Scope Adjustments - are they really necessary?

[alfsauve]

So there was this ad for a new compact, mil-dot, tactical scope and I checked it out.   While looking over the specs something struck me as odd.  I'd love a compact, or at least less than full size, mil-dot scope for my AR.  Not real compact where I'm sacrificing optical quality, but at least a little trimmer/slimmer than typical.  Well the this scope looked like it might fill that bill, but something kept nagging at me.   And I've notice the same thing with other mil-dot scopes.  It's those big target knobs.   I may be the only one who finds this odd, but if I have a mil-dot reticle, then why do I need large complicated turrets?  In their ad-copy they go on about, easy to set/reset the turrets, easy to adjust, and easy to "dial in" bullet drop and wind drift.  But I don't want all that complication.  I just want to zero my rifle at a known distance, then use the dots.  That's the whole purpose of mil-dot, right? 

Now if we're talking some other reticle and you want to use the turrets fine. But to me those turrets are useless for mil-dot, not to mention, they just don't look very good either.  Like the scope has warts or something.   

[PoorSoulInJersey]

without the turrets, how do you plan to zero the rifle to the scope? It has to be adjustable somehow. They could go the little screws that the EOTechs use, but they have to have some kind of adjustment system.

[Texas_Bryan]

He's talking about those monster, practical joke size adjustments.  The ones that look like the knobs on a water faucet.

[alfsauve]

He's talking about those monster, practical joke size adjustments.  The ones that look like the knobs on a water faucet.

Well said Bryan.     I'm glad I'm not the only one who things they look just plain ugly.   

DON'T JUMP ON ME and tell me all the great advantages.  I understand what they do for knob tweakers.  I just don't think they're needed if you are using mil-dot.

[billt]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who things they look just plain ugly. I understand what they do for knob tweakers.  I just don't think they're needed if you are using mil-dot.

I agree. It's mostly a "tacticool thing". Another disadvantage is when you try to store the rifle in your gun safe, the big knobs interfere with the gun behind it. I can see it if your shooting in F-Class matches every weekend, but for 95% of shooters who have them, it is much like 4-Wheel drive. They don't need them. I just set up 2  new Savages with the Bushnell 3200 Elite Tactical 5-15X. They made zeroing in nice. I could do it sitting at the bench, behind the rifle. But once zeroed, they do nothing but sit there and "look cool". I had 3 guys come over to look at the rifles, all in their 20's. All of them asked about the scopes. They were in love!   Bill T.

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

Smaller turrets would be all you need for zeroing a particular load, I think it's more of that "Marketing" that is being talked about in the Remington thread.

[m25operator]

I would say mainly, for shooting beyond 350-400 yards, you could sit down and do some math and figure which mil dot you could use at what distance with your caliber and load and many shooters do, how ever, you will find if your shooting using the dot as a reference, it will cover up more of the target than the crosshairs, dot size varies, but an inch is not uncommon, so add an inch for each 100 yards and at 500 yards, your dot could cover up 5", also the dot will not always correspond to the actual spot you want to hit, the distance between the dots is 3.6moa, so it can leave a lot of haggle room for aiming. Beyond 300 yards, factors like wind and mirage start to have an effect and you need to be able to adjust for that. Most people do not shoot at distance, and a point blank zero setting will take care of 90% of the oppurtunities. I do have a range that offers 1,000 yards, and on special occasions up to 1700, from an elevated platform a good 40' in the air, so adjustability is a must. As my old rifle coach used to say, very few people can hold an inch off hand for a wind change, but all of us can adjust the sight for it.

[ericire12]

I would say mainly, for shooting beyond 350-400 yards, you could sit down and do some math and figure which mil dot you could use at what distance with your caliber and load and many shooters do, how ever, you will find if your shooting using the dot as a reference, it will cover up more of the target than the crosshairs, dot size varies, but an inch is not uncommon, so add an inch for each 100 yards and at 500 yards, your dot could cover up 5", also the dot will not always correspond to the actual spot you want to hit, the distance between the dots is 3.6moa, so it can leave a lot of haggle room for aiming. Beyond 300 yards, factors like wind and mirage start to have an effect and you need to be able to adjust for that. Most people do not shoot at distance, and a point blank zero setting will take care of 90% of the oppurtunities. I do have a range that offers 1,000 yards, and on special occasions up to 1700, from an elevated platform a good 40' in the air, so adjustability is a must. As my old rifle coach used to say, very few people can hold an inch off hand for a wind change, but all of us can adjust the sight for it.

Ding ding ding.... we have a winner..... close the thread

[Overload]

Wind adjustments?

Overload in CO

[Thanos]

Well said Bryan.     I'm glad I'm not the only one who things they look just plain ugly.   

Those aren't adjustment nobs, those are compensators.







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