Rifle Scopes Scope Idiosyncrasies

[Grumulkin]

I would be interested to know what brands of scopes you feel are least likely to have the following characteristics:

1. First 3 to 5 shots after a change in scope settings the shots tend to be a bit wild, i.e., the group size will be noticeably larger in the first few shots after a setting change. I've found this common in Leupold VX-II and VX-III scopes and also have a Nightforce scope that's guilty.

2. On some scopes if you change windage, the elevation also changes. I just had this happen on a Swarovski scope today which, while noticeable, wasn't as bad as I've seen with other scopes.

3. If you get some scopes sighted in and set the gun aside for a week or so after a setting change, you'll find the scope settings have moved despite the gun being shot in similar temperature and wind conditions with the same load.

4. On some scopes, what is supposed to be a 1/4 inch change at 100 yards is really quite a bit different. I'm very pleased with my Swarovski scope since what I change on the scope actually is what also happens on paper. Leupold VX-II and VX-III scopes are not real good in this regard.

If there is some brand of scope that is very unlikely to have any of these bad habits, please let me know what it is so I can buy one or more.

 

[Crazy Dog ll]

Re: Scope Idiosyncrasies

What kind of rig are you using? That is,make ,model ,barrel,bedded,etc .

 

[Captain Kirk]

Re: Scope Idiosyncrasies

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Grumulkin</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
4. On some scopes, what is supposed to be a 1/4 inch change at 100 yards is really quite a bit different. I'm very pleased with my Swarovski scope since what I change on the scope actually is what also happens on paper. Leupold VX-II and VX-III scopes are not real good in this regard.
</div></div>

This is common with many scopes, I have found S&Bs, USOs, and NFs to have the most consistent adjustments, but again, you must test them. Any optic that has inconsistent adjustments will not inspire confidence.

Kirk R

 

[dcjs]

Re: Scope Idiosyncrasies

Any of the conditions you describe would be inacceptable for a serious tactical/LE scope (and if you ask me, except for maybe #4, for any serious scope at all), so this thread is probably going to develop into another "which tactical scope is best?" pissing contest.

 

[ranger1183]

Re: Scope Idiosyncrasies

if you change windage and the elevation also changes, that is indicative of the reticle (or reticle adjusting mechanism) bumping against the tube wall.

I haven't seen that happen in a good quality scope in quite some time now. Having mounts/rails skewed to the action/barrel axis will induce some of these problems. If the rail is at an angle to barrel, this can cause the reticle to be dialed to it's maximum limitation just trying to achieve zero. So when a windage change is made, the elevation is pushed in one direction - or - released to spring in another direction.

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

Re: Scope Idiosyncrasies

answers:

#1 you just got out of your shooting form to change settings on the scope - (bullshitted with the guy next to you, had a smoke, then shoot again). you'll see once you settle back in to your usual shooting form, you are right back to where you started, with no wildness. shooting from a benchrest vise type of rest that allows no movement of the platform between adjustments, this usually doesn't happen with the "better" scopes.

#2 refer to #1

#3 refer to #1 again

#4 MOA adjustments, rounded up to the nearest 1/4" so the rednecks can understand

 

[Grumulkin]

Re: Scope Idiosyncrasies

The scopes I'm using are Leupolds (VX-II, Vari-X, VX-III, Mark 4, Nightforce and Swarovski). Interestingly, a VX-II 4-12X has no change in group size with a scope setting is changed while a Nightforce scope does.

Since I have my own range with no one to distract me, I stay pretty settled down.

Guns the various scopes have been shot on include CZ, Blaser, Encore and Contender but I don't think that's particularly relevant since they're all plenty accurate to tell a difference in accuracy.

Some scopes also don't seem tight. In other words, with no change or adjustments of any kind they'll only produce so good a group while the gun is capable of doing better. A case in point was a 500 S&W Mag. I was working with. I couldn't get any better than 2 or 3 inch 100 yard groups with it until I put on a new Leupold VX-III handgun scope on it at which time the gun was suddenly capable of 1 to 1.5 inch groups.