Sometimes, for various reasons, a rifle scope reaches its maximum vertical adjustment before the rifle is sighted in on target. In many cases, you can circumvent this problem by purchasing different scope mounts or rings. Also, turn the elevation adjustment and count the clicks from one maximum upper to lower adjustment to make sure the reticles are properly centered across the adjustment spectrum. Shim a scope only as a last resort because it creates uneven torque on your scope that could damage it.
Items you will need
Rifle
Scope
Scope rings
Scope mounts
Aluminum can
35 mm film
File
Drill or punch
De-greasing spray
Gunsmithing screwdriver
Target
Step 1
Determine where to shim the scope. If you need to lower the cross hairs, shim the front mount. If you need to raise the cross hairs, shim the rear mount.
Step 2
Obtain shim material. It won’t take much thickness to achieve the desired elevation. Aluminum soda cans and 35 mm film work well.
Step 3
Unscrew the appropriate mount from the rifle’s receiver. Always shim between the receiver and the scope mount base; never inside the scope rings.
Step 4
Cut the shim material with scissors or metal shears to the same size as the scope mount base. File the edges on aluminum cans.
Step 5
Drill or punch holes through the shim in alignment with the scope mount screw holes.
Step 6
Spray the shim, the scope mount base and the rifle receiver with a de-greasing agent.
Step 7
Place the shim on the receiver and attach the scope mount. Attach the scope inside the scope-mount rings.
Step 8
Align the cross hairs on the target and determine whether the adjustment worked. If not, add another shim.
Warnings
- If two shims don’t correct the problem, try new scope mounts. Too many shims cause too much play in the scope mount and impose too much torque on the scope tube.
References
Warnings
- If two shims don’t correct the problem, try new scope mounts. Too many shims cause too much play in the scope mount and impose too much torque on the scope tube.
Writer Bio
Joe Shead is a freelance writer specializing in outdoor writing. He has written for numerous national and regional outdoor magazines on various topics from hunting to fishing to his pet subject, shed antler hunting.
