Rifle Scopes Bushnell Tact Elite ERS 3.5-21 issue/question

[catalyst81]

Took a long range shooting course today. Scope performed and tracked well out to 1000 yds and back. We then set up a 1 mile target. While dialing for elevation the scope never bottomed out when I ran out of elevation. It just kept on turning. It also caused my zero to shift so that I started hitting way short. I was able to turn the turret back to zero with the zero stop functioning but my zero was still off at this point.

Is the scope broken? The elevation turret should stop turning and lock once I'm out of elevation right? Should I send it in to Bushnell or mess with it a bit? I don't want to make it any worse.

 

[VegasHKShooter]

First guess would be that the turret wasn’t tight on the actual adjustment knob that goes into the scope. In other words, the Allen screws or however the turret tightens/loosens to reset it to zero weren’t all the way tight. When the scope bottomed out, the turret kept turning on the adjustment stem. I doubt very seriously the scope is broken. I’d bet that it’s just loose.

Easy fix.

 

[Afkirby]

The ERS has a splined turret right? Seems like it would be hard to get that to “slip”

 

[VegasHKShooter]

That’s why it was a guess. I’m not super familiar with that scope’s zero reset. It was just that, a guess. Seemed logical.

 

[catalyst81]

I'll check them but I'm pretty sure they are tightened down. I think I'll probably send it back to Bushnell and let them tell me if it's something stupid I did to it.

 

[rtpguy]

Check the internal zero first. Possible but I doubt you stripped the splines. It's possible the top cap is loose or the internal Allen screws.
And yes, the ERS will stop the turret from turning at both ends of movement.

 

[_Windrider_]

The instructions for the z stop on the ERS are awful. I found this when I got mine. Try resetting everything and see what happens. I bet the scope is fine.

http://www.accuracy-tech.com/bushnell-zero-stop/

 

[supercorndogs]

The ERS has a splined turret right? Seems like it would be hard to get that to “slip”

Yes it does but if the internal screws for the zero stop come loose, or are loose, like when people don't adjust the zero stop properly. I am pretty sure they will free spin. If I remember correctly, I sold my last ERS last year, but I messed a one up when i first got one.

 

[catalyst81]

The instructions for the z stop on the ERS are awful. I found this when I got mine. Try resetting everything and see what happens. I bet the scope is fine.

http://www.accuracy-tech.com/bushnell-zero-stop/

They are and those are actually the instructions I used to set it. They were very helpful. After realizing the turret wasn't stopping I returned it to zero and the zero stop was still functioning correctly where I had set it.

Yes it does but if the internal screws for the zero stop come loose, or are loose, like when people don't adjust the zero stop properly. I am pretty sure they will free spin. If I remember correctly, I sold my last ERS last year, but I messed a one up when i first got one.

Checked the internal screws and they were tight. They loosen and tighten fine still, so not sure what it is. I've thought about resetting the zero stop and zeroing the scope again and checking the elevation to see if it stops, but I am worried about causing more damage than what might already have been done to it.

Probably will just send it off to Bushnell since its nothing obvious and have them take care of it since its free with the warranty. Getting too cold to shoot out here anyway. Got snowed on today while shooting.

 

[supercorndogs]

I saw a thread one day where the whole turret and everything came off. Maybe it was when you try to set the zero stop, but you don't turn it all the way until it stops, and re-tighten the screws it would free wheel. I can't remember exactly, but i bet something went or slipped in your zero stop. I would probably send it in too, but i would mess with it, because if you can't make it do it repeatably, then they might not be able to get it to do it so they can find the problem. I would at least re set it up and run it, see what happened.

 

[catalyst81]

I saw a thread one day where the whole turret and everything came off. Maybe it was when you try to set the zero stop, but you don't turn it all the way until it stops, and re-tighten the screws it would free wheel. I can't remember exactly, but i bet something went or slipped in your zero stop. I would probably send it in too, but i would mess with it, because if you can't make it do it repeatably, then they might not be able to get it to do it so they can find the problem. I would at least re set it up and run it, see what happened.

That's a good point. It's probably worth resetting the zero stop and seeing if the problem is repeatable. Weird thing is I was able to bring the turret all the way back to the zero stop right where I had it set.

 

[catalyst81]

Got the scope back from Bushnell today. Their notes say the scope was over adjusted 58 up and the maximum adjustment is 55. Not sure how that happened - I wish I had some idea so it doesn't happen again. They say they fixed it so I'll have to take it out and give it a whirl. Their notes also say they recentered the reticle and made a focus adjustment.