bigcountry

Centering of a scope's adjustment dials
The elevation and windage adjustments of a scope are easily centered. Place a small mirror against the objective end of the scope. That would be the end farthest from your eye as you look through the scope. Make certain that the mirror is large enough to cover the entire objective. It must also be flat against the objective. With the scope's power selector ring set at the lowest magnification, look through the eyepiece as you would while aiming at a target. If the scope's windage and elevation adjustments are off center, you will see two images of the reticle (cross-hair). To reach the center of the adjustment range, simply turn the elevation and windage dials until you see only one image of the reticle.

jdreddish

Hmm
I'll have to try that

jdreddish

Yep it works !

just tried it with on old Weaver K4

I held it up flush to the mirror in the bathroom

speedgator

Good trick. I'll have to try it soon. Thanks for the info bc.

White-tail-deer

Thanks!! That works great!!

James B

Thanks BC.

kelbro

Am I missing something here? Is this for setting up a scope before you sight it in?

speedgator

Or if you have to readjust it for whatever reason.

bigcountry

Yes kelbro depending on which bases/rings you have. Some need full adjustment especially when using target turrets for long distance shooting. If you have Leupold bases with windage adjust screw in the rear, you want to have the scope windage centered before mounting or your just wasting your time buying the windage adjust bases. If you have rings with various inserts to fully ultilize the range for long distance you want your elevation centered or cantered low.

Scopes can do some funny things when at the limit of adjustment. For instance 4 clicks on a 1/4MOA scope can move your POI 2" instead of the 1" it specifies. Or moving the adjustement may not move the rectile at all. So centering is a good idea.

I myself never did this before. I always turn the adjustment until it stops in both directions and set in the middle.

kelbro

Thanks, that's what I thought. I seldom move a scope from one rifle to another so I have never thought about having to re-center the reticle. Most of the time, they stay on there for life. Makes sense now.