Guys, for a Vari-X III, it should come back to zero every time. I use them with target knobs at long distances. And if it doesn' t go back to zero, it gets sent back to leupold. Which I have done. Here is a test i did suggested by some benchresters.

Shoot a group, move up 6MOA and to the left/ (or right) 6MOA. Shoot another group. Move down 12MOA, another group, to the right (or left) another 12MOA and another group, up 12MOA, another group. Then put back to the original position over 6MOA and down 6MOA. It should be a box, and come right back to zero. But it takes around 18 or so bullets. But its fun to test out your scope.

I already sent one back over this. If your getting close to the end of adjustment of your scope too, it can fail this test. Thats the reason I try to center the scope to get the most adjustment.