Rifle Scopes Splined Turrets vs Set Screw

[Reload10]

Just curious if anyone else shares this thought- I prefer the turrets with splines and a single, vertical screw to retain the turret (bushnell hdmr, athlon cronus) compared to the multiple set screw type like nightforce and zco.

My reasoning is I have some switch barrel rifles and often I'm adjusting zero a tenth or 2. With the splines I know it's perfect. With the set screws I feel like I could start to mangle up the brass post the screws turn into over time, and I struggle getting the turret markings perfect with the scope body line.

It's the one thing from keeping a zcomp out of my safe but Idk if it's a real "issue" or if I'm just being weird.

 

[hlee]

Set screws allow you to get that zero hash perfectly aligned in the middle when you set it. Splined turrets could be off by as much as 1/2 of a click, depending on the build of the scope. Set screws turrets could dig a hole, as you suggest, and I’ve had them slip when dialing. Splined turrets ain’t gonna slip in my experience. There is a simplicity to the splined turrets that appeal to me. But, the perfect alignment attainable with the set screw turrets does too.

 

[Steel+Killer]

I too have been in your shoes I play musical scopes with rifles/barrels also. What I have done is basically just let one rifle or barrel be the "master zero" the one where "0" is zero then for the other ones I figure out the slight offset and put that into my Kestrel or ballistic calculator. You could even write it down per rifle/barrel, but I just let the Kestrel keep track of it. Of course this method only works if you have a pretty good "return to zero" mounting system. I use SPUHR mounts torqued with a torque screwdriver so it is pretty dead on.

 

[Dthomas3523]

Just curious if anyone else shares this thought- I prefer the turrets with splines and a single, vertical screw to retain the turret (bushnell hdmr, athlon cronus) compared to the multiple set screw type like nightforce and zco.

My reasoning is I have some switch barrel rifles and often I'm adjusting zero a tenth or 2. With the splines I know it's perfect. With the set screws I feel like I could start to mangle up the brass post the screws turn into over time, and I struggle getting the turret markings perfect with the scope body line.

It's the one thing from keeping a zcomp out of my safe but Idk if it's a real "issue" or if I'm just being weird.

With the ZCO, you lock it down into the splines before final tightening. You should have zero issues with alignment.

 

[Reload10]

With the ZCO, you lock it down into the splines before final tightening. You should have zero issues with alignment.

I did not know the zco had splines! So the set screws are only for retaining the turret down? Not to keep it from spinning?

 

[Dthomas3523]

I did not know the zco had splines! So the set screws are only for retaining the turret down? Not to keep it from spinning?

I’ll tag in @gebhardt02 to answer this specifically.

But, take your turret, loosen the screws and then attempt to lock it down. You can feel the alignment splines.

 

[morganlamprecht]

ive been saying this for years, im with you....splined and a single top screw/cap (preferably thumb style like the EO Tech Vudu's)...to hell with the set screws

 

[gebhardt02]

Just curious if anyone else shares this thought- I prefer the turrets with splines and a single, vertical screw to retain the turret (bushnell hdmr, athlon cronus) compared to the multiple set screw type like nightforce and zco.

My reasoning is I have some switch barrel rifles and often I'm adjusting zero a tenth or 2. With the splines I know it's perfect. With the set screws I feel like I could start to mangle up the brass post the screws turn into over time, and I struggle getting the turret markings perfect with the scope body line.

It's the one thing from keeping a zcomp out of my safe but Idk if it's a real "issue" or if I'm just being weird.

It's not an issue with the ZCO scopes at all. There are splines internally, these give the clicks. The splines also serve during the locking function. The two set screws we use are flat on the bearing surface, and tighten against a hardened steel surface.

The set screws aren't going to dimple or otherwise create a deformation internally. The purpose of the set screws is to keep your turret and clicks aligned during use. So if you loosen them, the turret will rotate freely, but only when in the unlocked position (up).

With our turret, you will not be able to lock the turret down if the clicks/splines are misaligned. It's pretty easy system to use. Once you've done it once it'll be pretty clear. But there are no worries of marring the internal surface the set screws tighten down on.

I hope that clears up any confusion.