Focusing problem

[Travis_m]

I have a cheap bushnell 3-9 scope on one of my 22's that I use for target shooting. At 3x magnification everything works fine but once I increase the magnification either the target is out of focus or the reticle is out of focus. Typically it is the reticle. If I look away from the scope at something close then look back into the scope the reticle stays in focus for a few seconds then gets blurry. My other scopes are fixed magnification so I cannot compare. Is this a problem with the scope or with my eyes?

 

[Slamfire]

Maybe try adjusting the eyepiece?

 

[bsand]

Maybe try adjusting the eyepiece?

Sounds like diopter is not adjusted to suit.

Look at a white wall with at full magnification, adjust the diopter until the reticle is clear. I usually adjust a little look thru adjust more then glance thru, you want to find the setting that lets you see a crisp reticle. But don't stare thru scope while turning the adjustments.

 

[Slamfire]

But then once you've got it focused using the eyepiece adjustment, the reticle shouldn't go out of focus as you change the magnification. I think your scope is broke.

 

[bsand]

It could look OK at 3x but magnified it's not OK. Kinda like parallax doesn't look bad at 5x, but at 25x it's really noticeable.

 

[dand883]

Sounds like diopter is not adjusted to suit.

Look at a white wall with at full magnification, adjust the diopter until the reticle is clear. I usually adjust a little look thru adjust more then glance thru, you want to find the setting that lets you see a crisp reticle. But don't stare thru scope while turning the adjustments.

I find it makes it a bit easier to judge if you adjust to where it's focused, then go past a bit and dial it back, kind of like tuning in a crappy old radio on the fm dial, sometimes you need to hunt for the sweet spot.