Swapping optics

[Phlyan Pan]

So, recently I've been having issues with my scope that I have mounted on my AR. I basically use 2 different optics on it. I have a bushnell red dot and a fixed 4 power simmons shotgun scope. I like to use the red dot during the day because it gives me a quicker target acquisition but I like to use the shotgun scope at night so that I can see a little better with the magnification. Problem is, I can't seem to get the scope to hold zero.

After an embarrassing miss last week, I bought some winchester ballistic silvertip ammo and went to the range to shoot some groups and hopefully get my confidence up. After using up 3/4 of the box chasing the shots all around the paper and wondering if I've turned into a crappy shooter, I finally got a nice 3 shot group that I could cover with a dime. Once I did that, I pulled that scope off (it's mounted on this: Leapers 3-Point Carry Handle Mount with 1" Weaver-Style Rings AR-15, Flat Top Adapter Included Matte - MidwayUSA) and dropped the red dot on to re-zero it as well.

The red dot only took 2 shots to get pretty close, so then I put the scope back on just to verify that everything was kosher. I took 2 more shots with it and could not even find either of them on the paper.

So my question is, where's my most likely point of failure. I was under the impression that this mount should be stable enough that I could take it on and off and have it hold zero with no problem, but is that expecting too much? Or is it more likely that this scope is just not up to task (it's definitely not a high end scope). I'd rather not dump cash on a new scope if I don't have to but chasing shots around the paper with expensive match ammo just doesn't make sense either.

What would you do?

[darkvibe]

I've never used that mount but my zero is pretty much right on if I mount everything the same each time. If you're not using a torque wrench that might be the issue.

[bpipe95]

well my guess is the scope is hosed and the Chinese mount is more than likely of typical 3rd world country quality.

[tinker]

If you are reinstalling the scope in the same location on you're rail then it is probably you're scope. But before you throw it in the trash try a few things. Maybe they will help diagnose the failure point.
As jeff said, make sure the scope mount is tight, both to the ar's rail and the scope rings are holding the scope from any movement. And make sure the scope is installed at the same point on the rail.

If you leave the scope on the rifle and it doesn't loose it's zero between range trips, I would look closely at the mount as being the bad guy. It might not be precise enough to mount the exact same way each time.
Let us know you're finding..

[Phlyan Pan]

Originally Posted by tinker

As jeff said, make sure the scope mount is tight, both to the ar's rail and the scope rings are holding the scope from any movement. And make sure the scope is installed at the same point on the rail.

I do make sure it's always mounted in the same place so that isn't the issue. When I'm tightening the thumb screws I always make sure to push the mount to the forward edge of the travel within the groove before tightening it, and I try to tighten it approximately to the same amount of tightness each time just based on feel. Not a calibrated instrument for sure but it's the best I've got on hand (no pun intended).

So...I've got a new scope option picked out if it is indeed the scope, but let's assume the mount that I have isn't ideal even if the scope is the culprit. What would you guys recommend? Is there a mount out there that will swap out without tools and return to zero reliably that doesn't cost a huge sum of money? I know a lot of people love the LaRue mounts but I can't drop that kind of coin on a mount, it's out of the question.