Abusing Scopes

[CShooter92]

For lack of a better thread title I've got a couple questions regarding Precision rifle optics. I recently mounted up my first Precision high end optic on my Remington 700. I went with a Razor AMG because I want to get more into PRS style shooting. I've been hunting and shooting for 20 years but this is the first scope that really has turrets and so far I love it. I fully understand the concept of dialing and holding and practiced at the range this past weekend. The scope seems to track very well. I'd dial 16 MOA, hold the 16 MOA line on the reticle and center punch the target at 100 yards. Is there another way to test tracking of the scope?

Now I'm wondering if there is a point where dialing turrets can cause damage to the scope? I realize the threads for the turrets are extremely fine. If you spin the turrets too fast or too much can this cause damage to the scope?

 

[EXTREMEPREJUDICE]

The purpose of exposed turrets is to adjust elevation (and wind-age........depending) for range, not just for initial zero. If you have to worry about wearing them out, you've purchased the wrong optic. Of course, with Vortex that is not a concern, dial away!

 

[CShooter92]

Thanks, That's pretty much what I figured given that other shooters use their gear a lot harder than me and is built to hold up. I'm just use to hunting scopes for 20 years and wanted to make sure haha

 

[bidet]

Is there another way to test tracking of the scope?

There is "shooting the box" or "shooting the square". Start with a known good zero and shoot a group of 5. Now, add 10 MOA left and 10 MOA up, shoot another group. Next, click 20 MOA right, shoot 5, followed by 20 MOA down and shoot 5, 20 MOA left and shoot five, and finally 10 MOA up and 10 MOA right, shoot 5.

You should have 5 nice groups, one at each corner of a square, and one in the center. That last group should superimpose on top of the first group and be in the center of the box, and the other groups should form a box with each side being 20 MOA. If the sides are not the right length, it could indicate a tracking error.

Obviously, you can do this with mils as well as MOA, just do the conversion.

 

[pell1203]

An alternative pattern, assuming an initial 100 yard zero, is to:

1. Shoot the known good zero
2. Dial 10 MOA left and shoot again.
3. Dial 20 MOA up and shoot again
4. Dial 20 MOA right, shoot again
5. Dial 20 MOA down, shoot again
6. Dial 10 MOA left, and shoot again

Groups #1 and #6 should overlay each other and be centered on the bottom side of the square. I recommend this pattern since you typically don't need to dial below a 100 yard zero and this would test your turrets were you most likely will be shooting at longer distances.

 

[Lowlight]

Here is a great way to test a scope and not have to get something crazy...



Put a 4ft level at exactly 100 yards, you can then bag the rifle in or use a sled style mount to hold it in place. Once you have it bagged in, place the reticle at the top of the level, and dial the scope UP. the reticle will move down the level and you can gauge the mounting and tracking making sure it follows the level straight, then, when it reaches the bottom count the number of clicks it took to move 4ft ...

Should be about 133 click with a mil scope or 13.3 mils ... or 45.6 MOA if you have a true MOA scope

 

[tnichols]

That's a test I've never heard of, thanks Frank! To the OP, buy the best optic you can afford and dial away. All optics can fail eventually, no matter what brand or price point (ask me how I know). Keep good data, run tracking tests periodically, etc... and you'll know when it's not performing as it should.

 

[briscoetab]

I do basically what Frank is talking about but I use a big piece of cardboard attached to pallet or a piece of plywood and I measure mil marks or moa mark and put dots. I put marks for elevation and windage then I mount it perfectly level at 100 yds and double check that all the marks are level.

I measure the 100yds with a tape measure and then check with laser rangefinder. Then put rifle in a vice and dial away and make sure every mark lines up. I've also shot the target like this as well just hold on the bottom make, dial up and every shot should hit the dots.

mabye over kill and a little more work than franks method but gives me piece of mind everything is lining up.

 

[GTVC]

Thanks Frank! That is a slick way to test that out!

 

[Mtndog05]

Thanks LL. All the shit your doing and you still find time to help us out.
Now about that post count

 

[locotrician]

Who gives a fuck about post count really?

 

[bruddah]

Here is a great way to test a scope and not have to get something crazy...



Put a 4ft level at exactly 100 yards, you can then bag the rifle in or use a sled style mount to hold it in place. Once you have it bagged in, place the reticle at the top of the level, and dial the scope UP. the reticle will move down the level and you can gauge the mounting and tracking making sure it follows the level straight, then, when it reaches the bottom count the number of clicks it took to move 4ft ...

Should be about 133 click with a mil scope or 13.3 mils ... or 45.6 MOA if you have a true MOA scope

Pretty cool trick.

 

[SRPowah]

Check out KSE scope tracking test stickied in the Optics subform. It will give you an idea of what people expect out of their optics.

 

[Mtndog05]

Who gives a fuck about post count really?

The post count question was posted in jest. I figured it was fairly obvious. Last thing I want to do is piss in someone's Cheerios especially Frank's. Perhaps it was in bad taste. Peace