How to use your scope

[DirtRacer151]

I know you are. I was teasing since you are the master Educator around here. I aways get benefit from your efforts as I'm sure everyone else does too.

On a more serious note, when you do your next write up can we get one on tactical camouflage and making our ghulie suits? =D

[dodge]

excellent info
thanks so much for your time & effort

[ar15barrels]

On a more serious note, when you do your next write up can we get one on tactical camouflage and making our ghulie suits? =D

I defer to solidsnake on that.

[wildcard]

I defer to solidsnake on that.

Not good enough.. electro-optical is the way to go. Speak with Predator.

[rksimple]

The major disadvantage of first focal plane scopes is that the crosshairs often become very thick at higher powers.
The thick crosshair can obscure small targets, which makes it harder to be precise on very small targets.

It should be understood that we are talking VERY small targets here. As in less than .1 mil size. A correctly executed FFP reticle does not suffer this problem at all. And the above is not always true. I've used SFP scopes with thicker reticles than FFP scopes. Conversely, it should be noted that some SFP reticle **cough**Nightforce have reticles thin enough for incredibly precise quartering, but can easily get lost while hunting or viewing targets with busy backgrounds.

Moral of the story...choose wisely.

[ar15barrels]

Tracking Test
You should test that your scope tracks properly.
This is also known as a "Box" test.

What you want to do is to go to the range and setup a nice clean LARGE piece of cardboard at exactly 100yds.
Make sure the cardboard is level left/right.
Setup a single target towards the bottom of the cardboard.

Verify that you are on a proper zero with the gun level left/right and fire a group on the target.
Mark the shots already on the target so you know which ones were already on that target.
Adjust your scope left 10moa or 3 mils.
Fire a couple rounds at the same target.
Adjust your scope up 15moa or 4 mils.
Fire a couple rounds at the same target.
Adjust your scope up another 15moa or 4 mils.
Fire a couple rounds at the same target.
Adjust your scope 20moa or 6 mils right.
Fire a couple rounds at the same target.
Adjust your scope back down 15moa or 4 mils.
Fire a couple rounds at the same target.
Adjust your scope back down another 15moa or 4 mils.
Fire a couple rounds at the same target.
Finally, adjust your scope back to the left 10moa or 3 mils.
Fire a couple rounds at the same target and check to see that they landed within the original group that you shot.

If your scope is tracking correctly, you should end up with a rectangle on the target frame that's 20.9" wide and 31.4" tall if you are shooting a scope with MOA knobs.
If your scope is tracking correctly, you should end up with a rectangle on the target frame that's 21.6" wide and 28.8" tall if you are shooting a scope with MIL knobs.

The rectangle should be formed perfectly square and level.
If the rectangle has good square corners, but the whole box is angled, then your scope is probably not mounted straight.
If the rectangle looks more like a parallelogram, then you have a scope problem.
If the rectangle does not have square corners, you have a scope problem.

[rumblebee]

Randall, you rock!!!

excellent info
thanks so much for your time & effort

[rksimple]

For the box test, try to get about 30 minutes up or so with elevation. Some loopies (as well as some bottom feeders) are known for adjusting correctly for a turn and then going to hell.

[DirtRacer151]

Just an idea for any newbies but how about a sub section on mounting the scope using proper height rings and what effects sight over bore and cheek weld can have if your rings are to high? Also a write up on the techniques of leveling the scope

[CAL.BAR]

See - this is why I don't do long range shooting. It's really more math than anything else. (I hate math).

Why can't we design a self adjusting scope with a built in range finder. So when I put the cross hairs on a target at 50 yards it adjusts to compensate and when I put them on a target at 100 and readjusts.

My $2.00 calculator can do scientific calculations, but my $1,000.00 scope needs a $2.00 calculator to hit anything (lol)

[ar15barrels]

See - this is why I don't do long range shooting. It's really more math than anything else. (I hate math).

A laser rangefinder and a dope card eliminates the math.

[wildcard]

See - this is why I don't do long range shooting. It's really more math than anything else. (I hate math).

Why can't we design a self adjusting scope with a built in range finder. So when I put the cross hairs on a target at 50 yards it adjusts to compensate and when I put them on a target at 100 and readjusts.

My $2.00 calculator can do scientific calculations, but my $1,000.00 scope needs a $2.00 calculator to hit anything (lol)

If all you want to do is learn how to properly USE the equipment.. no math involved except counting marks on your knob and reticle. Understanding the theories and applying them are two different animals.

[ar15barrels]

nikon has one, i believe bushnell does too http://www.scopesnmore.com/outdoor_e...fle_scopes.htm

It does not adjust the aiming point for you though.

The technology is all there to range the distance, check weather conditions, calculate trajectory and put a reticle on an image in the proper position, but no manufacturer has combined all the technologies into one product yet.

[rksimple]

Or you could just get an LRF and a BORS.

[wildcard]

Or you could just get an LRF and a BORS.

I didn't look that deep into it.. but isn't the consensus that the BORS isn't really all that great?


Of course it's not really necessary.. check out the trace on the trajectory of my .260 Remington:


Divergence is a real pain though..