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Mechanical zero out of range

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Category: Scopes
Forum Name: Rifle Scopes
Forum Description: Centerfire long gun scopes
URL: http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=42732
Printed Date: March/28/2024 at 13:13
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Topic: Mechanical zero out of range
Posted By: AlexV
Subject: Mechanical zero out of range
Date Posted: February/17/2016 at 03:47
Hi guys,

I'm new to the forum, but I'm hoping that, with your experience, I'll be able to solve an issue with my scope. I've recently bought a Leapers 4-16x40 scope (by no means the quality of some of the scopes that I've seen on this forum, but good enough for what me). The problem is that; out-of-the-box I tried to centre the scope via two methods:

1. finding the mechanical zero (clicks/2).
2. mirror method: getting the reflection of the reticle to align with the actual reticle.

Neither have worked and when I set it to the mechanical zero, I noticed that the reflection of the reticle in the mirror was way off. I need full windage and full elevation to even come remotely close. Yet, it's still way off from actually aligning the reflection with the reticle.

Here's an illustration:
I

Using the V-box method obviously makes the reticle go off-centre when turning it 360 degrees. 
My question: Is this simply a defective scope? or am I operating under the wrong conditions which result in this misalignment? 

Here are two photo's for reference of the mirror method and the position of the reflection
*note: I realise that taking a picture at a different angle will result in a different alignment, however, what the pictures show is quite realistic compared to what I'm seeing.

Mechanical zero:



Full windage & full elevation:


*note: parallax is set to infinite and AO is at the least magnification.

Hopefully your expertise will help me in the right direction, or will advise me to get a replacement/refund.

Thanks
Best regards,
Alex Vermeer






Replies:
Posted By: Kickboxer
Date Posted: February/17/2016 at 05:43

I've evaluated a few Leapers... never found one that was worth the time I spent.  I've seen stories of a few people who have had success with them... not as many as stories of people who have NOT had success with them. 

I would get my money back and get a better scope.



-------------
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.

There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living


Posted By: Sgt. D
Date Posted: February/17/2016 at 12:39

+1

If you are having this issue out of the box I strongly urge you to return it "if possible" asap. For low budget best quality go with a Nikon Prostaff or spend alittle more and get a Monarch. Here are a couple from the Sample list to consider.

http://www.samplelist.com/Nikon-4-12x40-ProStaff-Rifle-Scope-DEMO-A-P88267.aspx - http://www.samplelist.com/Nikon-4-12x40-ProStaff-Rifle-Scope-DEMO-A-P88267.aspx

http://www.samplelist.com/Nikon-4-16x42-Monarch-Rifle-Scope-DEMO-A-P92455.aspx - http://www.samplelist.com/Nikon-4-16x42-Monarch-Rifle-Scope-DEMO-A-P92455.aspx

The turrets and tracking will be excellent and the glass is very impressive for the $$.

Good Luck!! Welcome to the OT!



-------------
Take care of Soldiers, Show em how its done and do it with em, Run to the Fight & and hold your ground! I die my men go home! If you're a NCO and this ain't you. GET OUT! GOD BLESS AMERICA!


Posted By: AlexV
Date Posted: February/17/2016 at 16:09
Thanks for your replies, Kickboxer and Sgt. D! Much appreciated. I'm guessing Leapers isn't as good as I thought then. I though I read mostly good reviews about leapers, but I guess when it comes to those with experience, this isn't the case.

And based on your replies, the pictures I'm showing are a definite defect?

Thanks for the options, Sgt. D. I had a look at the monarch and it looks great! Unfortunately it's hard to get here in The Netherlands. So I'm looking for alternatives at http://www.uttings.co.uk/ as they have a wide variety.

Note it's illegal to hunt in The Netherlands, and I'm using this scope for airsoft on a MSR .338. So i'm indeed looking for a scope in the range of 4-16 or similar. Pref. x44 or x50 (x42 acceptable) as x40 just doesn't look right on the rifle.

Any advice when it comes to brands? It'll probably be in the €400-500 mark to get a proper scope it seems. Which is fine as, spending properly will save you lots of trouble and money in the long run.

Do you know what the parallax correction is on those sights you mentioned? It'll have to be less than 50m for airsoft.

And thanks for the warm welcome!


Posted By: AlexV
Date Posted: February/17/2016 at 16:30
Sorry; can't edit posts as a grappshopperBandito

Which (premium) brands would have a adjustable parallax down to +/-10 yards? There are many brands to pick and I don't want to pick another Leapers-competior!

Thanks


Posted By: Acker
Date Posted: February/18/2016 at 04:14

Hi,

Its looks to me as the central axis of the lens system is faulty, due to manufacture. The reticle is fixed under the ocular lens, by the look of it, ( second optical plane ) centralised on the body, not the optical system. Find someone with collimator who can check this for you.  If it is not central,send it back from whence it came.Big Smile




-------------
J.E.ATKINS


Posted By: AlexV
Date Posted: February/18/2016 at 06:19
Thanks for your reply, Acker.
Unfortunately I don't have a collimator but I'm sending the scope back to the retailer today. He'll then send it back to the distributor for check-up.

Sgt. D has two wonderful options and I'm definitely considering a Nikon. But that one is only parallax free from 50 yards. And I need a minimum of 15/20 yards to get the full range in which I'll be operating (15-100 yards)

Is there a way to get the manufacturer to adjust the parallax to 10-20 yards? I've read on this forum that that's possible (with costs). That might be a solution.
Probably 42mm is the perfect objective diameter. 50 will just be too bulky and heavy. So i'm looking for a scope with a 42-44mm objective and a wide adjustable parallax.
For brands I was thinking either Nikon, Leupold or Sightron.

Any thoughts/advice on which scope would be best? Max price would be around the $600,- mark.

And preferably one with a killlflash (more for bb-protection of the lens).

I've browsed through the scopes on http://www.competitor.com , but I end up with 30-40 possible scopes which would work. (no info on parallax adjustment though). Hopefully you guys will be able to point me in the right directions.

Thanks again for the help with the remarks on the Leapers scope and possible alternatives!


Posted By: AlexV
Date Posted: February/18/2016 at 06:37
Just thought I'd filter some contestants:
In the range I'm looking for:

http://www.competitor.com/nikon-prostaff-5-4-5-18x40.html?_iv_code=NI-RS-18X40PRO-6749-KIT1

http://www.competitor.com/nikon-monarch-3-3-12x42.html

http://www.competitor.com/nikon-monarch-3-4-16x42-mildot.html

http://www.competitor.com/nikon-monarch-3-4-16x42-mildot.html

http://www.competitor.com/leupold-vari-x-ii-3-9x40mm-rifle-scope.html

http://www.competitor.com/leupold-leupold-vx-3i-4-5-14x40mm-side-focus-riflescope.html

http://www.competitor.com/bushnell-legend-ultra-hd-4-5-14x44mm-rifle-scope.html

http://www.competitor.com/bushnell-elite-6500-2-5-16x42-riflescope.html

Wildcard:
http://www.competitor.com/nikon-monarch-3-4-16x50-bdc.html

Any thoughts?

Again, apologies for the double posting.


Posted By: AlexV
Date Posted: February/18/2016 at 12:17
Apologies; just read the rules and realised I cannot post competitor links. Please delete the post above. I've changed the links to SWFA links.

http://swfa.com/Nikon-45-18x40-ProStaff-5-Riflescope-P61630.aspx

http://swfa.com/Nikon-3-12x42-Monarch-3-Riflescope-P61601.aspx

http://swfa.com/Nikon-4-16x42-Monarch-3-Riflescope-P61603.aspx

http://swfa.com/Leupold-3-9x40-VX-2-Riflescope-P51799.aspx

http://swfa.com/Leupold-45-14x40-VX-3i-30mm-Riflescope-P91617.aspx

http://swfa.com/Leupold-4-12x40-VX-R-30mm-Riflescope-P71870.aspx

http://swfa.com/Bushnell-45-14x44-Legend-Ultra-HD-Rifle-Scope-P53010.aspx

http://swfa.com/Bushnell-25-16x42-Elite-6500-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P10927.aspx

Wildcard:
http://swfa.com/Nikon-4-16x50-Monarch-3-Riflescope-P61606.aspx

Looking forward to your replies


Posted By: AlexV
Date Posted: February/24/2016 at 03:23
Hey Guys,

After speaking to someone on the Leupold team I've actually decided to go with the Nikon Pro Stafff 3-9x40 Target EFR. Leupold had some good scopes with 10 yard adjustable parallax but one of them was discontinued last January and the other was only x33 which was too small for me.
Given the fact that the difference between Nikon and Leupold was €800,- and Nikon has a 30 year warranty, Nikon is the obvious choice for me.

Just one thing I'd like to know. The fitment of lens caps. Are most of them universal? or should I go with a bikini lens cap to protect the scope when not in use?



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