Spring piston rifle scope not holding zero

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Byahkin

Member
Jul 3, 2025
17
15
Georgia
Having trouble getting my rifle to hold zero.

Equipment:
Gamo Varmint .22 33mmOD/ 29mmID cylinder spring piston break barrel
Offset one piece scope rings
UTG bug buster 3-9x32, rear shimmed
H&N Baracuda 5.52mm 18.13gr

Shooting position:
Seated bench
Block for forward rifle support; no rear bag

Summary:
I’m looking for any advice or thoughts on zeroing my scope and getting it to hold zero. I got my air rifle about a month ago for pesting needs. Shot about 300-400 pellets through it. So far I have tried 3 different pellets and so far it seems to like barracuda 18s. Once I zero my rifle at 20yards, it can reliably shoot 1/2” groups at my shooting table and often drill the same hole. I’ve become pretty comfortable with my artillery hold although the heavy trigger sometimes makes for a tough shot particularly at ~30yards. Approximately <1” grouping.

Every so often, my zero will shift slightly when I check and shoot targets. One time I realized one of scope ring screws was loose so I checked and retightened them and then re-zeroed. Then another day it was off slightly again although holding a decent group. POI can be off both vertically and/or horizontally by 1” to 1-1/2” at 20 yards. It’s getting frustrating not being able to depend on my accuracy when I need the shot to count for pesting. Any advice?

-Should I loctite my scope screws?
-Is my scope broken? I have been trying to make sure the rings and scope are secured but also being aware of not crushing the scope. The rifle has quite a bit of kick.
-Is the accuracy shifting a sign that the barrel is still breaking in?

Really sorry for the long post. Tried to provide as much relevant detail.
 
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boscoebrea said:
On harder kicking, springer, a one-piece mount is better; they also come with 10 or 20-degree built-in them for barrel droop. That's the way to go.
Click to expand...
I found myself in a weird predicament during scope mounting. And just a reminder, this is my first air rifle venture and I was on a tight budget so lots of learning along the way. The eye relief on the UTG scope required me to choke up on the stock to get closer to the scope than I anticipated so I got a single piece offset mount that allowed me to push the scope further back. It was then during zeroing that I realized I ran out of elevation adjustment and learned about barrel droop. So in an ideal world, I would have loved to know all these details beforehand to 1- decide on a different scope or 2- find an angled, offset scope mount. But hey, atleast I got something to shoot with and I finally have a pest free backyard! (currently anyway)
 
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Hateful McNasty said:
Dont that gamo come with a gamo package scope on it out of the box ?
Click to expand...
It does but no AO or magnification. After reading and learning more, I realized that back in the day when my best bud and I would plink with his old Gamo, the reason we probably couldn’t get it zeroed at all was the scope probably came broken. So I budgeted a scope when I purchased my rifle. If the utg is broken, hopefully I can send it to back to utg for their lifetime warranty and use the Gamo scope as a backup.
 
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Try using 2 sets of rings.
IMG_20240509_171758_712.jpg
 
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Another scope mounting issue i found by experience is the mounts scope stop pin size .

scopestopscrewsize.jpg
Notice one is smaller diameter. The smaller ones are problematic . There loose in the scope stop hole of the guns receiver and shift easy also puts more force pressure on the hole from smaller contact area .

Another reason i make the scope stop hole shims is it make as snugg as possble pin to the hole fit . Less chance of recoil deformation or wallering out , But still i frown on using any mount with a skinny pin vs a fatter one . ( Opinion)
 
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Hateful McNasty said:
Another scope mounting issue i found by experience is the mounts scope stop pin size .

View attachment 576866
Notice one is smaller diameter. The smaller ones are problematic . There loose in the scope stop hole of the guns receiver and shift easy also puts more force pressure on the hole from smaller contact area .

Another reason i make the scope stop hole shims is it make as snugg as possble pin to the hole fit . Less chance of recoil deformation or wallering out , But still i frown on using any mount with a skinny pin vs a fatter one . ( Opinion)
Click to expand...
Ah, my utg scope mount stop pins are in fact smaller in diameter than gamo’s scope rings. Thanks for highlighting that weakness.
 
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Byahkin said:
Ah, my utg scope mount stop pins are in fact smaller in diameter than gamo’s scope rings. Thanks for highlighting that weakness.
Click to expand...
Thats what examples i used above the small pin is utg and the fatter one is gamo mount .

Matter of fact my better scopes are mounted on the gamo package one piece scope mounts . Lol
 
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Hateful McNasty said:
Any progress ?
Click to expand...
Kind of. I have checked the tension on the screws and marked them. I don’t know why I haven’t thought about that before. That takes a lot of the guesswork out of if something is backing out or moving. So far the rifle is holding precision. If the screws keep backing out too frequently, I’ll get a torque screwdriver and maybe some loctite.
 
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Byahkin said:
Having trouble getting my rifle to hold zero.

Equipment:
Gamo Varmint .22 33mmOD/ 29mmID cylinder spring piston break barrel
Offset one piece scope rings
UTG bug buster 3-9x32, rear shimmed
H&N Baracuda 5.52mm 18.13gr

Shooting position:
Seated bench
Block for forward rifle support; no rear bag

Summary:
I’m looking for any advice or thoughts on zeroing my scope and getting it to hold zero. I got my air rifle about a month ago for pesting needs. Shot about 300-400 pellets through it. So far I have tried 3 different pellets and so far it seems to like barracuda 18s. Once I zero my rifle at 20yards, it can reliably shoot 1/2” groups at my shooting table and often drill the same hole. I’ve become pretty comfortable with my artillery hold although the heavy trigger sometimes makes for a tough shot particularly at ~30yards. Approximately <1” grouping.

Every so often, my zero will shift slightly when I check and shoot targets. One time I realized one of scope ring screws was loose so I checked and retightened them and then re-zeroed. Then another day it was off slightly again although holding a decent group. POI can be off both vertically and/or horizontally by 1” to 1-1/2” at 20 yards. It’s getting frustrating not being able to depend on my accuracy when I need the shot to count for pesting. Any advice?

-Should I loctite my scope screws?
-Is my scope broken? I have been trying to make sure the rings and scope are secured but also being aware of not crushing the scope. The rifle has quite a bit of kick.
-Is the accuracy shifting a sign that the barrel is still breaking in?

Really sorry for the long post. Tried to provide as much relevant detail.
Click to expand...
go to Good Will store or a kids resale shop . look for small kids Jeans watch for $1 tag color (skinny legs ) cut legs off and use zip ties to seal in sand . make what ever size you need ,
 
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Ya, if the aluminum mount or ring is soft loctite dont help that . That i pictured above and most i just shoot and re toque then it stops compressing the hole shoulders and whatever else goes on and things stay put .. once its set in and cant move ot usually don't after that .

Everyone got their thing ya know

Usually once i get a scope mounted firmly in a mount or rungs i dont remove them frim the mounting . Just remove from gun to gun as needed .

Anyway it just a thing you got to deal with scopes and springers the more you do it and deal with it and learn some experience the less the hassle it becomes as you go far easier to do cause you then know what to look for and do . Too many just give up mad and give up air gunning over letting things get the best of them . Believe me .

I mount a scope today is nothing like my first time struggling like you are now with it . Pretty sure we all been there once at first go. Dont feel like the lone ranger .😉.
 
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@Byahkin - Might be a good time to upgrade your scope and rings.

This a decent scope that is springer rated

www.pyramydair.com

Mantis 3-9x32 AO Rifle Scope, Mil-Dot Reticle, 1/4 MOA, 1" Tube | Pyramyd AIR

We've got a great price on Mantis 3-9x32 AO Rifle Scope, Mil-Dot Reticle, 1/4 MOA, 1" Tube at Pyramyd AIR. Shop where the experts do!
www.pyramydair.com

One piece Leapers mount

www.pyramydair.com

Leapers Accushot 1-Pc Mount w/1" Rings, 3/8" Dovetail | Pyramyd AIR

We've got a great price on Leapers Accushot 1-Pc Mount w/1" Rings, 3/8" Dovetail at Pyramyd AIR. Shop where the experts do!
www.pyramydair.com
 
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