Rifle Scopes Athlon Cronus - need help

[Skok3y]

It appears that the guy I got my Cronus off off must have lost the screws in the zero stop.
1) Anyone know what size the screws are?
2) Anyone confirm that I can just pull a little harder to get the top ring off? It doesn’t want to come up and I am afraid to pry it. As you can see from the pic, it appears to be all the way down, but doesn’t seem to want to come up.

I went to adjust the zero stop and my Allen wrench wasn’t working on the 3 side screws. I tried other ones just in case and none were fitting. I pulled out the flashlight and looked in the holes and only saw threads. I was like What!? Then I pulled up a video to make sure I was doing it right and I can see that the ring is way lower than it should be. I can also see the screw marks just above that ring.

 

[Poorboyr]

Give Athlon a call. I'm sure they would send you some screws.

 

[Skok3y]

That’s what I figured I would do tomorrow. I was hoping someone would have some experience with the collar most importantly, because I’m sure it won’t be in the customer service notebook. I couldn’t budge that thing.

 

[scudzuki]

If it were me I'd install the elevation knob and run the turret all the way down to jack the zero stop ring past the burrs.
Apparently someone tightend the crap out of the zero stop set screws at some point. I've owned 2 different Cronuses, moved both around on a few rifles, setting the zero stop on each, and the ring moves freely once the screws are loosened. No need to use a breaker bar to tighten the zero stop set screws.

 

[pell1203]

Wouldn't be surprised if you send it to Athlon that it would get fixed for you at no charge. Great bunch of folks and excellent customer service!

 

[Skok3y]

If it were me I'd install the elevation knob and run the turret all the way down to jack the zero stop ring past the burrs.
Apparently someone tightend the crap out of the zero stop set screws at some point.

That sound like a great idea. I will try that. I was hoping there would be something easy to try. Going to call Athlon in a little while.

 

[Skok3y]

I called to ask for the screw size, and sure enough, he stopped me right there and asked me for my address to send me new screws. Nikon did that for me once when I lost the rubber focus eye piece.

He asked me to double check for sure that there were no screws in it, before turning the turret down because he said it would gouge the brass. I told him I was 99% sure there were none, but I would triple check. He also suggested that I could heat it up some to loosen it in order to pull up. I will give it a go tonight and see what happens. Doesn’t help much until the screws arrive or I’ll be back in the same boat.

 

[lash]

It sounds like your seller didn't do you any favors. I hope that this issue was disclosed before hand.

 

[USMC 308]

It's a 1.5mm allen key for the Cronus BTR zero stop.

If you have the wrong key, it will feel like the screw is not there. It's recessed pretty far too and difficult to see even with a magnifying glass....try a 1.5mm key and see if you get it locked into the screw. They might be there.

 

[Skok3y]

It sounds like your seller didn't do you any favors. I hope that this issue was disclosed before hand.

He didn’t disclose it. I purchased it on a local board, not on the Hide. I sent him a message, but haven’t heard back.

 

[Skok3y]

It's a 1.5mm allen key for the Cronus BTR zero stop.

If you have the wrong key, it will feel like the screw is not there. It's recessed pretty far too and difficult to see even with a magnifying glass....try a 1.5mm key and see if you get it locked into the screw. They might be there.

Thanks for confirming. I will double check my sets, to confirm that size. Is it a different size from the one on top?

 

[Skok3y]

Wait... 1.5 is tiny! That is a different size. I don’t think my set that goes that small is metric. I need to check that.

 

[USMC 308]

Yes, the one on top is much bigger.
There should be 2 allen keys.....small one for zero stop and larger one for knob removal. Bummer if not included and to the seller.....Not Cool!

Here's a little tip I use on my Cronus's that I stole from Vortex.
When setting zero stop....get your zero where you want it. Before removing elevation knob, turn elevation 5 or 10 clicks below zero.....or clockwise.

Now, remove elevation knob and set zero stop.

Reinstall elevation knob but line up the hash to account for the number of clicks extra you turned it. The number 0 will be to the left of the hash index mark. Once the elevation knob is tightened, turn it back to 0.....this is your zero.

Say you shoot different ammo or at different temp and your zero shifts....you can rezero the knob without having to undo the zero stop clutch. Just remember, if you lose track of your revs, turn all the way till the elevation knob stops and then back up to zero to start over.

 

[USMC 308]

Wait... 1.5 is tiny! That is a different size. I don’t think my set that goes that small is metric. I need to check that.

It is tiny....but that's the one.

 

[Skok3y]

Yes, the one on top is much bigger.
There should be 2 allen keys.....small one for zero stop and larger one for knob removal. Bummer if not included and to the seller.....Not Cool!

Here's a little tip I use on my Cronus's that I stole from Vortex.
When setting zero stop....get your zero where you want it. Before removing elevation knob, turn elevation 5 or 10 clicks below zero.....or clockwise.

Now, remove elevation knob and set zero stop.

Reinstall elevation knob but line up the hash to account for the number of clicks extra you turned it. The number 0 will be to the left of the hash index mark. Once the elevation knob is tightened, turn it back to 0.....this is your zero.

Say you shoot different ammo or at different temp and your zero shifts....you can rezero the knob without having to undo the zero stop clutch. Just remember, if you lose track of your revs, turn all the way till the elevation knob stops and then back up to zero to start over.

I got a better deal on it than I’ve seen anywhere else (still to date), so no keys didn’t bother me much with so many in the tool drawers. Unfortunately, I am pretty sure my metric ones aren’t that small. I tried the smallest one in the SAE set, but it didn’t catch. I still don’t think there are any screws in there, but I’ll check.
And thanks for the reminder in the zero stop extra range. I have read that before but forgot about it. I was just thinking I would use the reticle for that, but I may try it first to see how much adjustment I have in he turrets.

 

[USMC 308]

No Prob.....good luck. Hope you get it up and running.

 

[scudzuki]

I'm also skeptical that the setscrews have been removed.
I just went through this myself, zeroing and setting the ZS on a Cronus, and it took me several tries to find the correct tiny hex key to fit the ZS setscrews.

 

[earthquake]

I thought mine were missing too, but it was just my wrench spinning across the top. They are S-M-A-L-L!

 

[Skok3y]

I'm also skeptical that the setscrews have been removed.
I just went through this myself, zeroing and setting the ZS on a Cronus, and it took me several tries to find the correct tiny hex key to fit the ZS setscrews.

Well, you guys were right. The screws were there. Once I got an additional set of hex keys, chose the 1.5 and BINGO! I knew you all could help. Thanks so much.