Making a zero stop for Leupold scopes

[no one]

I love the Leupold scopes, but wanted a zero stop.

I found that a copper 3/4x1/2 pipe reducer works. The 3/4 inch end just fits over the adjustment turret. It is basically a thin spacer that goes between the top of the scope, and the bottom of the adjustment knob.

Cut a thin wafer off the 3/4 inch end, usually I start out at about .07 inch. Remove the adjustment knob, and place the spacer over the turret underneath the knob. If the allen screw that holds the knob on tightens with any resistance, the shim is too thick. Use a file or sandpaper on a table top to continue thinning the shim until it is the correct thickness.

Thickness will depend on where you zero your rifle, and how much down elevation is left. The more down elevation remaining, the thicker the shim will need to be.

I found that I needed to leave 10-20 clicks down after zero or the turrets would occasionally jam up. Once completed, you turn the adjustment knob all the way till it bottoms out (gently so as to not hurt the scopes inner workings) then come back up 10-20 clicks to the zero.

It is so simple I am surprised that someone doesn't make a package of various shims and market them. But it is rather fortuitous that this cheap plumbing part works so perfectly.

 

[lapadat]

pics

Great idea....are you able to post some pic's for those of us who like picture books
lap

 

[starpuss]

 

[no one]

If I had the capacity to post photos, I would be happy to, but I don't. If anyone needs further clarification, ask what parts weren't clear, and I'll be happy to attempt to clarify them.

 

[no one]

If I had the capacity to post photos, I would be happy to, but I don't. If anyone needs further clarification, ask what parts weren't clear, and I'll be happy to attempt to clarify them.

For those requiring visualization, it is an O shaped shim between .07 and .015 inch thick cut off the end of a copper plumbing fitting. Nothing fancy or complicated.

 

[mr.rhtuner]

I remember there a thread on snipercentral or hide with pics of this

 

[ceriksson]

Am I right, what you are talking about is simply something that prevents you from twisting the turret back past zero? so you can turn it for bullet drop but not the other way past the spot where you zeroed it?

Would definitely be useful.. I once twisted a turret once a full 360 past my zero spot back to zero and didn't know what the hell was going on, I had to re-bore sight it to figure out where I twisted wrong.

Thats what is so great with some of the Scmidt and Benders, they have a coloured part that goes up when you twist so you know where you are in the turret.

 

[alberta tactical rifle]

I tossed that idea around with the tech guys at NF, the only caution they had was that turrets are basically very fine thread screws, if I remember correctly something like 160 tpi so to put a spacer under the turret could damage the thread if used rigorously.

 

[mr.rhtuner]

Am I right, what you are talking about is simply something that prevents you from twisting the turret back past zero? so you can turn it for bullet drop but not the other way past the spot where you zeroed it?

Would definitely be useful.. I once twisted a turret once a full 360 past my zero spot back to zero and didn't know what the hell was going on, I had to re-bore sight it to figure out where I twisted wrong.

Thats what is so great with some of the Scmidt and Benders, they have a coloured part that goes up when you twist so you know where you are in the turret.

This is what I was talking about

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1048401#Post1048401

 

[Mutt-roc]

there is a reason those lines are under the turrets. and im with rick i wouldnt want to damage my scope in anyway by doing some hack job on it and how accurate could it still hold your zero.

 

[no one]

The way I did it is different than in the photo posted. My spacer goes under the adjustment knob and drops down inside the well where it can't be seen. The lines are all still visible.

The posting about the fine threads is correct. If you turn the knobs too hard in any direction past where they stop, it can damage the mechanism---with or without the stop. And nope, they don't interfere with anything as long as you have 10-20 clicks past your lowest zero.

I like a little adjustment remaining in any case in the event a different load is used, or weather changes zero. There is still enough adjustment to take care of it without removing the stop.

 

[alberta tactical rifle]

I like a little adjustment remaining in any case in the event a different load is used, or weather changes zero. There is still enough adjustment to take care of it without removing the stop.

I agree, on my NF scopes with zero stop I normally leave 1 full moa past zero for this very reason.

 

[Jamie]

I will get some pics up of my Nightforce with my zero stop I made up asap

 

[Blackcloud]

If you forever adjust your turret slowly with the home made zero stop in place you might get away with prolonged use.

However, (before NF released the zero stop) a very good friend of mine trashed the scope on his call rifle with a home made zero stop in place. Quick adjustments to on targets of varying range requires you to dial back down to hit zero, then adjust to required elevation. (Thats the idea of the zero stop, you don't have to look at your turret for reference marks. Hit zero, the adjust required number of clicks).

The best part,,,,,, as he had a home made part in place which caused the very very fine brass threads inside the scope to strip out,,,,,, no warranty.


Take it for what its worth. If you choose to run with it, be very very careful.