Rifle Scopes Concern about scope damage because of to many clicks back and forth

[Peter83]

Hi snipers Hide

First of all, sry for my english, it is not my main langue.

Here is my question. I Have a Vortex Viper PST Gen2 5-25x50 ( Mrad ).

Some weeks ago, i decided to test the tracking on the scope. I found out, that the tracking was just a little bit off. I tested and tested just to be sure. After i was sure, i tested how much it was off. I also tested that the reticle was moving straight up and down when dialing and some other standard tests. The test was did by looking at a paper with marks on it set up at exactly 100m, and observe the reticle when dialing the turrets, so no shots fired that day. After i got home, i even testet the scope again in a collimator. I double and triple checked everything, and did the same tests ALOT. I really spend ALL of that day clicking on the scope. I must have clicked all the way up, and then all the way down again on the elevation turret at least 400 times. Now, my question is: Is there any chance at all that the erector tube spring have become weaken, or otherwise lost some of the strength because of all the clicks i made that day? Should a scope be able to withstand that kind of use, or is it abuse to a scope? Have i messed up?

Best regards, Peter.

 

[Spblademaker]

As long as you weren’t trying to force it past it’s stops. I’m sure you’re fine. You bought the Votex for its warranty, right?

 

[Peter83]

Thank you for the reply

I did not try to force it behind stops, but i did dial till i reached the stops

Well, it was certanly one of the reasons. However, i must admit i dont know if the warranty is the same for Vortex products in Europe, as it is in the US?

 

[Rob01]

No you will not damage anything by turning the knobs up and down. They are meant to be turned. The knobs are turned a lot more over a weekend match and after years of using scopes they still work fine. Don't worry about it or wise ass comments about warranty.

Being a little off happens at times with many scopes. I had a couple Leupolds that were a little off and I had a conversion for them when dialing. Now some programs can take that into consideration now. Knowing that is good and you can work with it.

 

[Peter83]

Thanks so much for the replys, i really appriciate it

 

[demolitionman]

Yeh man, no worries about running turrets up and down hundreds of times. I've done it with all my SWFA's, and bushnell dmr's. The guys shooting comps run their turrets up and down all day long bud. Carry on without fear.

 

[Peter83]

Thanks alot all IF the erector spring would be weakend on the scope, would the tendency be that the rifle would start to shoot lower, or higer from the zero? Just wondering ;-)

 

[WB300]

I have heard that the materials used inside the scope can have an effect on long term turret twisting. Can't remember where i read it, but some plastic composites may adjust perfectly when new, then "wear down" when the twist count goes up causing inconsistent tracking and return to zero. I have noticed this with lightweight scopes normally referred to as hunting scopes where the turrets are low profile, capped, and used a coin to adjust. Eventually just getting them zeroed becomes a game of "walking them in".

I will withhold the brands of scopes in case it's just a coincidence and my information is wrong. Hopefully The Dark Lord of Optics @koshkin will chime in on this.

 

[Shawn1492]

Just to double check. You said you tested the scope at exactly 100 meters. You did t accidentally use the American tall target test designed for testing scopes at 100 yards right? That would mess up your alignment on a tall target just a bit.

 

[Gunfighter14e2]

Thanks alot all IF the erector spring would be weakend on the scope, would the tendency be that the rifle would start to shoot lower, or higer from the zero? Just wondering ;-)

I've seen them go both ways depending the MFG. Learn to use the ret for everything, only knob once you run out of ret. You will be faster an if you can hold properly each time you'll be just as or more accurate. Knobing a scope takes time, an takes your eyes off the target,...

 

[j-huskey]

Erector thread wear happens slowly over time. It will show up as a lost quarter moa or .1cm click that is repeatable and unexplainable otherwise.

Springs dont wear as you posted, spring failure is normally a clean break on the spring.

These two issues are more often seen on cheap hunting scopes with soft internal metals or plastics.

It was notable on tactical type scopes in the 1980's, seen on several of the "latest greatest" in the 1990's market, and started to be seen much less in the 2000's. It is rarely seen now in the 2010 era.

The most common failure now is jumping the stop, breaking it, when forcing it.
Second is when the scope is older, the grease has hardened, and the scope is extremely cold, making the grease "sticky" worse, and somebody forces the movement, resulting in breakage.

Quit worrying, shoot and enjoy.

 

[Peter83]

Just to double check. You said you tested the scope at exactly 100 meters. You did t accidentally use the American tall target test designed for testing scopes at 100 yards right? That would mess up your alignment on a tall target just a bit.

i made the target myself