Author Topic: This may be a dumb question but has anybody ever used one scope for two barrels? (Read 1106 times)

flinginairos · « **on:** February 04, 2009, 06:11:49 AM »

I was wondering if anybody has done this with success. I have an Encore with a .50 ML barrel with a Leupold 3-9X40 mounted on it with the Leupold quick release base and rings. I am getting a 7mm-08 barrel and was wondering if I could get another base and just swap the scope back and forth between them. I was thinking I could mark the setting for each barrel and just return the scope to those when I switch. I would have to make sure it was good before hunting obviously but I think it would work. What do you guys think? You can tell me im dumb if you want too

bustedknee · « **Reply #1 on:** February 04, 2009, 06:20:52 AM »

Yep.
I like the QD rings for my muzzle loader so I can remove the scope for cleaning or hunting in an area that does not allow scopes.

The argument that most people make against doing this is having to resight the scope each time.

I look at it as good practice. It doesn't take but a few minutes to check zero if you mark the setting as you suggested.

Also, my laser bore-sighter puts it so close I can hunt with it.

flinginairos · « **Reply #2 on:** February 04, 2009, 06:51:22 AM »

The main reason I was thinking about doing this is because I dont have the funds for another scope at the moment. Later on I will get another one but for now I think I will just use what I have. Should be fine as long as I mark my setting and check it before launching lead at critters

hogrdr · « **Reply #3 on:** February 04, 2009, 11:01:51 AM »

Uh Oh never done that but I use two scopes on one barrel

Leupold QR works great for me!
Hog

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #4 on:** February 04, 2009, 12:49:19 PM »

Unless you are really lucky, it doesn't work. B&L used to make non-adjustable scopes that mounted on adjustable mounts so you could use 1 scope on several guns.

Graybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** February 04, 2009, 01:10:51 PM »

The question isn't dumb but the concept is in my opinion.

You must resight each time you change it from one to the other. Sure as stated you can go buy a bore sighter to get it closer or just count the clicks in each direction and record them and hope. If you do either you'll still need to resight it tho it will just be closer and take fewer shots. Buying the bore sighter is money you could have spent toward the next scope.

The ammo you basically waste resighting each time is also money that could have gone toward another scope. Sighting in isn't practice that hapens after you get sighted in.

I do not like the concept and the vast majority of folks who've tried it have found they don't either. some seem to like it but darn few.

flinginairos · « **Reply #6 on:** February 04, 2009, 03:12:09 PM »

Quote from: Graybeard on February 04, 2009, 01:10:51 PM

The question isn't dumb but the concept is in my opinion.

You must resight each time you change it from one to the other. Sure as stated you can go buy a bore sighter to get it closer or just count the clicks in each direction and record them and hope. If you do either you'll still need to resight it tho it will just be closer and take fewer shots. Buying the bore sighter is money you could have spent toward the next scope.

The ammo you basically waste resighting each time is also money that could have gone toward another scope. Sighting in isn't practice that hapens after you get sighted in.

I do not like the concept and the vast majority of folks who've tried it have found they don't either. some seem to like it but darn few.

I agree with you, it would probably be a pain in the long run. Hunting season is a long way off so I could probably just put the scope on my new barrel to get familiar with the new caliber and pick up another scope before season for the ML barrel. I just picked up a Mueller APV for my Remington 597 .22 for 95 bucks and I am EXTREMELY happy with it for the money. It is just as clear as my Leupold and alot cheaper. I think when the time comes I will get another to save myself the trouble

Keith L · « **Reply #7 on:** February 04, 2009, 08:11:12 PM »

Take your scopes out at dusk or dawn. See if that $95 scope is as bright as your Leo. I have never found a cheap scope that passed the test in low light. If your hunting is like mine that is when the critters are out and moving around.

I don't think you will have problems with this on a 7MM08, but that quick detach Leupold mount is the weakest one they make. The precision pins that connect the rings to the base are small, and I have seen them break with heavy recoil.

flinginairos · « **Reply #8 on:** February 05, 2009, 01:18:23 AM »

Quote from: Keith L on February 04, 2009, 08:11:12 PM

Take your scopes out at dusk or dawn. See if that $95 scope is as bright as your Leo. I have never found a cheap scope that passed the test in low light. If your hunting is like mine that is when the critters are out and moving around.

I don't think you will have problems with this on a 7MM08, but that quick detach Leupold mount is the weakest one they make. The precision pins that connect the rings to the base are small, and I have seen them break with heavy recoil.

Believe it or not, the cheap scope is just about as bright. I really didnt think it would compare but it really is a nice scope for the amount I paid for it. It is alot better than many Simmons I have tried that cost alot more. There is alot of good feedback on the Mueller APV, I wouldnt buy it if it was junk

I had never thought of those ring pins breaking. I wouldnt use them on a heavy recoil gun to begin with but for my ML and 7mm-08 I am sure they will be fine. They are great on the ML because it makes it alot easier to clean

Thanks for the input!

Grumulkin · « **Reply #9 on:** February 05, 2009, 02:53:32 AM »

I do it all the time except I use Warne bases and QD rings rather than Leupold's since I had a problem once with the Leupold version on a 375 H&H Mag. barrel.

The advantages:

1. Buy one good scope and use it on several barrels. If you buy a good scope with target knobs and record the settings and the ballistics between loads are not extremely dissimilar, a few clicks and the scope will be right back where you want it when you change barrels.

2. It makes packing for a trip easier. Being able to take a scope off means no strain on the scope mounts during rough airline baggage handling.

3. I typically use a particular barrel for at least several months without changing barrels. If you have a scope dedicated to a particular barrel, you still need to check the scope settings occasionally to be sure things are on so I don't see shooting a few groups for practice and scope setting a waste of ammo.

4. You can pack an extra scope for a trip that you can easily use if your usual scope malfunctions. You could also have one scope set for one load and one for another should you have the need to use 2 different loads.

The disadvantages:

1. I don't use use them with heavy recoiling handgun cartridges because I doubt they would hold up to the recoil. With those I go with SSK's 4 ring T'SOB mount/rings.

OLDHandgunner · « **Reply #10 on:** February 05, 2009, 03:20:09 AM »

No it's not a dumb question. I have thought about doing this from time to time, but I always end up spending the big bucks for another scope.
Think about it this way. You muzzleload hunt for 1 or 2 weeks. Then your nice Leupold 3x9 scope & QD rings set in the gun case for the other 50 weeks until you use it again.
So if you like the scope or on limited income, sure this is the way to do it.
I have a Burris (Sako) Quad scope for my contender's with Warne QD rings & bases that is made just for this reason to switch on to the other barrels, but I just leave it on my 22 rimfire barrel. Is this dumb on my part?

charles p · « **Reply #11 on:** February 05, 2009, 04:29:55 AM »

Get your self a straight jacket. Try it on to make sure it fits just right. One scope on two barrels is sure to drive you crazy.

Grumulkin · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2009, 12:46:31 PM »

Quote from: charles p on February 05, 2009, 04:29:55 AM

Get your self a straight jacket. Try it on to make sure it fits just right. One scope on two barrels is sure to drive you crazy.

I've been switching scopes between barrels for some time now and it hasn't driven me crazy...at least I don't think so.

Graybeard · « **Reply #13 on:** February 05, 2009, 01:20:36 PM »

Quote from: Grumulkin on February 05, 2009, 12:46:31 PM

Quote from: charles p on February 05, 2009, 04:29:55 AM
Get your self a straight jacket. Try it on to make sure it fits just right. One scope on two barrels is sure to drive you crazy.

I've been switching scopes between barrels for some time now and it hasn't driven me crazy...at least I don't think so.

Some folks are just easily amused.

hogwire · « **Reply #14 on:** February 06, 2009, 06:43:42 PM »

I've used the same scope on my old Savage switching between 3 barrels. Never had any problem gettin resighted in. The secret is to use a good quality scope with repeatable reliable settings. I've had a few that didn't adjust as advertised or with any consistency. Anyway work with what you have, that's what I do. As I get a little more "flush" I buy more scopes but really didn't have any problem with switching. As long as all the scope holes are drilled correctly from barrel to barrel you really shouldn't have much trouble gettin resighted. One might say this is a different matter from an Encore but a barrel on a bolt action must be screwed into place and if the barrel is not bored true could cause a lot of trouble getting sighted in. Also the bolt gun's mount is on the receiver but I can't see this as much of a difference once everything is correct and tightened down. I feel it is a fair comparison but not exact, would have small but different problems if any trouble arose.
As for a Meuller being as clear as a Leupold, you must be the luckiest guy on earth! I have Leupys and one Meuller and it don't even come close. They are not intended to but they are a very good buy for the money. I have a 8.5 x 25 Meuller, a VXII 4x12, and Mark 2 6x18. The Meuller doesn't even belong in the same category with the Leupys. My Mark 2 is clear and useable all the way to 18x and the Meuller is basically useless above 16x. There is a good deal of abberation around the edge and it is a lot harder to find a target in. I'm glad you got a good one!!! I also have a SII 4x16 Sightron and I'm not too fond of it either. It falls somewhere in between my Leupys and my Meuller.

flinginairos · « **Reply #15 on:** February 07, 2009, 02:56:36 AM »

Quote from: hogwire on February 06, 2009, 06:43:42 PM

I've used the same scope on my old Savage switching between 3 barrels. Never had any problem gettin resighted in. The secret is to use a good quality scope with repeatable reliable settings. I've had a few that didn't adjust as advertised or with any consistency. Anyway work with what you have, that's what I do. As I get a little more "flush" I buy more scopes but really didn't have any problem with switching. As long as all the scope holes are drilled correctly from barrel to barrel you really shouldn't have much trouble gettin resighted. One might say this is a different matter from an Encore but a barrel on a bolt action must be screwed into place and if the barrel is not bored true could cause a lot of trouble getting sighted in. Also the bolt gun's mount is on the receiver but I can't see this as much of a difference once everything is correct and tightened down. I feel it is a fair comparison but not exact, would have small but different problems if any trouble arose.
As for a Meuller being as clear as a Leupold, you must be the luckiest guy on earth! I have Leupys and one Meuller and it don't even come close. They are not intended to but they are a very good buy for the money. I have a 8.5 x 25 Meuller, a VXII 4x12, and Mark 2 6x18. The Meuller doesn't even belong in the same category with the Leupys. My Mark 2 is clear and useable all the way to 18x and the Meuller is basically useless above 16x. There is a good deal of abberation around the edge and it is a lot harder to find a target in. I'm glad you got a good one!!! I also have a SII 4x16 Sightron and I'm not too fond of it either. It falls somewhere in between my Leupys and my Meuller.

I forgot to mention that my Leupold is the cheaper VX-I so that might have something to do with it LOL. I was playing with my Mueller last night and on 14X it was actually really clear when I hade the objective set right. I would never need that much power but its nice to know that I have it. I am sure that the Mueller doesnt compare to the VX-II or higher. For the price I think they are nice. Would I put one on a high end rifle that gets used a ton, probably not. But for a gun that only gets used maybe two weeks out of the year it would probably be fine. I bowhunt 95% of the time during season. I only pull the gun out when they are getting the upper hand LOL

Keith L · « **Reply #16 on:** February 07, 2009, 04:10:39 AM »

I have had to many frustrations with poor performing scopes. My hunting is restricted to a few specific times per year, and I don't want to waste the experience with scope problems. If I hunted all year round I may be able to chin the poor scope because tomorrow I could hunt again. I use Leupold or Bushnell Elite on rifles, and Burris on pistols so I don't have to swear. And yes, I still have a few cheapo scopes around. They don't get out much any more.

tigercat · « **Reply #17 on:** February 08, 2009, 12:03:10 PM »

check out "maine vue optics" alot clearer than leopould scopes and cheaper have not heard anything bad love the one i got

flinginairos · « **Reply #18 on:** February 09, 2009, 08:05:39 AM »

Thanks for the advise guys! I bit the bullet today and ordered a Nikon Prostaff 3-9X40 with the BDC reticle. It was a package that came with the Prostaff 550 rangefinder for $282. I need a new rangefinder anyway so it seemed like a good deal to me. I cant wait to get this barrel set up and start shooting!

oldelkhunter · « **Reply #19 on:** February 09, 2009, 09:41:41 AM »

I could almost see it working with similiar trajectory cartridges for example a 270 win and a 7 mag. You would still have to sight it in everytime you changed the barrel and that would get old after awhile. I have a prohunter muzzleloader and it has its own dedicated scope that will be mounted in Warne detachable mounts most likely for travel and for cleaning. Every other encore barrel I purchase will have its own scope.