on my gun. If it doesnt work, it goes back to the store.