Rotating the Scope 90 Degrees

[Joe549]

Don't know if this has ever been discussed. But if you mount a scope in the rings and then rotate it 90 degrees counter clockwise, putting the elevation turret on the left hand side and the windage on the top, can this configuration be effectively utilized?

Obviously this could not work with all scopes depending on the type of reticle, but with a standard mil-dot or V-Plex where the reticle is the same on all sides. What I'm thinking is, the windage knob would now become the elevation and the elevation would be windage and both can be easily adjusted with the left hand while the right remains on the grip.

I ask this because I got thinking about it last time I was sighting in a scope. I am right handed and shoot right handed. When I sight in, I have the rifle butt into my shoulder and my right hand holding the grip trying to maintain as much steadiness as possible while looking through the scope to see where my crosshairs are moving to. when I attempt to adjust the windage knob, I have to either try and reach over the top with my left hand which causes me to be stretched out to the point that I am causing the gun to move. If I use my right hand, I am breaking my grip on the gun and again causing it to move during adjustment. If the scope were rotated 90 degrees, I could reach both turrets easily with my left hand and still be able to maintain a solid grip on the rifle and minimize the amount of movement..

Thoughts?

 

[IMagius]

My uncle was a lefty, and he ran all his scopes a 1/4 turn CCW ... and he always out shot me ... I think the more critical thing is that the crosshairs are level.

 

[chalkriver]

Sounds to me like it should work fine . And if your scope has the little rings to show the direction of adjust and if they can come off you could swap them as well and they should still correspond correctly.

 

[Nic3500]

I do not see any problem with that. The only downside is that the arrows and indications on the turrets do not represent the reality anymore. Just remember that windage is how elevation.

But you can only do that if your scope has 2 turrets. Mine has 3, can't do that. But I understand your argument, I shoot lefty so I adjust my windage with my right hand, not taking away my shooting hand.

For zeroing your scope, why don't you just set it down on a couple sandbags? No need to hold it steady.

Then again my scope has way more elevation clicks than windage clicks. That could be an issue if your scope is not close to zero when you install it. And if you need to shoot longer range you might run out of clicks.

Don't just do what I have seen, turn it 45 degrees to get an X. Impossible to adjust!

 

[Joe549]

I do not see any problem with that. The only downside is that the arrows and indications on the turrets do not represent the reality anymore. Just remember that windage is how elevation.

But you can only do that if your scope has 2 turrets. Mine has 3, can't do that. But I understand your argument, I shoot lefty so I adjust my windage with my right hand, not taking away my shooting hand.

For zeroing your scope, why don't you just set it down on a couple sandbags? No need to hold it steady.

Then again my scope has way more elevation clicks than windage clicks. That could be an issue if your scope is not close to zero when you install it. And if you need to shoot longer range you might run out of clicks.

Don't just do what I have seen, turn it 45 degrees to get an X. Impossible to adjust!

I've tried this and a few other techniques., I always manage to bump the gun around. I find that adjusting the scope works best for me if I am in the same position, or as close to as possible, as I am while shooting. I seem to use less ammo that way, which is kind of nice when you are using factory loads that cost upwards of $45 a box...

 

[Nic3500]

I've tried this and a few other techniques., I always manage to bump the gun around. I find that adjusting the scope works best for me if I am in the same position, or as close to as possible, as I am while shooting. I seem to use less ammo that way, which is kind of nice when you are using factory loads that cost upwards of $45 a box...

I use this:
http: //www.shootersridge.com/products/shootingrests/tabletoprests/deluxeriflerest.aspx

After firing a shoot, I aim it back to target center and adjust turrets according to result. Works like a charm.

Man 45$ a box, that sure would cut down on my shooting!

 

[Joe549]

I use this:
http: //www.shootersridge.com/products/shootingrests/tabletoprests/deluxeriflerest.aspx

After firing a shoot, I aim it back to target center and adjust turrets according to result. Works like a charm.

Man 45$ a box, that sure would cut down on my shooting!

I've been keeping my open for a decent rest setup whenever I'm in the stores, just haven't seen one yet that I like. $45 is what I pay for a box of Federal Premium for my .270. It's the only ammo so far that shoots really well.

 

[jjohnwm]

I've set up a number of scopes this way, and it works fine. I never even thought about how it would be convenient for lefties...I just did it on rifles that dinged the turret with brass while ejecting.