HELP... Shots dropping off more than expected. Remington 700 .308 Hunting Rifle

[cajun]

I dont like zeroing off a sled. The gun doesn't recoil or react the same as shooting off a rest or bipod. I'm not saying this is the issue but it could cause your zero to be different. I would get some sandbags and shoot off that. You don't need a sled for a 308.

 

[BHINES1216]

Then here is quite probably your problem. Never weigh and strap down a led sled, in fact, ditch the sled altogether its a design that never should have been invented... rifles and scopes are not designed to be shot locked down to resist recoil and that will affect your point of impact. If it hasn't already broken your scope ditch the led sled and rezero at 100yds using sandbags. Then fire 3 at 200yds and your drop will probably be the usual 3-4inches at most.

Ugh. I just took a look at the scope and found this.

 

[cajun]

Sleds are hard on scopes and rifles. The recoil has to go somewhere.

 

[cajun]

So it looks like your scope moved in the mounts. I would redo scope mount and recheck off bags. Make sure the scope is not fubar.

 

[Koda_]

Ugh. I just took a look at the scope and found this.

Add proper scope mounting to the problem/solution. In this case, the loose ring clamps probably saved your scope from the weighted led sled use.
You need to remount the scope with proper torques on base, and rings. Ditch the led sled and rezero off a bipod, sandbags, front rest...

I still recommend a 6inch MPBR zero for your scope choice. Should give you a dead on hold out to 300yds without worrying about holdover. You could see if you get lucky using your reticles subtensions but that takes time and ammo to evaluate and your hunt is less than a month away, most times those subtensions do not perfectly match factory ammo trajectories.

 

[The Oregonian]

Add proper scope mounting to the problem/solution. In this case, the loose ring clamps probably saved your scope from the weighted led sled use.
You need to remount the scope with proper torques on base, and rings. Ditch the led sled and rezero off a bipod, sandbags, front rest...

I still recommend a 6inch MPBR zero for your scope choice. Should give you a dead on hold out to 300yds without worrying about holdover. You could see if you get lucky using your reticles subtensions but that takes time and ammo to evaluate and your hunt is less than a month away, most times those subtensions do not perfectly match factory ammo trajectories.

I think until his rifle gets squared away worrying about zero distance just adds more complexity and doesn't solve the original problem.

 

[FEENIX]

Sleds are hard on scopes and rifles. The recoil has to go somewhere.

Yep, esp. using too much counterweight, and the weakest link will be the first to go. In this case, it's the scope mounting, and hopefully, the scope is not damaged.

 

[BHINES1216]

So it looks like your scope moved in the mounts. I would redo scope mount and recheck off bags. Make sure the scope is not fubar.

I think the marks on the scope are more of stress cracks. I do not believe the scope has shifted.

 

[BHINES1216]

Yep, esp. using too much counterweight, and the weakest link will be the first to go. In this case, it's the scope mounting, and hopefully, the scope is not damaged.

How do I know if the scope is damaged or is this is just cosmetic?

 

[Koda_]

If those marks are actually cracks, your scope is damaged.
Internal damage the reticle will move during recoil, or possibly as you turn the zoom dial.

They look more like movement marks to me but can only see so much in the pics.

 

[BHINES1216]

If those marks are actually cracks, your scope is damaged.
Internal damage the reticle will move during recoil, or possibly as you turn the zoom dial.

They look more like movement marks to me but can only see so much in the pics.

Will the minor stress cracks affect performance?

 

[Koda_]

Will the minor stress cracks affect performance?

yes.

 

[BHINES1216]

yes.

Darn it. Not sure I have enough time before the trip to send the scope into Vortex.

 

[FEENIX]

Will the minor stress cracks affect performance?

Unfortunately, it is hard to tell the extent of a damage of the internal components from external visual inspection.