Maybe I didn't kill my scope after all

[22junkie]

A few days ago I didn't know anything about scopes and now I know that I don't know anything about scopes.  I thought I had scope problems but actually I had a problem of not having enough information.  My background in shooting is really NRA small bore and I shot iron sights (apertures) only.  Somehow I didn't attend the meeting where everyone was told about barrel droop and what the effects and implications are.  I figured that if I am that clueless about putting a scope on an air rifle, then maybe someone else is also.  It looks simple enough, right? Well, it's a good thing I swapped the scope yesterday because the turret switch for the IR was flopping loose and about to fall off, but there is a good chance that maybe I just ran out of vertical adjustment..   In the few days I was without a scope on my new BSA I decided to watch some youtube videos on scopes and I started to get a little bit of a grasp on what has happened with me and scopes.  Today I mounted the new scope and took the rifle outside and on my first shot at the bullseye I hit 7 inches low. I did not do what I normally would have done which would have been to start turning the elevation turret. Today I took the gun back inside and made a shim from a business card and shimmed the rear ring and went back outside and the shim alone moved my poi about halfway up to my aim point.  I did some searching later and found a scope mount for droppers.  I'm buying 2 and they switch me from dovetail mounting to Weaver.  I didn't know that I was setting my scopes up to fail on me. 
https://www.pyramydair.com/product/utg-drooper-scope-rail-11mm-to-weaver-adapter-compensates-for-droop?a=4191

[maraudinglizard]

I recently purchase a Trail NP pistol and had a serious barrel droop. I'm using a 2 piece low profile scope mount. I used my laser bore sight for .17 cal. and shimmed the rear scope mount with plastic shims.  Problem solved, I have groups now 1 inch at 10yds.  The gun is new so it will take some time for it settle in.  This is first air gun that I had to shim for barrel droop.  The GTA library is the best place to start with for new air gun owners and the members here are very helpful. Be patient, it will all come together for you. Good luck. 

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?action=post;topic=81837.0;last_msg=782418

[Booger]

Do not over tighten the scope rings or the base. I use one of these: