Rifle Scopes Do it yourself -- Zero Stops

Hellbender

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Apr 23, 2008
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Lebanon, Missouri
I see posts all the time asking about this, so thought I would post a simple how-to:

It's not voodoo or anything, all you are doing is stopping a screw (your elevation adjustment) from going into a nut (your scope) too deeply.

Here is one way, a simple O-ring (gotta find the right size and thickness) dropped into the bottom of the turrent base....

2011-04-20_10-58-22_613.jpg


2011-04-20_10-59-05_532-1.jpg

Here's another, more precise way, buy a nylon washer (or several) from Lowes or wherever, and drill the center hole and/or cut down the outside to fit the size you need.

Then you can file or sand down the thickness to get exactly where you want it to stop.

2011-04-20_11-02-33_803.jpg


2011-04-20_11-02-47_665-1.jpg


Note the two different locations, the O-ring is down in the bottom of the groove and the nylon washer is at the top. It doesn't matter, either one will work either place.

Shown is a Leupy scope, but most brands are similar. Some scopes can be drilled for a small setscrew in the top of the turret that will touch when bottomed out.

But they all do the same thing, they are simply stopping a screw from going too deep into a nut. Look at it that way and gets simple.

CAUTION: If you install one of these and bottom it out with a ham fist repeatedly, you may end up stripping the fine brass screw threads, take it easy. I've heard Nightforce will not warranty this damage, it will cost you if it happens.

Also, there is no need to get it precisely on "0", I usually leave mine a full 1/4-1/2 TURN under zero. This also keeps me from smacking the bottom every time I adjust, possibly damaging the fine brass threads.

All I want is a way to know I am not a full turn or more under zero.
 
Re: Do it yourself -- Zero Stops

thanks for the info that is a big big help, the nylon washer looks like the best arrangement to me. I have seen the set screw arrangement and to me that looks like it could gall the stem everytime it bottoms out.
 
Re: Do it yourself -- Zero Stops

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: many shots</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks. That is a great Idea! Now if I just could figure out how to lock the windage so that it could not accidentally get moved. </div></div>

I use a little piece of duct tape.
 
Re: Do it yourself -- Zero Stops

Other option is to us a external E ring or retainer. find one that fits really tight and and snap it on the stud where ever you need to.

Granted it could slide if you forced it but it takes quite a bit of force to slide one.

Just know that when you feel resistance stop trying to force the knob