Yep. I have the Wheeler scope alignment tool. Believe it or not the alignment is fine. It is just the angle that is off. Also lapped the rings with the Wheeler lapping tool. Didn't do anything to resolve the issue though.
I once had a hell of a time with a Winchester USRAC M94 XTR AE in 7-30 Waters. The gun was truly beautiful with a 24" bbl, deep blue, cut checkering and I wanted a really clean ring and base setup to compliment the rifle.
I had 2 readily available choices; all steel Redfield or Weaver tip-off rings and bases.
I went with the Redfield and quickly regretted it. My friend who happened to be the head gunsmith where I purchased the gun had 2 additional Redfield setups, all 3 had the same issue.
Someone somewhere at Redfield must have had the wrong dimensions given them when they drew up the CAD program for machining the bases.
Every one held the scope on a slightly less than parallel plane than the bbl.
Kinda disgusted I swapped my Redfield rings and base for the Weaver setup and bingo, the problem was solved.
I guess my point is……. if your No.3 has the original bbl is there an alternate base and ring setup available for it.
Anything can happen, maybe the base is indeed, machined incorrectly?