Problem with Scopes

[deadon]

Sometimes when I adjust my scope,and this has happened from simons to nikon, The shot does not move, but the next one does. I have assumed that the kick of the rifle made it go in sinc with where I set it. I was told to tap on the scope several times with a padded hammer handle or something like that after resetting windage and elevation and that would bring it into alinement with the settings. Then I was told only to do that with scopes that actually clicked at each 1/4 inch adjustment. Has anyone found this to be a problem and what was your solution?

[Al]

what rinss and bases are you using?

I'm thinking there may be a bind in the scope tube.

[Richard]

What Al reported can in fact be the problem. There is very little clearance between the "actual" scope tube and the little inner tube (known as the erector tube) which holds your cross hairs. If your scope is not close to perfectly parallel with the inners of the rings, you can put a bind on the tube and it will interfere with the erector tube.
Another thing you might try is this.............If you want to move the cross hair "one" click? Go three or four clicks past it and then click back to the desired setting. Think of it this way Rusty.......If, in order to get to your desired setting, you have to turn the turret "counter clock wise" (in effect, your are loosening the tension on the erector tube) then definitely go past the setting by several clicks. Now as you turn the turret clock wise to get to that "one click advance" you are putting tension on the spring that holds the erector tube. Usually this will properly set the tube. When turning the turret counter clockwise, you are loosening the tension and the spring may not push it where it should go. Hope this makes sense. In any event, go past your desired setting and then back to it.
Richard

[northny]

What I lack in knowledge, I compensate for with a good filing system so I can find info when I want it.

In anycase, here is a longer answer to your question, from another one of richards past post. I found it very helpful to understand what you are describing Last paragraph in page 96 is the cliff notes.

dougva.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Savage&action=display&thread=9291

[deadon]

Thanks guys . Richard, I got it, that makes a lot of sense northny thanks for posting Richards explanation, nice read ;D

[youp50]

northny,

I am impressed. On the job I keep a note pad with pertinent instructions, jobs to complete and the like. I call it my 'memory'. It appears to me you have an excellent 'memory'.

[huntingmike]

Apr 14, 2010 16:52:05 GMT -5 deadon said:

Sometimes when I adjust my scope,and this has happened from simons to nikon, The shot does not move, but the next one does. I have assumed that the kick of the rifle made it go in sinc with where I set it. I was told to tap on the scope several times with a padded hammer handle or something like that after resetting windage and elevation and that would bring it into alinement with the settings. Then I was told only to do that with scopes that actually clicked at each 1/4 inch adjustment. Has anyone found this to be a problem and what was your solution?

I too have had this problem and used to tap the scope after adjustment. I just read the scope break in link and from now on I will adopt the break in method.
Mike

[huntingmike]

Apr 14, 2010 21:34:07 GMT -5 northny said:

What I lack in knowledge, I compensate for with a good filing system so I can find info when I want it.

In anycase, here is a longer answer to your question, from another one of richards past post. I found it very helpful to understand what you are describing Last paragraph in page 96 is the cliff notes.

dougva.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Savage&action=display&thread=9291

Thanks for the link. I think it is a great read and very informative.
Mike

[petev]

Apr 14, 2010 16:52:05 GMT -5 deadon said:

Sometimes when I adjust my scope,and this has happened from simons to nikon, The shot does not move, but the next one does. I was told to tap on the scope several times with a padded hammer handle or something like that after resetting windage and elevation and that would bring it into alinement with the settings. ?

This tapping of a scope is pretty standard. What it does is save you from wasting one shot to move the reticles, and then the next shot being at the corrected point. But, instead of tapping with the end of your finger, or with a rubber mallet, you can use the heel of your hand and give it a couple of so-so raps from the side of the scope and then from the top. This method has worked for me, and then the shot after adjustment, and the second shot after adjustment, are in basically the same place. I have found this method to eliminate the above quoted problem. Pete

[rossman40]

When we did the "Train the Trainer" in the Army for the ACOG we had the guy from Trijicon running us thru. After the initial adjustment he told us to bump the scope a couple of times. Most of the guys just kinda tapped the scopes, he grabs one of the rifles and starts wailing on it with a gloved fist like he is trying to knock out Mike Tyson while giving the sales pitch on how tough they designed and make the ACOG (maybe to justify the outrageous contract price).

I have to agree with Pete, while a rap with a knuckle may be too light and a hammer may be a bit overboard, a couple of bumps from the heel of your hand is just right or as we used to say "Goldielocks".

Scope tube binding may also be a factor or even the Signature Zee inserts. With my experiences you may only see it once. Your zeroing and everything is cool then all of the sudden you see a 3 MOA shift where the scope just settled in the rings/inserts.

[12ptdroptine]

yep I know what you are talking about with the 3" shift...But itstill keeps hanging up. On its way back to it's manufacturer for the second time...

[artjr338wm]

Rossman,
As a rule for years and years, I always have fired what I call a "scope adjustment settling shot" after every scope adjustment. Never had a scope fail to track to my adjustments after firing a "settling shot".

I adopted this because I simply could not bring myself to give my scopes a few whacks with the plastic end of my gun smith hammer as some recommended I do after a scope adjustment.

[cfvickers]

Switch to a weaver mound and this problem will go away. I have had the same problem with my .300 mag. and my 10 ML and leupold mounts.

[raf]

Apr 14, 2010 16:52:05 GMT -5 deadon said:

Sometimes when I adjust my scope,and this has happened from simons to nikon, The shot does not move, but the next one does. I have assumed that the kick of the rifle made it go in sinc with where I set it. I was told to tap on the scope several times with a padded hammer handle or something like that after resetting windage and elevation and that would bring it into alinement with the settings. Then I was told only to do that with scopes that actually clicked at each 1/4 inch adjustment. Has anyone found this to be a problem and what was your solution?

I've never had that problem with any of my scopes. I friends swears by taping his tube every time he makes an adjustment but IMO he's hitting it too hard.

[minst7877]

Thats why they make ring lapping kits. Lap your rings and a lot of the problems dissapear.

DC