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reticle centering (not leveling)

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zaj56 View Drop Down
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    Posted: May/25/2005 at 06:01
  Just for the heck of it, I decided to check a brand new scope (leup. 2.5-8) to see if the click ajustments were centered from the factory.By counting the total clicks and than backing them off half  of that number, I discovered that my scope wasn't centered from the factory. Is this normal, or is this something that should be checked on all new scopes before mounting.
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Brady View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Brady Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/25/2005 at 09:22
How much was it off? Was the box still wrapped in the cellophane? They should be zeroed if it's brand new.
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tbone1 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tbone1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/25/2005 at 12:16

If memory serves me correctly, I believe that I checked my recticle the same way by counting the clicks on a new scope and it was off as well.

 

Another way to center the reticle is to take a narrow box (like the one SWFA ships their scopes in) and cut a knotch in the top and lay the scope in the knotch.  While looking through the scope, twist the scope over and over in its place.  If the reticle is centered then the duplex will spin in its place or a tight circle.  If it is out of center then it will make a wide circle.  You can adjust it so that it makes a very tight circle and then the reticle is centered.  I can't remember but I believe that a few years ago, I centered a scope by counting the clicks and when I checked it on the box, it was still slightly off, so I corrected it using the box method.  Its hard to explain but it is very simple to do.  Let me know if I need to clarify this method. 

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zaj56 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote zaj56 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/25/2005 at 16:00

 

 

Brady...yes it was brand new in a wrapped box.   

    Tbone1...your method seems to make a lot of sense but how do you know whether to adjust the windage or elevation?        Thanks

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Brady Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/25/2005 at 16:17

tbone,

Not a bad idea. Could you use the bottom half of your rings mounted on the gun to get the same results? Maybe lay something in the bottom half of the rings so it wouldn't mar it up?

 

zaj56,

You could give Leupold a shout to see if their scopes are suppose to be centered. Maybe Leupold sets their adjustments at a given range they think the scope will be zeroed at?

Leupold - 1-503-526-1400



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zaj56 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote zaj56 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/25/2005 at 19:41
  I tried the spin method and it worked . I used a roller device that is used to check the staightness of arrows...works great. The scope needed no further adjustments after using the count the click method(tedious). Next time I'll just spin the scope and adjust it like that!  I probably will check with Leupold to see if is normal not to centered from the factory.I must admit though that it was close from the factory.(something like 10 clicks off)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tbone1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/26/2005 at 00:52

Yea, rings would work too.  Really anything that you could spin the scope in and keep it perfectly straight at the same time.  Those SWFA scope boxes are perfect.  Turn it side ways, cut a V shaped knotch in each side and lay the scope in it.  If it is off then you have to play with both elev. and wind. too see which is out.  It is easy though.  A few clicks on one and you can tell if it is getting better are worse.  It does make a good and quick way to check a new scope without having to count all those clicks.  Take care.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dilligaf Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/27/2005 at 22:37

Another easy way to center the reticle is to:

place the objective against a mirror look throught the scope you will probably see two sets of reticles, adjust the windage / elevation until they merge into one set. I've done this quite a few times now and 9 times out of 10 if I count clicks afterward it will have me centered (the most I have been off is (2) 1/4 moa clicks).

 

Joe

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote STWSniper Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/30/2005 at 23:27
Good idea dilligaf. I will try out your mirror method the next time I have to check a scope to see if the adjustments are centered. Should be a lot faster than counting clicks.  
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