Before I mount a used scope on my rifle, should it be "zeroed", if there is a way? I don't want to find out that I am almost out of adjustment in one direction or another.

Thanks

I myself mount the scope then look threw the bore of the rifle at someting let say 25 yards .center the target in the bore and adjust the scope cross hairs on the target.

Before you mount your scope it can be zeroed by, placing the scope to it’s lowest magnification. Get a small mirror that is large enough to cover the obj. lens and sit the scope on this mirror. Looking through the scope you’ll see the cross hairs and dial it in so that you only see one set of cross hair. This will set the cross hairs to center of the scope and you’re good to go. Follow the directions lonewolf suggested to simplify setting the scope on the rifle to bore sight your set up. Good luck...

Or, you can zero the long way, by adusting both horizontal and vertical all the way to one direction, then adjust all the way the other direction, while counting the number of clicks and then finally going back the other direction again, half the total number of clicks. This will zero the scope.

Yes you can as stated above or you can simply forget about it and adjust your scope as needed. Use the base adjustments as much as you can(if you use an adjustable base such as leupold) then adjust with the dials. If you are still so off base that the scope won't zero then the problem is with your mounting. Whether you zeroed it beforehand wouldn't make a hair of a difference.Its basically a non issue. Your scope as mounted has a certain range of adjustment and you are in that range or out of it regardless of where in that range you startfrom. Think about it.

If you start with a scope that hasthe windageadjustment screw adjusted all the way to one side,then use your base windage screws to do a rough zero,you may not have enough adjustment in the scope to fine tune the zero.If you start with the scope windageadjustments in the center of the adjustment range and rough zero with the base windage screws,you will have plenty of adjustment left for fine tuning.

Thanks Everyone!!

Thanks trailer I've always done it the LONG way

Well I can’t take all the credit. The info originally came from a member on this forum. I just try to pass it on...

Now that I went out and did it your answer made most sense.

Make sure my rings are seated and solid (Ruger rings are made forslots on Ruger rifles). Zero the windage screws on the rings, which are easily visible. Make sure the scope is well seated in the rings. Boresight it and start shooting. If I zeroed the scope first, I would just dial it to wherever it boresighted anyway. And if I run out of adjustment, I'm either in a hurricane or I'm trying to zero at 2000 yards.

Now it seems kinda like adumb question. Thanks