Exercising your turrets

[BoydAllen]

Back in the day, there was an article in Precision Shooting in which the author presented information about the effect on scope adjustment tracking accuracy. He used a collimator grid to track adjustments. The upshot was that he significantly improve the scopes' tracking by repeatedly turning the turrets to the extremes of their travel, to wear in, or break in the surfaces that would slide against each other as adjustments were made. He did the procedure a bunch of times, enough that it would probably become both tiring and boring.

Some time after that I was at a benchrest match, and walked down the line during a break to a group of shooters that I knew, who were discussing a problem that one of them was having. The general consensus was that he had a scope problem (Weaver 36x). Offers were made of backup scopes, but he declined. About that time I asked him if he had tried exercising his turrets. He looked a little surprised at my suggestion and asked what I meant by that. I told him that it involved turning his turrets to their extreme limits several times and then back to where he started. Long story shorter, he tried doing that and went on to win a yardage with that same scope, which I believe that he continued to use with some success. The recent thread about scope testing made me think of this, but rather than take that discussion too far off topic, I have started this one. Comments? Suggestions?

 

[Ggmac]

I remember that . I actually tested his theory on cheap(ER) scopes and leupold ( best at the time ) both improved . It makes sense as the brass / stainless needs to seat or at least wear the proud shavings off .
On the 36 jap Tasco , the improvement was radical .

 

[moajoe]

I know guys that store their rifle/scope between matches with the elevation unscrewed to the top of elevation to reduce pressure on the internal springs. When I shoot 1,000 yard matches I am near the top end anyway.

 

[Tim s]

Cecil Tucker told me this several years ago, stated you should run them both to the limit of adjustment without jamming them at least once a year at a minimum to move o rings and avoid a semi-permenant set with the erector tube.

 

[SS427]

I learned this by experience. Got a used Weaver. While dialing it in, it jumped POI several times. Sure enough, once the guy got it set, he never touched the turrets. After a few twists in both directions, it stopped acting up and held POI perfectly. That thought crossed my mind when Alex did his post.

 

[snert]

Every summer my varmint rifles undergo a period of breaking in. They tend to miss a lot. I always thought it was me, till I read this. NOW I have a great excuse! Thanks Boyd!

"Yup, that one lived cause I have not had enough opportunity to break in my dials this year" I love the sound of that.

 

[Hal]

I read an article in The Varmint Hunters Magazine by ? Johnson ?( a very good writer, he put a lot of thought into things he wrote about) about the same thing.

I put my son's nightforce though it's paces. After I finished, the adjusted worked smoother. I don't if the scope worked any better.

Hal

 

[danny]

Back in the day, there was an article in Precision Shooting in which the author presented information about the effect on scope adjustment tracking accuracy. He used a collimator grid to track adjustments. The upshot was that he significantly improve the scopes' tracking by repeatedly turning the turrets to the extremes of their travel, to wear in, or break in the surfaces that would slide against each other as adjustments were made. He did the procedure a bunch of times, enough that it would probably become both tiring and boring.

Some time after that I was at a benchrest match, and walked down the line during a break to a group of shooters that I knew, who were discussing a problem that one of them was having. The general consensus was that he had a scope problem (Weaver 36x). Offers were made of backup scopes, but he declined. About that time I asked him if he had tried exercising his turrets. He looked a little surprised at my suggestion and asked what I meant by that. I told him that it involved turning his turrets to their extreme limits several times and then back to where he started. Long story shorter, he tried doing that and went on to win a yardage with that same scope, which I believe that he continued to use with some success. The recent thread about scope testing made me think of this, but rather than take that discussion too far off topic, I have started this one. Comments? Suggestions?

"Use it or lose it"

Danny

 

[Canadian bushman]

I usually do it whenever i remove the scope from the rifle or during a deep cleaning.

Never really noticed any difference.

 

[M-61]

Is this mentioned in any manufacturers instructions? Just wondering.

 

[rardoin]

I had a Burris scope back in the late 90's that needed exorcising.....

 

[Thauglor]

Is this mentioned in any manufacturers instructions? Just wondering.

I got a scope back from Leupold (change of reticle) and they went through the scope and inspected it and did their check up, could have sworn i saw a note kr something to this effect, turn thr knobs to tje full limit once or twice. I'll check my paperwork and see id i can find it.

 

[CaptainMal]

Thanks for the idea. Actually makes sense based on personal experience.

 

[M-61]

I got a scope back from Leupold (change of reticle) and they went through the scope and inspected it and did their check up, could have sworn i saw a note kr something to this effect, turn thr knobs to tje full limit once or twice. I'll check my paperwork and see id i can find it.

Thanks

 

[Shynloco]

As an aside to all the above comments, in recently speaking to one of the Scope Tech's at Weaver Scopes, he told me he recommends the above described procedure of turning the turrets to each extreme and then turning forward ten clicks whenever your take your scope off the rifle and mounting it on another rifle. He explained this process will reset both turrets for a new setting, not to mention taking the stress off the turrets that last longer.

Alex