Rifle Scopes New scope: Box to Comp

[earthquake]

Is there a thread on here, that covers how to get a brand-new high-dollar scope from the box to ready for a comp? How do you experienced guys do it, or what steps do you perform? I've seen a lot on mounting, but am wondering if there's more?

i.e.-

1. Outta the box inspection. (what to look for in functionality)
2. Mounting (mostly covered)
3. Setting eye relief and adjusting the focus ring on the back. (difference between the focus ring and the parallax adjustment)
4. Tracking/box(?) test. (could probably dig something up)
5. Calculating/figuring holdovers/holdunders for your ammo.
6. Else.....?

I looked in the FA sticky, but it was more of mounting, Mil vs. Moa, which scope etc. Just wondering what I should do with my brand new scope. In the past I've stuck it on the rifle and boresighted it and that's it. I now have my first 20x FFP high-end scope and want to do it right this time.

Thanks in advance for any guidance!

 

[BobinNC]

Re: New scope: Box to Comp

COfox,

I do my steps a little differently, and I'm sure there many valid ways to do it, but here's mine:

1) Out of the box inspection before mounting: Visual inspection of the entire scope, function testing of all knobs, turrets, parallax, focus, et al.

2) Mounting Steps:

Assuming bases on rifle, first:
- Set rings on base, I always choose the widest possible placements of rings on base, without hitting objective, turret housing or power rings, to minimize scope overhang.
- Set scope in rings, but do not tighten down ring half's yet.
- Check all clearances: Objective to barrel; erector housing to base; bolt knob to eyepiece.
- Perform test to determine if erector is optically centered.
Erector centering Procedure
- If not centered, center erector.
- Now level, set eye relief, and tighten down rings.
- Perform another function check of all knobs, turrets, and clearances.
- re-check eye relief in a variety of shooting positions, make a note of eye box sensitivity, in various positions and adjust as necessary.
- If further eye relief/box adjustment was necessary, recheck function and clearances again.
- Re-set turrets to zero.
- Bore sight scope, but do not reset turrets to zero, but do record settings.
- measure sight height and record for ballistics table.

3) Adjust diopter focus to your eye. Best done outdoors.

4) Sight-in rifle @ desired zero range.
- Record net differences (from optical center) used in elevation and windage to find your zero.
- Reset turrets to zero
- Put bore sighter back on to find and record grid square location of your zero.

5) Perform Box test(s)

6) Record all findings

7) Build initial ballistic tables using scope and chrono data

8) Confirm initial ballistic table by shooting at ranges and correct as necessary.


Those are my major steps....

Bob

 

[earthquake]

Re: New scope: Box to Comp

Bob, thanks for the reply! I really appreciate the time you took in answering. I forgot about the Shooting Voodoo site...lots of good info there.

-Jeff

 

[steve123]

Re: New scope: Box to Comp

Bobs got it covered pretty well but I'll add my pet peeves.

Being "comfortable" and relaxed goes a long way with marksmanship. So...

The first thing I do is make sure the ocular/crosshair is focused correctly. Next is setting the length of pull and cheek piece height on the stock if they are adjustable. Very next is getting down in the shooting position that you'll be using the most and set the proper eye relief. Walk away from the rifle for a while and come back to see if you need some fine tuning,repeat but now try the rifle in the other shooting positions you might use. Nothing worse than getting your scope all level,cross hairs plum and finding out when you go shooting that the eye relief wasn't optimal then having to do it all over again,LOL.