Target dot offset downward?

[TaperPin]

I recently picked Up a 20x Leupold out of the 1970’s and it has the top edge of the dot about even with the top of the crosshair, and I was wondering what the thinking was behind this weird design. I’ve seen this once before back in the 1980’s, but just thought it was odd and didn’t put too much effort into asking why. I can’t hardly shoot the thing as a varmint scope. Do guys stack a black bullseye on top of the dot like lining up a 3 ball golf putter, or is the dot low to better align it on target left to right? I naturally want to use the center of the crosshairs, but my gut says I should be centering the dot on target. It makes my head hurt just explaining it. These old scopes aren’t worth much, heck I only paid $400 for it, but I may have to pay someone to swap out the reticle.

Forgive the drawing - the dot is off center to the right, but in the scope it’s ok other than hanging down low.

 

[Albany Mountain]

Perhaps its aligned for holdover, use the crosshairs for 100-200 yards, use the dot for 300top-400center-500lower intersections.

 

[Ned Ludd]

Things tend to "droop" with age.

 

[TRSR8]

Non factory aftermarket instillation.

 

[TaperPin]

Perhaps its aligned for holdover, use the crosshairs for 100-200 yards, use the dot for 300top-400center-500lower intersections.

It’s a small dot, probably only 1/8 moa.

 

[TaperPin]

Non factory aftermarket instillation.

The scope is out of the 1970’s - I’m not sure what the Leupold custom shop used to offer for reticles, but you’re probably right and it was a third party alteration. I’ve been trying to jog my memory about what publication I saw this style of reticle back in the early 80’s.

I have a tank of nitrogen - if someone knew what other scopes shared the same reticle physical dimensions I’d be tempted to swap it out myself.

 

[TRSR8]

The scope is out of the 1970’s - I’m not sure what the Leupold custom shop used to offer for reticles, but you’re probably right and it was a third party alteration. I’ve been trying to jog my memory about what publication I saw this style of reticle back in the early 80’s.

I have a tank of nitrogen - if someone knew what other scopes shared the same reticle physical dimensions I’d be tempted to swap it out myself.

Back then, Premier Reticle would put it where you wanted and how big, although always a chance somebody simply messed up.

 

[TaperPin]

Back then, Premier Reticle would put it where you wanted and how big, although always a chance somebody simply messed up.

I think it’s made this way on purpose - the first time you see it it really stands out as out of the ordinary. Heck, I don’t know anything about the scope - it could have been in a house fire and whatever material the dot is made of sagged.

 

[snert]

Maybe for group shooting...dot doesn't get in the way? Or maybe score? Doesn't fill the bughole?