Sightron Scope

[Rocketeer77]

Since Leupold has dropped the competition line and closed the custom shop I had to fine another scope to use in UBR. Several shooters recommended a Sightron S3 Competition scope for my rifle. It has .1" clicks so I thought I'd try it. Well, I bought one, new and once installed I noticed the crosshairs were tilted left. I rechecked the scope level and it was dead on. I had some load testing to do so went with it. With each shot, the crosshairs tilted further and further to the left and eventually was an X. Contacted Sightron who said ship it back for repair, which I did. It came back a week later and it was installed once again and leveled off the turret. Once again the crosshair was tilted left exactly the same amount. At least this time it didn't rotate further. I am contacting Sightron once again. I wont be buying another.

I have a level vertical line drawn clearly on a fence outside, I level the rifle off the scope mounts using a decent setup in the rifle vice. Once that's all good mount the scope, we have already sorted out eye relief beforehand and we now level to the outside reference line. With the rifle kept horizontally in the vice, we also have a small level that's clamped to the barrel. Scope turrets are useless BTW Sighteon scopes are very good quality IMHO.

 

[Seabeeken]

I use a Tipton Standing Ultra Gun Vise. I level the rifle by using a level on the picitiny rails which are either machined into the receiver (Lone Peak Arms and BAT actions) or screwed to the receiver (Tikka actions). All you need to worry about is left/right square. I then attach the Wheeler scope mounting barrel level tool to the barrel making sure the two levels match. I now can remove the level from the rail and know that the rifle is squared through the mounting process. Attach the bottom rings to the rail. Lay the scope into the rails with all caps, zero stops etc removed so that you can put a level directly on the erector. Slide scope forward or back to set eye relief. Level the scope to the barrel level. Tighten the screws on the top rings going slowly back and forth between the screws to make sure there is even torque keeping the scope perfectly level. You can now check the reticles. If the reticles are not squared you have a scope with a manufacturing defect.

Of all the scopes I have mounted, mostly Swarovski, Zeiss and ZCO I have had only one with an off kilter reticle. That scope, a Zeiss V6, was sent back to Zeiss. Zeiss checked and everything on the scope was in proper working order but the reticles were indeed off, by 1%, according to the technician. Even though 1% is within the Zeiss tolerance range they agreed to send me a new scope and check it before shipping. Needless to say I am very impressed with Zeiss's customer service.

My exact process! Mine was tilted 5 moa.
Im not putting down sightrons quality.
Im just saying i got a bad one and it has been back twice now with the same problem. Take it for what it is.
Ive installed dozens of scopes via the exact process shown above with no issues until now. Ill be competing in br with it so i want it right.

 

[quandary]

Scope turrets are useless........

Are you talking turrets with the caps on or are you talking turret as in the top of the erector? If you are talking turret with cap on you are correct. If you are talking the top of the erector you are woefully mistaken.

 

[quandary]

My exact process! Mine was tilted 5 moa

Thats a really bad production example. Not sure how that could pass any QC check.

 

[Rocketeer77]

Caps

 

[Rocketeer77]

My exact process! Mine was tilted 5 moa.
Im not putting down sightrons quality.
Im just saying i got a bad one and it has been back twice now with the same problem. Take it for what it is.
Ive installed dozens of scopes via the exact process shown above with no issues until now. Ill be competing in br with it so i want it right.

We have had Leopolds well out when using the turrets rather than the crosshairs themselves

 

[quandary]

We have had Leopolds well out when using the turrets rather than the crosshairs themselves

I would say that does not speak well of the quality of Leoplod.

 

[Turpentine21]

My exact process! Mine was tilted 5 moa.
Im not putting down sightrons quality.
Im just saying i got a bad one and it has been back twice now with the same problem. Take it for what it is.
Ive installed dozens of scopes via the exact process shown above with no issues until now. Ill be competing in br with it so i want it right.

They need to replace that scope and I would certainly tell them that. Tell them either to refund your money or replace the scope. Or lose a customer. They will do that to keep the customer happy.

The last one I sent to them they asked me what they could do and gave me options. One of which was a refund. I understand your position though. It is very frustrating to have to ship an item back. On that note I once asked them to pay for the shipping both ways when they didn't offer to. They did, no problem. They also gave me a brand new model scope that was a serious upgrade when I sent a unit in that they had discontinued. And they ate the $250 difference in price. They'll take care of you. I hate that you have had all the trouble. They do make a good scope. Particularly for the money.

 

[Rocketeer77]

I would say that does not speak well of the quality of Leoplod.

Newer model Leopold scopes aren't that good in our experience, unfortunately so

 

[Turpentine21]

Newer model Leopold scopes aren't that good in our experience, unfortunately so

Unfortunately you are correct.