Here's the story. Was hunting a predator contest last year and the truck was packed. We had all our guns in the bed of the pickup. Was doing 70 mph down the highway when the tailgate opened and my gun case slid out. I had a scoped 30-06 in the case.

I never got around to shooting it after that.

Then deer season started and I knew I couldn't shoot at a deer without shooting the gun first. So I've been taking my 30/30.

I went shoot the 30-06 a couple weeks ago at a 50 yard target, just to see if the gun was off and by how much. Well I was shooting about 6" right at 50 yards. I adjusted it to the left and suddenly it was way low. I fumbled with it for a while but finally gave up and went to the stand with my 30/30.

I figured my scope must have been damaged so I bought a new scope. At the same time I went ahead and bought a laser bore sight. Since I've never sighted in a rifle from scratch before, figured I'd save some ammo. I also bought a vice so I knew I was holding steady when I pulled the trigger.

I got home put in the boresight and the crosshairs were nearly perfectly aligned with the laser. So I then went into the field and could not even hit a corn sack at 50 yards with same rifle in the vice. Is it the shooter? the scope? or the gun? I have not put the new scope on yet. Don't understand why the boresight would be dead on and then I wouldn't even hit paper at 50 yards.

Bore sighting is only "approximately" sighted. You still have to zero it. Every boresight method is going to be slightly off. Move your target up to 25 yards and get it on paper.

I'd also check on all of the scope mounting hardware to ensure that nothing is loose or bent. Also check all of the lugs, bolts and screws that hold the rifle in the stock. If any are loose it's going to cause you problems.

If I'm reading correctly, you boresighted the old scope. It could be that the reticule in the old scope is all busted up and no longer functional. Put the new scope on and boresight, but only after checking and tightening everything.

Best guess guess from your story would be the scope has internal damage. Next possible issue is the fall and highway impact that the receiver/action to stock marriage has been compromised.

Thanks guys. I'll put on the new scope AND move the target up.

I knew the boresight wouldn't get me dead on. But I thought for sure I'd be able to hit a corn sack at 50 yards.

I dont't put much faith in the boresighters. I have one and only use the laser with the kitty cats outside. They might get you on the sack-----maybe.

I'm just figuring this out. I've never used one before. Just conducted a little experiment and everytime I take the bore-sight out and re-insert it, its off.

Will just go out and burn some ammo starting at 25 yards.

This is why I bore sight old school. Sandbag the rifle, pull the bolt, sight down the bore, make the scope match, replace the bolt, load the rifle, send a round. My tract record in 6 rifles has been no more than 6" off point of aim at 100 yards.

Also, I bet the scope that suffered the fall is done for.

Good info, thanks for sharing.

Put new scope on, bore-sighted, and started with 25 yard target, then progressed to 50 yard and 100 yard. I had checked ballistics before I went out and was looking for 0.5 to 0.75" low at 25, dead on to about 0.5" high at 50, and then dial it in at 1 1/2" high at 100.

Fired a total of 10 rounds. Last three shots were within 1" at 100 yards. I was satisfied. Should put it dead on from 180-200 and I don't plan on shooting beyond 200.

Was in a hurry to get to the stand. Will fire a dozen rounds or so next weekend from 150 - 200. Just to make sure. But with last scope that's exactly how it performed with same ammo.

Good to hear is was the scope and not the rifle.