I was told repeatedly not to be overly concerned regarding minor barrel droop when installing a scope?? Got news for those incorrect folks. The difference in unadjusted scope sight picture and open sights at 12 yards was 1/8 inch of rear screw adjustment (or almost 17" on the wall)... I did not want to chance over correcting my new scope to adjust for the discrepancy. I bought a Hawke 4x24: BDC DOT on Weaver rails and a matching Hawke Adaptor Base 3/8" to Weaver Ext. This scope is pocket sized, not overwhelming the large rifle.
The adaptor is as good as it gets. A recoil dam at the front of the adaptor that blocks rearward recoil and a screw/pin that fits the rear of the adaptor for adjusting the height necessary to counter the droop.
Photos of setting of the scope to compensate for barrel droop:
1. Hawke 4x24 BDC Dot illuminated scope:
2. Hawke Adaptor to factory scope mount:
3. Hacksaw cutoff of 2 extra unwanted lengths of adaptor and secured, but not tightened the 4 adaptor ramp screws; note the ramp is hinged at the front and screw adjustable for droop compensation at the rear of the ramp.
5. Aiming my factory sights, 12 yds away at a night light in an unusual rifle rest!
6. Put the Hawke Scope on with its 2 screws secure, but not tight, and aimed at the same night light, noted the difference of distance between the POA night light using factory sights and the illuminated Dot in the scope image on the wall (barrel droop). Then adjusted the rear screw to raise the rear of the Adaptor (Note: several times taking the scope on and off, adjusting screw until the image on the scope matched the factory sight at the night light on the wall). Finally removing one screw at a time to apply blue Locktite, then replacing in order to keep the alignment perfect.
7. Final assembly; I had to fine adjust the scope sights only 2" vertically and 1 inch horizontally (most likely because I only lightly secured the screws, not tightening during the adjustment process). Now only 2 screws on the scope to remove and replace the scope, keeping alignment in tact :
The adaptor is as good as it gets. A recoil dam at the front of the adaptor that blocks rearward recoil and a screw/pin that fits the rear of the adaptor for adjusting the height necessary to counter the droop.
Photos of setting of the scope to compensate for barrel droop:
1. Hawke 4x24 BDC Dot illuminated scope:
2. Hawke Adaptor to factory scope mount:
3. Hacksaw cutoff of 2 extra unwanted lengths of adaptor and secured, but not tightened the 4 adaptor ramp screws; note the ramp is hinged at the front and screw adjustable for droop compensation at the rear of the ramp.
5. Aiming my factory sights, 12 yds away at a night light in an unusual rifle rest!
6. Put the Hawke Scope on with its 2 screws secure, but not tight, and aimed at the same night light, noted the difference of distance between the POA night light using factory sights and the illuminated Dot in the scope image on the wall (barrel droop). Then adjusted the rear screw to raise the rear of the Adaptor (Note: several times taking the scope on and off, adjusting screw until the image on the scope matched the factory sight at the night light on the wall). Finally removing one screw at a time to apply blue Locktite, then replacing in order to keep the alignment perfect.
7. Final assembly; I had to fine adjust the scope sights only 2" vertically and 1 inch horizontally (most likely because I only lightly secured the screws, not tightening during the adjustment process). Now only 2 screws on the scope to remove and replace the scope, keeping alignment in tact :
