Rifle Scopes CCW vs CW turret, preference and why?

SummitRoofs

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Jul 25, 2013
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I am looking into buying a S&B PMII 5x25. I am interested in what others prefer for the rotation of the elevation turret and why? Also, I was wondering if the MTC model is a good or bad option.
 
I stick to CCW on everything because it's most common and it's what I'm used to using. If you're under stress stick to what you know, if you're shooting casually then either will work equally well. Just remember that because CCW is most desired it's easier to sell and holds a little more resale value.
 
I would agree that the CCW sell better. I got use to CW off that bat. So I would say I prefer CW. I have an S&B and a hensoldt in CW. I get a little confused at first on a Bushnell ers I have ever time I use it.
 
I'll second what those two said about CCW. If you don't yet have a preference, make CCW your preference moving forward.

I prefer MTC. They're a little jumpy on a S&B, much better on premiers IMO, but I'd still rather have it than not. I have a hard time discerning my exact click without it. My eyes go googley when i try to look at the lines on the turret and see if I'm 6.2, 6.1, or 6.3. It's easiest for me to clunk at 6 and then count 2 clicks for instance.

I will add that technically you're not supposed to pull the turret on their locking turrets, but you definitely can. Once you do there are two pins sticking out to the side. The top is for MTC and the bottom is for your normal clicks. If you turn the top pin (just touch it and it will turn) 90 degrees you will disable the MTC. So you could have best of both worlds if you order it with MTC and decided later you hate it.

Might void your warranty though :).
 
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Thanks for 2 quick replies. Has anyone had experience with S&B MTC (more tactile click)? Is it a nice feature or not an improvement over S&B standard?

I have grown to love the MTC clicks on my Schmidt and Bender. I have gotten so used to it that I get confused when a scope turret does not have them.

Also, I go with CCW turrets since it resemblances the right tight and left loosey concept that all screws follow. So I now that I am raising elevation when I "un-screw" the turret and the turret rises.

I'll second what those two said about CCW. If you don't yet have a preference, make CCW your preference moving forward.

I prefer MTC. They're a little jumpy on a S&B, much better on premiers IMO, but I'd still rather have it than not. I have a hard time discerning my exact click without it. My eyes go googley when i try to look at the lines on the turret and see if I'm 6.2, 6.1, or 6.3. It's easiest for me to clunk at 6 and then count 2 clicks for instance.

I will add that technically you're not supposed to pull the turret on their locking turrets, but you definitely can. Once you do there are two pins sticking out to the side. The top is for MTC and the bottom is for your normal clicks. If you turn the top pin (just touch it and it will turn) 90 degrees you will disable the MTC. So you could have best of both worlds if you order it with MTC and decided later you hate it.

Might void your warranty though :).

I have the LT (locking turrets) and trust me, getting that off takes a TON of force. I could not get the turrets to move upward at all. And yes, it will ruin the scope and void the warranty. Kids, please do NOT follow what Brasscow is saying here about the Schmidt and Benders turrets.
 
I have the LT (locking turrets) and trust me, getting that off takes a TON of force. I could not get the turrets to move upward at all. And yes, it will ruin the scope and void the warranty. Kids, please do NOT follow what Brasscow is saying here about the Schmidt and Benders turrets.

1.) You weren't doing it right if it took a "ton of force" and you never even got it off.
2.) It will not ruin the scope.

The internet is full of people making claims of things they have no experience. I guess you are one of that type.
 
1.) You weren't doing it right if it took a "ton of force" and you never even got it off.
2.) It will not ruin the scope.

The internet is full of people making claims of things they have no experience. I guess you are one of that type.

No, actually I never did get the turret off as I did not even try. I reviewed things carefully with Jerry Ricker, Schmidt and Bender USA, Director Government Programs, while I was zeroing the scope and he advised you cannot remove them without the technician or him on the phone.

So what experience do you have, really? Do you want to tell the people at Schmidt and Bender they are wrong? I am so curious to hear your thoughts on the subject.

If you have nothing to contribute, shut the fuck up. If you have erroneous information to contribute, shut your hole and the hole you came from, you are not helping here.
 
OK ill go completely against the grain. I prefer the CW turrets. Righty-tighty for more elevation make more sense to me. I have 5 S&B and all are CW. Two are MTC, which I also prefer. Some dont like that it can jump or skip a click if you want just 0.1 mil, but it never bothered me. Infact zeroing is much easier not having to line 0 up perfectly plus i like a reference at every 1 mil.

When the new Vortex razor gII comes in, I dont know what im gonna do.
 
Thanks to all. I can see that CCW vs CW is a preference thing. Even so, I have learned much. I have also searched other threads. Seems that CCW is a bit more preferable, at least here in the U.S. Functionally they both do the same thing (in opposite directions) and have the same quality. Anyway, the replies have helped me in making a $3700 purchase. I dislike buyers remorse and it helps to get information up front.
 
I chose CCW for the simple fact that they have become the status quo. Some scope manufacturers don't even offer CW turrets (Steiner), and I didn't want to lose out in resale. The center of the reticle moves down when you dial for more elevation, so they really make more sense turning CW to me. But hey I think IPHY makes more sense for American shooters than milliradians and bolts should be fluted so that they appear to tighten when locking down (RH/RH LH/LH) so what do I know. Could you imagine if I bought what I thought was best...a CW IPHY I'd be married to it.
 
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No, actually I never did get the turret off as I did not even try. I reviewed things carefully with Jerry Ricker, Schmidt and Bender USA, Director Government Programs, while I was zeroing the scope and he advised you cannot remove them without the technician or him on the phone.

So what experience do you have, really? Do you want to tell the people at Schmidt and Bender they are wrong? I am so curious to hear your thoughts on the subject.

If you have nothing to contribute, shut the fuck up. If you have erroneous information to contribute, shut your hole and the hole you came from, you are not helping here.

So you're just confirming what I've already stated about you... You have zero fucking experience taking the turrets off. Maybe next time you'll keep your mouth shut and NOT contradict someone in a condescending manner who does have actual experience taking the turrets off and disabling and re-enabling MTC.

As for Jerry saying you can't remove the turret without a tech on the phone - all that that indicates is that you can in fact take the turret off. You just loosen the two zero screws and the set screw and the turret will come right off. Does Jerry own your scope? Do you follow all the rules? If the manufacturer of your couch said you couldn't place the couch in a living room but you really wanted it there, would you abide that generic rule that has zero enforceability? Is there a chance you will void your warranty as I stated in my original post? Absolutely. Is it likely you will damage the scope if you are careful and don't force anything? Not in my experience. Is it likely S&B will even know you had done it? Highly doubtful. I'd never advocate deceiving a manufacturer in order to benefit from a warranty you don't deserve, but if removing and replacing the turret had nothing to do with a future problem someone had, I would strongly advise against divulging impertinent information.

Edit: Just so that things are perfectly clear; I have removed the turret multiple times on my LT S&B scope. While doing so I have disabled and re-enabled MTC and seen no functionality loss. Scope still tracks - the top pin only engages the grooves in the ring for MTC. I have actual experience doing this.
 
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I was told CCW was popular because if you shoot right handed and so adjust the elevation with your left hand, then it is easy to remember that UP is in the direction your thumb is pointing when you place your left hand over the turret to adjust it. Works for me anyway.
 
I chose CCW for the simple fact that they have become the status quo. Some scope manufacturers don't even offer CW turrets (Steiner), and I didn't want to lose out in resale. The center of the reticle moves down when you dial for more elevation, so they really make more sense turning CW to me. But hey I think IPHY makes more sense for American shooters than milliradians and bolts should be fluted so that they appear to tighten when locking down (RH/RH LH/LH) so what do I know. Could you imagine if I bought what I thought was best...a CW IPHY I'd be married to it.

Choosing a turret direction because it's status quo? Good for sheep. It's also a false assumption. CCW turrets are status quo with Nightforce, USO, Vortex, and most US and Asian-manufactured scopes. European scopes like S&B, Hensoldt, Kahles, and Steiner give consumers a choice.

I have a Steiner 3-15x50 Military MSR with CW turrets. Special order only in the U.S., but certainly available. I have three S&B's, three Henny's, and a Kahles, all CW.

To the OP's question, I prefer CW because visually from left to right it's the way one counts up: 1,2,3, etc., and with CCW turrets, you're counting up in the other direction, from right to left, which to me is un-natural. It certainly is a preference thing.....
 
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Choosing a turret direction because it's status quo? Good for sheep. It's also a false assumption. CCW turrets are status quo with Nightforce, USO, Vortex, and most US and Asian-manufactured scopes. European scopes like S&B, Hensoldt, Kahles, and Steiner give consumers a choice.

I have a Steiner 3-15x50 Military MSR with CW turrets. Special order only in the U.S., but certainly available. I have three S&B's, three Henny's, and a Kahles, all CW.

To the OP's question, I prefer CW because visually from left to right it's the way one counts up: 1,2,3, etc., and with CCW turrets, you're counting up in the other direction, from right to left, which to me is un-natural. It certainly is a preference thing.....

I was told by Steiner the 5-25 was not available with CW turrets (maybe bad info), but there are certainly others that don't (Nightforce). But if it is a preference issue why am I a sheep for preferring to go with the same choice the majority of US shooters use? There are two major benefits exchangeable gear and resale speed and price. And how exactly does choosing a direction based on the way you learned to read them in grade school exalt "one" from the ranks of the herd?
 
I went with CW turrets because I like to pick up nice scopes slightly used when I can. The CW models tend to linger a little longer (I'm not online 24/7) and be priced a little lower. I'm a buyer much more than a seller. Functionally, it makes no difference. I just try to get everything the same, at least on my precision rifles.
 
I was told by Steiner the 5-25 was not available with CW turrets (maybe bad info), but there are certainly others that don't (Nightforce). But if it is a preference issue why am I a sheep for preferring to go with the same choice the majority of US shooters use? There are two major benefits exchangeable gear and resale speed and price. And how exactly does choosing a direction based on the way you learned to read them in grade school exalt "one" from the ranks of the herd?

My point was that you appear to be making your decision on CCW vs CW based upon what others are doing, as well as the potential for resale value, as opposed to criteria having to do with making the shot - which is what I believe is most important criteria.