Reticle focus question

[newbieshooter]

I've read articles on how to focus the reticle (ie: https://www.leupold.com/life/help-desk/how-can-i-focus-so-the-reticle-is-clear/)

I have always had a reticle that had numbers on it - so I can tell when it is in focus. But now I have a new scope that just has a simple crosshair reticle.

When I go thru the procedure to focus the reticle - I'm wonder how can I tell the fine cross hair is actually in focus? The fine crosshair reticle always seems to be in "focus" within a wide range since it is just a fine black line (.016 MOA) ... Is it just me or am I missing something?

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

The first question that comes to mind is, how old are you? Younger eyes are more forgiving that older eyes.

A focusing ring for the eyepiece is really like a set of cheaters you find at the drugstore with + and - diopter values. So one thing to do is find the middle setting in the range of the eyepiece knob and set that up to start with. So, twist the know fully one way, then fully the other way and then try to set it in the middle, which should provide no correction. With that set, look through it a blank wall or at a cloud. Only look for a few seconds, they look again for a few seconds, and so on. You are looking at a featureless image in which only the reticle stands out. Twist the eyepiece know a little one way, then the other, while still taking quick peeks. Look for the crispest image possible. Unless your eyes are very different (or old), that setting should be near the middle.