Reticle moves around w/ eyepiece adjustment

[Smokepole]

I have a cheap Bushnell Rimfire 3-9X scope that I purchased a couple weeks ago. When I try to adjust the reticle focus, I can see the cross hairs move around as I turn the eyepiece. This must move the point of impact too?
How typical is this? Should I adjust the reticle then sight in the rifle and NEVER touch the eyepiece ring again, or is this scope a lemon and needs to be returned?

 

[yodave]

I have seen this with a few bushnell scopes and it is infact a lemon. I sent one in for repair last year with the same issue and they replaced it. Bring it to a bushnell dealler and pay the 15 dollars to have it shipped into the repair depot. It will take a few months for a reply from bushnell but that can't be worse then having your poa move everytime the gun recoils.

 

[P of PDent]

To be honest with you on any cheaper scope you will often see the reticle move somewhat when you adjust the ocular lens (eyepiece). This is because the the tube and eyepiece are not perfectly concentric. Once you adjust the eyepiece to focus your reticle (this is the only reason you should be adjusting the eyepeice) then leave it alone and there should be no issue. If over time your eyes change in performance or someone else adjusts the eyepiece then you would have to re zero the scope. Even on some higher end scopes you will see a slight deviation when screwing in and out the eyepiece. If in fact there is considerable movement then yes you have a warranty issue. Try the scope first and see how it holds zero. Phil.

 

[popcan]

Do I understand correctly.... if the eyepiece gets adjusted, (even say, accidentally), you have to re-zero?

That's a good thing to keep in mind.

 

[P of PDent]

Do I understand correctly.... if the eyepiece gets adjusted, (even say, accidentally), you have to re-zero?

That's a good thing to keep in mind.

Once you adjust your eyepiece (ocular lense) you should not have to adjust it again unless your eyes change or its gets moved by someone else. Some scopes have a locking ring (like most Leupolds) that allow you to hand tighten the ring to lock the eyepiece from moving accidently. Some scopes like most of the higher end Bushnels have a fast focus at the rear that will go from one extreme to the other in just one turn but have no locking provision. On other higher end scopes this adustment is quite tight and will not move on its own but on some of the less expensive models it can move under recoil which is a pain. Once again in the less expensive models the eyepiece may not be concentric with the body and may require re zeroing if the eyepiece is adjusted. With respect to the original Bushnell .22 scope discused there is usually a locking ring that can be tightend to prevent moving. Phil.