When it comes to target shooting or hunting, gun precision is KEY.
You want your scope to be as accurate as possible — no matter what gun you use!
But sometimes, things happen for various reasons, and your scope gets misaligned and experiences barrel droop.
I’ve wasted bullets because of this, and I felt very annoyed and hopeless.
So, how do you fix it? SHIMMING YOUR SCOPE.
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What is Scope Shimming?
Shimming isn’t a new concept, and this has been one of the best go-to remedies for many.
Shimming is probably one of the greatest things you can do when you’re experiencing barrel droop and need a quick fix.
All I had to do was move my scope within the mount, and I was done!
And as a result, I’ve got one rifle in your arsenal line that can make the best shot.
It helps them improve their shot and range, especially when the competition is tight.
Rifle Scope Shimming for More Windage & Elevation: 5-Step Guide
I used to think shimming was complicated, so I never bothered to try it.
With all the different rifle types and parts out there, you’ll probably feel more comfortable leaving the matter to an expert who can do it properly.
But with the proper guidance, you can do the shimming yourself!
You can align the scope on your gun correctly and get ready for the competition!
Don’t worry; shimming doesn’t take rocket science. As long as you follow the steps, you can adjust and fix your scopes in no time.
Step 1: Choose the Material of Your Shim Stock
The beauty of shimming is that you can choose almost any type of material for your shim.
In general, there are two things you need to keep in mind:
Flexibility
First, the material must be flexible enough.
I was surprised to know I can use many common everyday materials: Aluminum cans, brass, clothes, plastic bottles, or plastic containers.
Be mindful of how thick or thin the materials are.
In general, aluminum is one of the materials preferred by many, myself included, since it’s not too thin or thick.
Thickness
And second, the material thickness you choose should be able to fit the scope rings.
In my experience, this part took some trial and error, but with a little patience, you’ll find the right thickness soon enough.
Do you always have to DIY scope shims? Not necessarily. Today, you can already buy scope shims that fit the size and cut of your scope rings.
Step 2: Measure the Correct Size for Your Scope Rings
In my experience, finding the right shim size was quite tricky, especially since I was using a new scope.
The shims may be as thick as you want, but…
Does it fit nicely on your scope tube or the back or front ring? How many inches of shims do you need?
A big mistake I made was when my shims extended PAST the scope rings attached. That’s a big no-no!
You should cut the few extra inches off if that happens to you.
As much as possible, the shim should never extend beyond the edges of your scope ring.
But if you encounter this problem, don’t worry; there’s still a remedy.
You can use sandpaper to make enough adjustments to the shims, and you’re all set.
Step 3: Remove the Rifle Scope and Place Your Shims
I can’t emphasize enough how IMPORTANT it is to properly do this step!
You’ll be removing your rifle scope, and you want to make sure you set aside all the parts and screws.
Here’s how to do it:
Using a wrench, gently remove the rifle scope and detach the scope ring. Be sure to leave the bottom rings attached to the rifle.
Start placing your shims on the rear scope ring. Make sure to add the rear scope ring one at a time.
You can always add an extra rear ring later than have a hard time detaching the shims.
In general, I don’t recommend placing more than two shims.
But if you end up using two or more shims, you can use adhesive to hold them together.
Step 4: Bolt the Rifle Scope Back and Level
Once you’re happy with your shims, it’s time to place your rifle scope back.
But before you put the screws back on, sight your scope and check if it is LEVELED.
It will be hard to adjust the scope shims if you’ve already tightened the scope back to its reticle.
Save yourself from this dilemma, and level your scope correctly. Once you’re satisfied with the alignment, tighten your air rifle scope back in place.