Mounting my first NightForce

[Eric H]

Should have checked this first; I do not need a 20MOA rail as I have an Internal Adjustment Range of 40MOA. I have an additional 20MOA scale below the centerline. Getting a zero MOA rail today.

 

[Eric H]

 

[Danny Butler]

Hmmmm.... 20 mm base on backwards..... good one!

 

[Eric H]

LOL. Thats not possible.

 

[Hand Skills]

A zero MOA rail will only make the problem worse. If you are maxed out of elevation, going from a 20moa rail to zero MOA means you will just be hitting 20moa lower than you already are

 

[swe123]

Sounds like Zero Stop.

 

[Eric H]

The problem was that I was shooting high and couldn't bring it up high enough (target to impact group). Sorry if I stated otherwise.

 

[swe123]

So you are running out as you move the adjustment down?

 

[Tulsa Reiner]

Maxed out up. Used EGW 20MOA rail with 30mm weaver rings. Rings are all the way down. May have to go with NightForce rail and rings.

I mounted my 5.5-22 x 50 NF scope on a 20 MOA NF rail, but initially made the mistake (or I should say my gunsmith made the mistake), of using 30mm rings by another mfr.
After shooting a couple hundred rounds of 300 Win Mag ammo, I discovered the rings were allowing the scope to slide forward due to the recoil. After unsuccessfully trying to retighten the rings a couple of times, I broke down and ordered NF rings from Night Force. (No, I had not trued the original rings.) I've had no problems since.
And the suggestion re resetting the Zero Stop is an excellent one.

 

[Tulsa Reiner]

The problem was that I was shooting high and couldn't bring it up high enough (target to impact group). Sorry if I stated otherwise.

Is the 20 MOA rail mounted with the thick end to the back? It does sound like you may have it backwards.

 

[Eric H]

Thats impossible to do on any Remington one piece rail. Don't know any with same width holes and have various brand receivers.

 

[Tank308]

I wouldn't think you are going to want to use holdover for F-class. Have you ran the turrets all the way up and then all the way down making sure you have all 40 moa available. 20 on top 20 on bottom

 

[entoptics]

I wouldn't think you are going to want to use holdover for F-class. Have you ran the turrets all the way up and then all the way down making sure you have all 40 moa available. 20 on top 20 on bottom

Agreed. Confirm the scope is working properly. Lots of speculative suggestions in this thread, but almost nothing helpful for actually troubleshooting.

1) Measure how high your last group was from the target. Knowing if it's 2 MOA high or 20 MOA high is important information regarding your problem.

2) Dial the scope all the way down till it stops (e.g. clockwise on most scopes). This will move the reticle UP in the scope, but forget about that. Now, count the rotations up till you hit the stop at the top. Per the manufacturer (according to OP), this should be ~40 MOA. If you don't have something close to this, you're on the zero stop.

3) Confirm everything is installed properly with good fit on rings, receiver, etc.

4) If you have all 40 MOA, everything is in good order, and your rifle is shooting more than a few MOA high at 100 yds, then go ahead and ditch the 20 MOA base.

If it were me, and I was running a 12-42 scope for long range on a 6.5 Creedmoordrop (~30 MOA at 1000 yds with a 100 yd zero), I'd want every bit of adjustment I could get. If it was a few MOA high at 100 yds, I wouldn't worry about it. Zero it at whatever range the scope is a little off the bottom, and for the times you want to shoot in close, use your hold under reticle (the part above the horizontal in the picture).

JMO

 

[Eric H]

Thats exactly what I'm planning to do. Ditching the 20. Shooting 6 MOA high at 100yds.