be viewed as both interesting and in- formative. In previous paragraphs I have
covered the causes of reticle instability within the scope as related to the erector lens system, and associated problems encountered while varying scope power via the spiral tube (zoom system), while using external indexed dials and knobs as controls. Here I will outline addi- tional aspects of how this may relate to that which I will term breaking-in of a rifl escope. I was testing a number of scopes,
In a sort of retro-analysis, a rifl e is used to test the scope … as the scope tests the rifl e. The author commonly uses a proven rifl e to test a scope. Pictured here is a perfect example where a heavy recoil 30-caliber Magnum rifl e, capable of 0.300 MOA accuracy, wears one of Sightron’s new 6.5-24x MOA II Long-Range Tactical/Varmint scopes at the proving ground.
displayed measurable shift. Measure- ments were made at both 100 and 300 yards. The lower range of reticle shift varied from zero to as little as a quar- ter minute of angle at 100 yards, to as much as three MOA at this range for the greater offenders … leaving the un- aware hunters out there wondering why they missed their target after changing scope power. The disconcerting aspect of this problem is some reticles remain unstable for several shots following power changes before settling down. To further prove this, I have
mounted problematic scopes on accu- racy-proven rifl es as I observed reticle movement for several shots following. Here I am, in effect, using the rifl e to test the scope. As a workable applied technique, I was able to arrive at a more stable reticle adjustment by turning the power selector ring from a lower power
to a higher power for fi nal setting. For example, you want to use 10 power … so begin with any setting below 10 and move upwards … same for any other power. If you want the lowest power on the scope, simply go to that power and add a fraction of a turn upward. This is all it takes for most zoom systems to track properly. It works. STILL MORE
INTERESTING OBSERVATIONS In a special test series culminat-
ing in a treatise for Precision Shooting Magazine (April 2008), “Proper Use and Break-In of a Rifl e Scope to Improve Performance,” I was able to apply a few more things that I had learned about the internal function of a rifl e scope … things that were no longer speculative. Following is a paragraph from that ar- ticle: “If what I’m about to suggest as a means of improving scope performance has not been used and tested, I might say the theory was ludicrous. Quite by fortuitous discovery, as I was testing rifl e scopes, I came upon something that really awakened me … I’d have to call it some sort of revelation.” Though I initially intended to
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provide the readers of The VARMINT HUNTER Magazine® a brief summation on these scope break-in fi ndings, it so clearly supports the foregoing theme here, a more-lengthy synopsis will be included. I believe these fi ndings will
varying in quality and price range, where I could select one in the medium price that would satisfy one’s needs on a varmint rifl e and perhaps one of my highly accurate test rifl es used at my range. I chose a variable power scope for this preliminary evaluation, which showed it was optically clear as I viewed a grid. I then mounted the scope into my test device and was awakened to see a signifi cant amount of reticle dis- placement on target, both from power setting changes and elevation adjust- ment, across the entire 100-yard target. The windage adjustment traced quite well. I made a brief record of the reticle tracking and proceeded to do something I had always wanted to do. With the scope securely focused
on a grid, I worked the power selec- tor ring until my fi ngers were almost sore. While performing this maneuver, I carefully observed the reticle move- ment across the face of the target. Lo and behold, the error gradually became substantially less. I continued turning the power selector ring full scale from 6.5 to 20x at least a hundred times. At the end of this series of scope therapy, reticle error had virtually stabilized. The power selector ring turned more smoothly and evenly at full scale and the reticle remained essentially stable on target. Something very interesting was taking place. At this point, while the scope was
on my test unit, I decided to try the same procedure with the offending elevation knob. The scope appeared to respond to the click adjustment without sluggish- ness, but it tracked somewhat erratically in its vertical travel up and down on the face of the target. In a like manner to the repeated
turning of the power control ring, I turned the elevation knob as the reticle
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