I've heard it makes a diffrence. How much,I don't know? I've allways sighted my gun in with the ramrod in place on the gun,since that is the way I will shoot it hunting. The scope could be the diffrence in your groups at 50,100,yds. A 4X scope with heavy duplex wouldn't be the best for shooting small groups at 100yds. I've allways used a 3X9X40 scope on my muzzeloaders. When hunting in the woods,I use 3 power. If I'm out on the "edge" shooting at longer distances,in a open field,I will use a higher power setting( mostly 9 power) for better shot placement. Ron