Rifle Scopes Nikon Tactical Experience? Tech assist needed.

[2manygunz]

I just bought a rifle that came with the older Nikon Tactical 2.5-10 (1/4 MOA knobs). I understand it's a decent performer so, while I'll likely replace it in the future, I want to give it a go for now.

The knobs came in with elevation and windage dialed on, so I'm not sure where the zeroes are. When I went to return them to "zero" I noticed that the knobs can be dialed for several rotations, not just once around like my Leupold M4. On the knob tubes (not the knobs themselves), there are tick marks from 1 to 10, at both of which there are stops. (The knobs can do 10 revolutions from stop to stop.) When I dialed back to the closest zero from where they were, the scale indicated "2".

So, my question is: how do you read this scale (of the turret tube hashes)? I can understand 1 to 10 on the BDC, perhaps starting at 100 yds and going to 1000; however, this makes no sense on the wind.

Anyway, any help in understanding the scale on the tubes appreciated. Couldn't find a manual or any other details on this issue on the web.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

Re: Nikon Tactical Experience? Tech assist needed.

Damn dude...anyway...the 1-10 on the knob do not stand for different yardages like 1 for 100 and 10 for 1000...they are there to indicate Minutes of Angle. That knob is not a BDC reticle in the sense that you are used to so dialing to 10 means that you've dialed in 10 MOA while the little hash marks are there as revolution indicators.

 

[JBomb]

Re: Nikon Tactical Experience? Tech assist needed.

The numbers on the turret are your 1/4 MOA markings, each click moves the reticle 1/4 MOA.

The numbers on the body of the scope are just a base point telling you "your on 3 at your 100 yard zero and you need 20 MOA to get to XXX yards you need to turn the knob to 5" It just makes it easier than trying to count clicks...if you needed 20 MOA, than you would be counting 80 actual "clicks".

Try going to Nikon.com, you might be able to download a manual from their site.

 

[2manygunz]

Re: Nikon Tactical Experience? Tech assist needed.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Trigger Monkey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Damn dude...anyway... </div></div>

Yeah, I know. I've only shot the Mark 4. Go easy on me. I did re-read my post, and it wasn't very clear on what I was asking. Let me try again.

I know what the MOA are ON THE KNOB. I was referring to the hash marks on the turret tube. Those go from 1 to 10, counting the revolutions of the knob as you dial on or off. I just wanted to make sure that those hashes are just counts of the revolutions and not some scale or quick reference I should know about.

I was asking as I want to get out and zero it. Since the scope has 85 MOA travel in both wind and elevation in 1/4 MOA increments, that's a lot of turns. I gather I should just start wind a 42.5 MOA in and see what results.

 

[benjaminzero]

Re: Nikon Tactical Experience? Tech assist needed.

What turrets were on the Mark 4?

I suggest reading the optics FAQ thread. You will get answers faster than waiting for a reply here.

 

[2manygunz]

Re: Nikon Tactical Experience? Tech assist needed.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Zeroed1983</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What turrets were on the Mark 4? </div></div>

M3

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Zeroed1983</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I suggest reading the optics FAQ thread.</div></div>

Will do. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[2manygunz]

Re: Nikon Tactical Experience? Tech assist needed.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JBomb</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Try going to Nikon.com, you might be able to download a manual from their site. </div></div>

Good call. They don't have older products, but I read that it is similar to the Monarch X. I'll start with that.

 

[benjaminzero]

Re: Nikon Tactical Experience? Tech assist needed

I'll save you some time:

- The dashes on the scope tube are revolution counters. It is unlikely that one will be lined up when you are zeroed, but can still be used.

- As for the windage: same as the Mark 4, yours just move less per click @ 1/4 MOA.

- Starting with your windage in the center is a good place to start. If you cant boresight just take the bolt out and look through. Point the rifle at the target, hold weapon in place, and turn turrets until the crosshairs are on the target. That should get you on paper.

 

[2manygunz]

Re: Nikon Tactical Experience? Tech assist needed.

Yup. I got it now. Thanks for confirming they are revolution counters only.

I know the zero process. I would have expected to see the wind somewhere closer to middle, but to start, I'm just going to put it back where it was when it arrived, shoot it and see if I'm on paper. I'll go from there.

We can wrap this thread here. Thanks for the help guys!

 

[benjaminzero]

Re: Nikon Tactical Experience? Tech assist needed.

edited above

 

[2manygunz]

Re: Nikon Tactical Experience? Tech assist needed.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Zeroed1983</div><div class="ubbcode-body">edited above </div></div>

Thanks. Would have forgotten the "look down the bore" trick otherwise!