How do i focus this scope?

MD

MD

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I bought a second-hand Leupold 4X M8 scope from a Gunnutz member and put it on my old Husquvarna 270 and took it to the range.

Looking though it for the first time anywhere but my living room, it seemed to me that it was just slightly out of focus at 25 yards though it was clear from 50 yards out to 200 and aftr a few sighting shots, it had the rifle grouping normally at 100 and 200 yards.

I loosened the lock screw on the scope and turned the objective out a bit trying to get it in focus, but it didn't seem to make much difference. I don't like to play around with that kind fo thing too much, so I didn't pursue it.

I have the same model scope on my 300 and don't have this problem.

What to do?
 
I wouldn't expect a non-variable optic to focus from here to infinity. If its quality, it won't. Good lenses have a relatively narrow range of acceptable focus (depth of field relative to aperture size). (topic is complicated - NOT going to get into "circles of confusion" etc.) This range limit goes hand in hand with edge to edge focus, aberrations and other factors. High quality camera zoom lenses also have narrow range of focal lengths too (eg 80-200mm - more than that requires optical compromise - check specs on professional zooms compared to consumer zooms). Good scopes will be optimized to provide best focus over the anticipated range they're expected to be used - they won't be in precise focus up close, nor way off in the distance either. This becomes especially important the "brighter" the image is - brightness requires larger apertures, which compromises range of focus (depth of field), so there are limits imposed in order to achieve good, even, undistorted, resolution.
 
How it is that x4 scope is good enough for you people, yet I can't see crap with a 12x scope @ 300 yards? I have excellent eye sight so I just have no clue.

Even 12x at 100 yards is still not enough
 
gitrdun said:
I sure do hope that you find the answer to your question, but a 4x on a .270 seems a bit of a mismatch...:confused:
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Why would you think that? If iron sights are suitable at 100 yards - something very few people would debate - a 4 power scope is good to at least 400 yards which is about at the outer limit of the 270s performance window.
 
BCBigbore and Cereal83, you guys seem to be on extreme ends of the spectrum. A 270's flat shooting characteristics will definetely have one wishing for higher magnification out to those 300 yrd shots that are totally acceptable with the .270. Cereal, if you can't see things out to 100 with 12x, you need to either consider some better optics or an optometrist. Why not go for a 3x9?
 
cereal83 said:
How it is that x4 scope is good enough for you people, yet I can't see crap with a 12x scope @ 300 yards? I have excellent eye sight so I just have no clue.

Even 12x at 100 yards is still not enough
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Either no one has ever taught you how to shoot or your 12x scope is a cheap POS.
 
'Boo said:
Why would you think that? If iron sights are suitable at 100 yards - something very few people would debate - a 4 power scope is good to at least 400 yards which is about at the outer limit of the 270s performance window.
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Yeah, you can see a deer very well at 400 yds through a 4x, but IMHO, careful shot placement could be challenging.
 
I have seen too many skilled shooters - actually MD is one of them :D - shoot very-very well at moderate to long range with what some people think is modest powered scopes. Even with deer you are not shooting bulls-eyes but rather a kill zone of close to 12" in diameter.
 
Well, I like using a 10x for banging gongs at the range out to 500, 600 and 700m.

I see no problems using a 4x out to 300 or 400m on game the size of deer, though I do like 18's and 24's for whacking gophers out to 300-ish
 
'Boo said:
I have seen too many skilled shooters - actually MD is one of them :D - shoot very-very well at moderate to long range with what some people think is modest powered scopes. Even with deer you are not shooting bulls-eyes but rather a kill zone of close to 12" in diameter.
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Ok, well I'm not a gambling man...but I do like a good challenge, especially from those that make large claims.

I'll bet you $1000.00 of my hard earned cash against yours. You come out with your .270 caliber class rifle and a straight 4x scope. I will put out a 12" pie plate at exactly 400 yds. You have ONE shot, make the pie plate and you get my $1000.00, miss and well....then make sure you bring hard cash. No bags, no shooting rest, just you, your gun, your body. Wind?....well then maybe....but that's just the hard luck of hunting. Oh, and if you win, I'll put you up and BBQ you the best damned steak around, feed you some beers and you've earned my respect. I'll even go one further, bring your gas receipts, I'll pay that too. BUT if you miss, well then the tab is on you. DEAL?
 
gitrdun said:
Ok, well I'm not a gambling man...but I do like a good challenge, especially from those that make large claims.

I'll bet you $1000.00 of my hard earned cash against yours. You come out with your .270 caliber class rifle and a straight 4x scope. I will put out a 12" pie plate at exactly 400 yds. You have ONE shot, make the pie plate and you get my $1000.00, miss and well....then make sure you bring hard cash. No bags, no shooting rest, just you, your gun, your body. Wind?....well then maybe....but that's just the hard luck of hunting. Oh, and if you win, I'll put you up and BBQ you the best damned steak around, feed you some beers and you've earned my respect. I'll even go one further, bring your gas receipts, I'll pay that too. BUT if you miss, well then the tab is on you. DEAL?
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400 yards is a god danged long way and a tough in the field shot.

:popCorn:

I await to see if the challenge is taken.:rockOn:
 
I will take that bet......if you will match me, shot for shot, with your 3-9.

And, I know a bunch of guys up here who will take you up on it, as well

4X is plenty to make a pie plate at 400 yds!

Ted
 
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After some careful thinking, I'll embarass myself and retract that challenge. I had extended it to Boo in the first place, but now it seems all the sharp shooters are showing up. Anyways, maybe a couple too many beers last evening.:redface: I consider myself to be a fairly good shot, not sharpshooter material, but I'll give it a try. turn the .270WSM down to 4 and -400 yds from sitting position. Honestly, in the typical SA wind, could be tough.
 
gitrdun said:
BCBigbore and Cereal83, you guys seem to be on extreme ends of the spectrum. A 270's flat shooting characteristics will definetely have one wishing for higher magnification out to those 300 yrd shots that are totally acceptable with the .270. Cereal, if you can't see things out to 100 with 12x, you need to either consider some better optics or an optometrist. Why not go for a 3x9?
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I have a 3-9x40 on my 30-06 and looking through it out to 300 yard, well it's very hard to keep it on a 14x14 target. Like with some kind of support yeah but off hand, no way in hell can I hit it unless I am lucky.

'Boo said:
Either no one has ever taught you how to shoot or your 12x scope is a cheap POS.
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Nobody has taught me how to shoot so is this an invitation that your gonna fly out here and teach me?

Yes the Bushnell scope might be a POS, but my brand new 2007 car in my driveway isn't all that crappy. We all spend bit more money on things we like, without a place for me to even shoot my guns, why spend $2000 on a scope and how am I gonna learn?
 
cosmic said:
Cereal - turn the scope around...
BTW - Lack of magnification has nothing to do with your inability to hit 14 in squares freehand at 300 y.
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I should try turning it around. Maybe that the problem. :rockOn:

I know I am not a great shot but heck, the target is soo small that that range I have no clue how you see it. It's like hitting a bird from 300 yards. Sure experience people can do it, but not me.

I just need more practice I think.
 
cereal83 said:
We all spend bit more money on things we like, without a place for me to even shoot my guns, why spend $2000 on a scope and how am I gonna learn?
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Move West young man, move West. ;)

I agree we all have priorities in life. I can literally go shooting 2 minutes from home and often shoot in excess of 5000 centre-fire rounds every year. (As well as 2 or 3 bricks of rim-fire) I can certainly understand why someone without ready access to a range would have shooting accessories set at a lower priority than cars.

BTW, you don't need to spend 2 grand on a good scope. A good used Leupold can usually be found for under $350
 
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