Re-centre used scope?

[MD]

I'm going to "borrow" a scope off a rifle I don't use to put on another one I have that I'd like to shoot more.

I've had good luck doing this before with used scopes without touching the dial and have never re-centred the crosshairs first.

I had bad luck yesterday and actually broke something inside a scope winding the dial all the way and then some to sight in a rifle so I was wondering if it was better to have the scope re-centred before trying to use it.

 

[Why not?]

The easiest way to do this is to place the objective of the scope tight against a mirror in a bright room. I use the bathroom.

You will see two images of the reticule. One is the actual reticule, the other the reflection in the mirror. Simply adjust the windage and elevation until the two images are together and the scope will be centered.

Have done this for years. Takes about a minute, and it always works.

Ted

 

[saskgunowner101]

Please share more of your "jedi" secrets!

 

[lineofsight]

You will see two images of the reticule. One is the actual reticule, the other the reflection in the mirror. Simply adjust the windage and elevation until the two images are together and the scope will be centered.

Ted, cheers that is excellent.

 

[the wrench]

Ted,my man, where in the world did you get this from? Brilliant!

 

[sunray]

"...actually broke something inside a scope..." That'll need repairing before you do anything else.

 

[MD]

sunray, I'm going to use a different scope.

I don't think bushnell repairs 30 year-old Banners for free.

 

[The Cold Lake Kid]

I thought Bushnell guaranteed all their scopes at that time.
Might cost you a phone call to find out for sure.

 

[bigbull]

I thought Bushnell guaranteed all their scopes at that time.
Might cost you a phone call to find out for sure.

I thought they did also

Does anybody know when in fact they started offering the lifetime warranty?
bigbull

 

[heavyBullet]

I had a 12 + yr. old Trophy that they replaced with a new Elite.

 

[MD]

They replaced a 27 year-old pair of Bushnell Ensign binoculars for me last year, so there's hope!

 

[Why not?]

Ted,my man, where in the world did you get this from? Brilliant!

No doubt someone told me, but it was a long time ago and honestly can't remember. Like many great ideas, it's pretty simple.

Give it a try and you'll see.

Ted

 

[Why not?]

Please share more of your "jedi" secrets!

Problem is, I can't remember most of them until someone needs something like this.

This one I do remember, and is the first thing I do whenever I get a used scope. Always check new ones, too. They are usually right on.

Ted

 

[Boomer]

Ted, great advise.

MD, If you can center the adjustments on your scope, then use the mounts to get your windage close, that will save you using up adjustment. If your mounts are fixed, you are out of luck. Centering your elevation doesn't help you.

I lucked out yesterday. My .243 needed some work and I had taken the scope off prior to sending it out. I bore sighted it on a distant rock just using the windage adjustment in the Millet rings. I fired one shot at 200 for confirmation, and I didn't need to make another adjustment. Sometimes you get lucky.