I decided to shoot my CVA Staghorn a little more. I had mounted a Simmons 4x Pro Diamond Scope on it and only had a chance to shoot it once. So I knew the scope was close, but wanted it sighted in at 50 yards.

So I decided to start with some 295 grain Powerbelts. I had some bad luck with them the last time, but then, this rifle never liked them a lot. It likes the 245 grain. BUT the 295 were on the end of the season sale. So I decided to cut the charge back to 70 grains and see if they behaved better (as was suggested).

I was aiming at the lower right corner bulls eye and touched off.



When I saw where it hit (#1) I was shocked. So I looked over the scope mounts. They were all in place, or at least looked to be. All seemed solid. So I swabbed the barrel and shot again (#2). I could see hitting high, but this was kind of spooky. So I swabbed and loaded 70 grains of powder and shot #3. Now I was stumped. This was only 50 yards. I mean come on!!!

My first thought of course was.. my brand new Simmons 4X Pro Diamond scope is junk. I was actually a little angry. So I had it on Warne QD rings and took it off. To prove to myself it was the scope, I shot open sights at 50 yards with the same load. A, B, & C. On C it was my fault it hit high as a chipmunk suddenly crossed the range path and I know I thought about it... the O indicated to me open sights.

I then checked the bases on the rifle. They were tight. I checked the rings and they also were tight. So I put the scope back on the rifle. I figured if it was shot, it would show up with the rifle's pet load of 90 grains of Pyrodex RS and 250 grain Shockwaves.

I decided since today was a bust, I would shoot for the large center target to really show me how bad the scope was. I loaded 90 grains of RS and the shockwave on a clean barrel and fired. Top of the bull where it is supposed to be... I swabbed, loaded and shot again. Top of the bull where it is supposed to be. That big hole in the center is five hits. So for the heck of it I did not swab on the last shot, and it hit just a little out of the hole, but again.. nothing to get concerned about.

I then swabbed the barrel clean and loaded 70 grains of Graf's and Son's 2f black powder and another powerbelt and shot for the lower corner bull again. #4 indicated where that hit. Not real bad, but I felt could have been better. So I took the scope off again and shot the last of my powerbelts with open sights, D & E.. Now I was stumped. Why would that scope not hold true on powerbelts.

I then put the scope back on and got some Hornady XTP Mag Express that came with their own sabots. I loaded 70 grains of Pyrodex RS and shot a three shot group at the lower left corner bull. Not too bad. I was swabbing between shots. So I kicked the charge up to 90 grains again and shot three more at the same bull with the same projectile (last of that box) Again, not bad...

Swabbed the barrel clean and broke out some 300 grain .430 Hornady XTP/HPs and some green crushed rib sabots. Using 90 grains I shot for the upper right bull and was pleased with that. For kicks, I shot the last one on an unswabbed barrel. It made a difference.

I then swabbed the gun clean and loaded .452 300 grain XTP's with some MMP hph-24 sabots and shot for the left top bull. Again, more then pleased with that.

So I sat there and thought, the scope is on. But why will it not shoot the 295 grain powerbelts with a scope, but with open sights.. its not bad at all..

I will let you figure this one out...