The scope set up on the rifle is bizarre, and why is the photo so blurry? Looks like it was snapped by a
110 camera from the 70s.

It's too far back, the hefty recoil would give you a serious eye injury, especially when shooting prone. Been there done that, got the scar to prove it! It's not fixed properly (red circle) to the forward
scope base, in my experience you could not sight it in using live rounds, too unstable, the recoil would knock the point of aim out every shot. This is how should look like, you cannot see it in this image but those clamps, (blue circles) have transverse screws to affix them to the scope base via those 2 slots (yellow) and clamp it to the mount. However the scope rings (red) are a little sloppy, I'd even up the gaps.


Here's a close up example

That screw rests securely in a transverse slot and that gap (blue) closes as you tighten it. The scope is then secured in the rings, I use a feeler gauge to get the gap (red) as even as possible then tighten all screws a little at time in a set sequence. Scopes, though robust are finicky, on a hot day in direct sunlight metal expands and the point of aim can wander. Drop your rifle on a hard surface then its back to the range to sight it in. Some YouTubers are saying you can disassemble then reassemble a scoped rifle and still shoot straight, doubt it, not with a bog standard sporting rifle anyway. Highly unlikely that rifle was used.