Horizontal group movement - could it be my quick disconnect rings?

[wahoowad]

I have a Hawke 4-12x40 Airmax EV mounted in a pair of these UTG quick disconnect rings. I am using it on my new HW110, which I have only shot a few sessions. The first shooting session I had a to make a couple scope corrections after zero which I attributed to shooting and learning the new gun. Yesterday with about 300 shots on it, I was getting a good bit of horizontal movement of groups requiring me to make a scope adjustment to bring it back to zero several times. Groups would move anywhere from 1" to 1.5" left or right, although was still shooting a tight group. So I'm saying the group is moving and I'm not getting random flyers. I would get back to zero and then resume plinking, but after a few magazines I'd notice I was off and verify it shooting another group.

The ring caps were tightened to 15 in-lbs. The bases have that QD lever so I could not torque like I normally do other rings, but I had adjusted the little screw so the QD snapped close firm when closed. I looked closely and the surfaces of the ring seem to have good contact with the mating surfaces of the weaver rail. I don't see any room or chance for movement.

Typically what causes horizontal group movement? Stock screws and moderator were checked and properly tightened. Is this pretty much scope and mount area to focus on?

[wahoowad]

I forgot to mention this is at 35 yards with the rifle on front/rear sandbags.

[Tucobenedicto]

If you have a couple of normal scope mount,just test with those.if the problem is still there,adjust windage say ten clicks to left,then back 10 clicks,just to see if the reticle returns to the same spot.

[tennx]

Just a FYI I have the UTG quick release on my QB57 side lever...zero problems...good luck

[FuzzyGrub]

I have many of the QD UTG rings with no issues.  I do tighten the allen head after the QD has been clamped closed. 

[wahoowad]

I have many of the QD UTG rings with no issues.  I do tighten the allen head after the QD has been clamped closed.

It feels tight when I close that lever. And I'm also shooting a 11 fpe PCP so there is hardly any vibration/recoil to move anything around. I followed the instructions and tightened that allen head before I closed the lever, adjusting it to get it firm. I will try with my torque wrench and see if it is at least 30 in-lbs (my preferred base torque setting)

[FuzzyGrub]

I get about a half turn more after they are closed.

[elh0102]

I would shoot the rifle with another scope. I think it is extremely unlikely that the rings are the problem. Sounds like a scope issue to me.