What's the matter with my scope?

VSS

VSS

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Been trying, on and off, to get my .243 zeroed, but struggling.

Seem to be able to get the elevation spot on, then, by trial and error, get the windage to within about 1 - 2 inches of where I want it to be. The clicks don't seem to move it a predictable amount.
So, when I try to adjust the final inch or two on the windage, lets say it's still 2 inches too far to the left, turn 8 clicks and hey-presto! the shot jumps about 2 inches too far to the right. So I try to adjust it back again and nothing happens - shot goes in same hole. So I adjust it a bit more, and suddenly it's gone too far to the left again.
In the meantime, all the fiddling about seems to affect the elevation, which creeps up a bit, so I'm back to square one.

Any ideas?
 
VSS said:
Been trying, on and off, to get my .243 zeroed, but struggling.

Seem to be able to get the elevation spot on, then, by trial and error, get the windage to within about 1 - 2 inches of where I want it to be. The clicks don't seem to move it a predictable amount.
So, when I try to adjust the final inch or two on the windage, lets say it's still 2 inches too far to the left, turn 8 clicks and hey-presto! the shot jumps about 2 inches too far to the right. So I try to adjust it back again and nothing happens - shot goes in same hole. So I adjust it a bit more, and suddenly it's gone too far to the left again.
In the meantime, all the fiddling about seems to affect the elevation, which creeps up a bit, so I'm back to square one.

Any ideas?
Click to expand...

I would sort by eliminating the variables - starting with the scope. Do you have access to a spare scope you can try? What is the size of the scope tube?

willie_gunn
 
Well I'm sorry to say it really does sound like a scope problem (assuming you have carried out all the usual checks like the action screws are tight, the barrel is free floating, the scope mounts are tight etc.)

Is this a new scope (or new to you)? Has it been working well in the past? Are you right at the end of your travel on your windage? Screwing the windage turret in you will get to a definite stop but when unscrewing it, it may continue clicking but not doing any good if the internal tube has moved as far as it can.

If it's not a "quality" scope, you could try giving the scope a rap with your knuckles after adjusting.

Here's a short video I shot with my phone camera about easy zeroing - probably "sucking eggs" but you may find it useful.

 
+1, but have already been typing...no egg sucking intended in following..
​Not come across the problem before personally (but have adjusted for other shooters), except for slipping mounts and genuinely bust scopes from dropping/impact. You haven't said what scope/range it is, nor what click adjustments are (guess 10mm at 100m?) but there is a drill for such an occurrence.

Firstly check nothing else has changed, ammo, moderator, bipod etc that could be causing the inconsistency; also image plane in your scope from your eye relief.
You will need to check your adjustment turrets are clean, free from slack and no ball bearings and springs have 'popped out' received damage.
Also that you are not inadvertently using the 'zero reset' stage on the turrets (on most quality optics) to adjust, it happens...
>Dismount the scope.
Counting the full range of clicks of the windage and elevation (lets say 64) and reset it back halfway (so 32); you now know your range of adjustment and that the gears are not broken - they will click for a very long time and never come to a stop... Takes time, but you are eliminating possibilities at the moment.
Check you have quality mounts and bases, check for fit/alignment/damage.
Re-centre and mount the scope, adjust for eye relief, check level and tighten rings
Remove bolt place the scope in a firm rest and bore sight the barrel onto your target 6 inch black circle is fine.
Focus your reticule
Adjust the elevation on the crosshairs first and then adjust the windage onto the centre/or bottom of black circle (6 o'clock position).
Fire your test groups, adjust POA onto POI using elevation first then windage. If this then drifts almost certainly your vertical reticule is not true parallel to the bore.
Check/repeat.

Problem persists? Take to your gunsmith/scope dealer (which might be quicker all round tbh and give you piece of mind that 'zero' and safety is retained!).

Good luck hope this returns to situation normal.
 
Last edited:
RickoShay said:
Like the video, very useful.
:thumb:
Click to expand...

Thanks Rick - I know the film quality is poor, I just filmed it for a couple of our new club members but over the years I've seen countless rounds sent down range by even experienced shooters trying to "zero" their scopes by walking the shots in a click or two at a time without any thought about the principals involved.
 
Sounds like a scope issue but worth checking the following to make sure:

1. Tighten all mount screws and stock lugs
2. Remove moderator if you use one
3. Try a different batch of ammo from another shop
4. Ensure you are allowing the barrel to cool for 5-10 mins after each 3 shot group (if its a spotter barrel)
5. Try a different scope or try that scope on another rifle you shoot well with
6. Try different mounts
​7. Take it to a rifle smith
 
Thanks for the replies and tips, and the video.
The scope is a 3-9 x 56E (illuminated) Tasco. Adjustment is 1 click = 1/4 inch at 100 yds.
I'm wondering if there's a thread stripped on the adjuster, or maybe it's come to the end of its travel?
I haven't got another scope to try at the mo, except the one on my .22 and I don't really want to take that off as it's set up pretty nicely.
Have eliminated my poor shooting from the equation by asking a couple of far more experienced rifle shots than me to have a go, but they had no more success.

How should I hold the rifle steady enough to try quick zeroing as per the video?
 
Last edited:
VSS said:
Thanks for the replies and tips, and the video.

How should I hold the rifle steady enough to try quick zeroing as per the video?
Click to expand...
The video was filmed with my phone camera through the scope of my .22LR Semi-auto Voere rabbit rifle. The scope was a basic 3-10 x 40ish FOX.
I just used the bi-pod and a loose sandbag at the back.
If you want a more substantial set-up for even better results then you could use something like this.
 
Firstly check the ocular eyepiece is not flopping about in the housing. Seems a common fault on these Chinese made Tascos. I brought a 3-9x40E to try out and it had this fault.

Although the Chinese can made very good stuff it seem they fail in quality Control and seem to ship everything they make regardless how good or poor it may be.

To be brutally honest I would strongly suspect that the scope is knackered.
 
Willie - it's a 1" tube.
Brit - I'm beginning to incline to the same point of view - knackered!

Got a more experienced stalking mate coming to have a play with it this w/e, but I suspect it's had it. Hope not though, 'cos funds a bit tight just now.
 
VSS said:
Willie - it's a 1" tube.
Brit - I'm beginning to incline to the same point of view - knackered!

Got a more experienced stalking mate coming to have a play with it this w/e, but I suspect it's had it. Hope not though, 'cos funds a bit tight just now.
Click to expand...

VSS

If your mate can't sort it out and you need another 1" scope to tide you over until you've saved up for a new one, let me know. I have a 6x42 and an 8x56 in the cupboard.

willie_gunn
 
willie_gunn said:
VSS

If your mate can't sort it out and you need another 1" scope to tide you over until you've saved up for a new one, let me know. I have a 6x42 and an 8x56 in the cupboard.

willie_gunn
Click to expand...
,
Great stuff. Top man. I'll see how we get on at the w/e, then may be in touch.
 
I try to avoid any scope with "E" in the title as it usually means its chinese tat, its not just Tasco branded ones either, just look on ebay, same scopes branded Tasco,Bushnell or Simmons, usually with an illuminated (red/green/blue)upside down Christmas tree reticle, with the generic AOE
 
Last edited:
Well, things are looking up (a bit).

Decided to start right from scratch. Wound the adjustments right in, then all the way out counting the clicks (512), then back in to halfway to centralise. Kept watching through the scope the whole time, with it lined up on the side of the house.
Interestingly, on the windage adjustment (the one that's been giving the trouble) the last 80 or so clicks as I wound out didn't move the crosshairs one bit! Once in that zone, it was effectively in a rut. Probably no thread at the end of the screw or something. I reckon it must have been sitting in that area all along, probably moving freely. Now I've screwed it in and out again it seems to be adjusting ok.

Manually bore-sighted at 50 yards, just to be sure of getting it somewhere on target, not over the horizon.
Fired a shot at 50 yards, which was about 3" low, but amazingly the windage was almost spot on! Adjusted the elevation using the method in 1066's video (thanks for that), and also gave a couple of clicks to the windage, then moved target out to 100 yards.
Next shot was spot on on windage, but a bit high, so again used 1066's method.
3rd shot was smack in the centre spot of the target!!!!
Probably a fluke, so fired a 4th to confirm, and this was within 1" of the previous shot. Interestingly, windage still spot on, yet previously this had been giving all the trouble, jumping about all over.

So, is it sorted? Maybe in the short term.
It's certainly now in the "dead fox" zone I should think, but I'll have to put a few more rounds through it before I'm comfortable that it isn't just going to wander out of alignment again.

Thanks to all for advice and offers of loans of scopes.
I may yet need to borrow one, but for the time being it's looking ok as it is. Fingers crossed.
 
Excellent result - Pleased you found the video helpful. It's had nearly 25,000 views in the last three months so zeroing problems would appear quite common, just disappointed I didn't make a better job of the video in the first place.
 
I would be now saving/gathering funds for a replacement. As after all you KNOW it has a fault and it's probably just a matter of time before something else goes on it.

Scout motto comes to mind:-

Be prepared!
 
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