I don’t think I have found one of my guns to be ready for optical center. Even though we are paying, sometimes 1000s on these guns optical center doesn’t get you far. Like in Allen’s post it appears his scope is way off optical center.
I know for me I couldn’t never get perfect scope mount with adjustable rings. To many factors and parts moving independently between the rings and the scope. As I would align the bases flat, moved forward in the rail and torqued, I would end up being off after adjusting the custom elevation after torquing to spec. Scope was mounted using leveling side to side and up down. With gun level use a level on scope and a plum line, scope and hairs are perfectly level with the guns rail. But at bore site and zeroing I was also off (barrel to scope hairs) and have to adjust windage, sometimes considerably. This on $2000 FX guns a lot. The problem is the barrel is not in line with the action or rail. So common unfortunately. It’s something you must accept as if your scope is level this movement just loses you scope travel in one direction (which sucks) but will not change your POI once set.
I moved to one piece rings, lap them to make sure they are not defective, mount to a perfectly level gun to a plum line. Then use a well made bore sight and see where the red don’t is. If it’s not on the plum line with scope optical centered, it’s the gun or barrel not the scope.
As I said, can’t think of one air rifle I have found that had the barrel in-line enough not to have to adjust windage, some better than others. FX due to the barrel change options are the worse sometimes. Even the Leshiy 2 was not great. AGT, RTI, Kalibur a lot of them to some degree. Some better then others.
BUT once the scope is set and crosshairs level and gun level, just accepting the windage loss to one side I found fantastic and consistent accuracy with no POI changes close or far. I alway quickly check the gun is level with a bubble before pulling the trigger.
Also always do the bore sighting and sight in using a scope level led gun (once the scope is set). Then final zero distance with it all the same level. I see guys do all the work to level their scopes and then don’t level their guns when doing the final steps of actual scope to target work.
The starlingassn has a great tool to see if your barrel will line up, but first have your windage centered. See how far off you are. I just yesterday was setting up a wildcat MK2 sniper and the windage was something like 7-10 inches right at 40 yards off optical center. It’s the barrel. Have to accept it. My travel on windage is never more then 2-6 MOA anyway if I do not use hold. Doesn’t usual affect me, but really would matter with power, but those barrel to action always should be good to go for optic center on well made scopes, so it’s usually the rifle manufacturing.
I consider myself pretty well versed in scope mounting but always open to education. If my experience is not “normal” and someone sees something I am doing wrong PLEASE let me know. I am not going to shim a $2000 plus gun, but if my method is off I am all ears. Very open to learning.
