Basic question about MOA markings on Leupold Vari-X II

[freespool]

The turrets on my 3-9X Vari-X II are marked "MOA" and the major hashes are 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. There's an unmarked major hash between each of those, and a minor hash between each of the majors. I always assumed each major hash was 1 MOA and each minor was 1/2 MOA, but it always seems like I get a 2" adjustment at 100 yds when I move the setting by one major hash. It could just be my shooting, but I've made adjustments many times over the years and always seem to overadjust. There are no click-stops with these turrets.

Can anyone confirm how the turret markings should be read?

[Black Majik]

Target turrets usually come in 1/4 minute increments. So, each major hashmark is 1 MOA, each minor is .25 MOA.

You need to figure out the DOPE on your rifle. Zero for 100 yards.

https://www.jbmballistcs.com

[freespool]

This is just the standard Vari-X II hunting scope. The major hashes seem to be either 1 MOA (every other major hash is marked 2 above the previous mark) or 2 MOA (that's how far the POA moves when I change by one major hash). The minor hashes are half the size of the major, so either 1/2 MOA (the simple interpretation of the major hash markings) or 1 MOA (my seat-of-the-pants measurements).

[Cowboy T]

Just read up on the Rifleman, which Leupold's Web site says is the Vari-X II with a slightly different looking tube ("for aesthetics"). They say the minor divisions are 1/2 MOA (their others are 1/4).

BTW, how is that Vari-X II? I'm in the market for an economically priced, but pretty good, hunting scope.

[freespool]

I've had two of these but have never spent much time with other brands or models so I can't compare. No problem with either one. These are older scopes, mid-90s and earlier. I gather there have been changes over the years.

It fits the markings as I read them that the minor hashes are 1/2 MOA - I just don't know why I seem to get twice that. I'll be breaking the gun down for cleaning this winter, and reloading some brass, so I should get quite a few more chances to test the adjustments.

[Aries64]

Re: Basic question about MOA markings on Leupold Vari-X II

The turrets on my 3-9X Vari-X II are marked "MOA" and the major hashes are 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. There's an unmarked major hash between each of those, and a minor hash between each of the majors. I always assumed each major hash was 1 MOA and each minor was 1/2 MOA, but it always seems like I get a 2" adjustment at 100 yds when I move the setting by one major hash.

Do the little aluminum discs on top of the turrets (under the caps) look like the one in the photo below?



If so, then "YES" - each hash mark denotes 1/2 MOA. However, the old style "friction" adjustments are not that precise. While I never had a problem with any of the friction adjustments on my Leupolds', I did have most of my Leupold scopes with friction adjustments upgraded to the Tall Target Knobs long ago. Sometimes by Leupold, and sometimes by Premier (back in the day).


Keith

[freespool]

Yep, dat's dem. 'Cept mine only go to 10. It sure looks like they should be 1/2 MOA, but between my shooting and whatever they are, they seem more like 1 MOA. I'm going to get a Lead Sled this winter and see what that does for them.

Thanks for the pic, that made it easy.

[Aries64]

Re: Basic question about MOA markings on a Leupold Vari-X II

Yep, dat's dem. 'Cept mine only go to 10. It sure looks like they should be 1/2 MOA, but between my shooting and whatever they are, they seem more like 1 MOA. I'm going to get a Lead Sled this winter and see what that does for them.

Thanks for the pic, that made it easy.

No problem freespool. You said "'Cept mine only go to 10". It sounds like "10" is the last number marked on top of the turret, and there are three (3) more hash marks before the "0". This means that your turret discs have 12 MOA per turn (the "0" becomes a "12" at the top of the first turn). So your turrets look like the ones in the two (2) photos below. These are of the tops of an old Vari-X IIc 4-12X 40mm.

"Friction"-adjustments on Leupold Var-X IIc 4-12X 40mm A.O. scope:



FYI, If you have the adjustments upgraded to 1/4 MOA "click" adjustments, not only will you get more precise adjustment, but you will actually get more MOA of adjustment per turn. I have several Vari-X IIc 4-12X40mm A.O.s' that I had upgraded from the "friction type" adjustments to 1/4 MOA clicks in both the standard "hunting" turrets as well as Tall Target Turrets, and they have 15 MOA per turn.

One last thing - the photo I posted in my original reply to you shows the turret numbered to "14". That is because that is the Elevation turret of an Vari-X 2-7X 28mm Rimfire Special, which has sixteen (16) MOA of travel per turn. Hope all of this helps.



Keith

[freespool]

Thanks Keith, I guess I'll still have to figure out why I seem to overdo the correction. Once I've got the gun dialed in I don't use the turrets much for years at a time, so I'll just deal with what I've got.

What do you use the 4-12X for? Do you like it better for big game, if that's what you do with it? I've started to make shots out at 300-400 yds now and have wondered how it would be to use a higher powered scope than the 9X.

[Biigg50]

Freespool,
I used to do a lot of competetive long range shooting, each year we had a hunter class match just before hunting season began just to make sure everyone was at their peak. Most of the top shooters were using 4.5x14 Leupolds for everything beyond 300 yrds all the way to 850. These were hunting rifles not bench guns, and it really does make a big difference at long range to be able to see your target that much better. At 500-800 yards with a scope at 9x the target is still very small.

[freespool]

Were those the 40 or 50mm scopes? Not sure I want a 50 or a $500 scope on my gun, so I might have to go with 12X it looks like, to stay with Leopold. I get enough light out of the 3-9x40, and I can get a picture behind the scope fine - I'd have to check how that worked with 12X. I got a small fork at just over 400 yds a couple years ago and it was hard to make out the antlers that far out. Guess I could just wait for better deer.