How modifiable are scopes?

[mike_the_wino]

I saw an ad for a leupold that had turrets for .223, .308 and one or two other calibers. This scope was originally $1,400-1,600. Is this common on pricey glass?

I had never heard of this before and I am really curious how one goes about getting the right scope for each rifle and caliber. Guess a scope is not just a scope past a certain price range. Up til now the most I have spent has been in the $400 range, mount included.

Is there a scope primer I should read because after that discovery I feel like a caveman.

[JMP]

No, it isn't that common. I think it is for use with BDC reticles to help with adjustments.

I am old fashioned, so a Mil is a Mil and an MOA is an MOA in whatever caliber I am shooting.

[Droppin Deuces]

Stock and custom BDC turrets are fairly common as far as I know; especially from Leupold. It's just a way to simply things for those who do not wish to take the time to learn how to use a ranging reticle. You can order custom knobs from them by telling them the ballistics information of the round you're shooting. Problem is, if you're like most people, you aren't always shooting the same round, so it's mostly a feature to make things easier on hunters, etc.

[wjc]

I normally have a separate scope for each rifle so I don't need the setups for different calibers.

I did have a Leupold scope modified by their custom shop for my M&P 15/22. I had them take off the factory elevation/windage knobs and install turrets.

It was fairly cheap and only took about a month. I'm extremely satisfied with the result.

[mike_the_wino]

Thanks for the info. I own a 3x9 Bushnell, permanently mounted on my 30-30, and two Redfields. One on a QD mount right now and the other waiting me to figure out if I want another LaRue QD mount or something else. I am aware that different calibers, and even different bullet weights, have effects on the ballistic characteristics so I pair scope A to that rifle 1 and scope B to rifle 2, etc. And I don't see myself getting too nutso with glass anytime soon what with my project list being what it is right now. Got a couple years of weekends to work my way through.

Damn job taking up too much time. But it do pay the bills.

[Whiterabbit]

How MODIFIABLE are scopes?

Well, if it is a Leupold, you can send it back for whatever you want. You want a $150 reticle and two $60 CDS dials installed onto your $50 Vari-X I from 1976? No problem. Send it in.

[6mmintl]

I have std. 1/4 MOA adjustment scopes and would not advocate BDC features for any shooting at distance unless your ONLY shooting factory match ammo or your sluggish on taking the time to map any ammo you do use to the scope settings.

If you decide to handload and or change bullet weights you have to start all over again anyway mapping + or - to knob settings.

Hopefully you can estimate range accurately also.

When shooting the silhouette game most everyone uses MOA scopes and map out EXACT sight settings for each of four distances, even these settings change with light/temp/humidity changes during the typical 3-4 hour shooting session and a BDC setting is never exact or reliable.

Mapping load to scope setting is a standard as old as the hills, works, and is universal to any competitive or hunting discipline, BDC is the easy way out for the easily marketed too consumer.

[ElvenSoul]

BDC are a pain to use in the field.

I like Nikon's Nikoplex. It allows more picture than a German Number 4.