Have you ever been trying to shoot a target with your rifle but cannot seem to hit the mark? Maybe no matter how you twirl your adjustment dials, the target always manages to elude you. If these scenarios describe your current situation, you may be experiencing rifle scope adjustment problems. However, knowing how to tell if a scope is bad will help you confirm.
On that note, this article will help you. But first, let us examine some of the benefits of using a well-functioning rifle scope.
The Advantages of Scopes in Rifle Shooting
Here are some of the advantages that using a top-notch scope during rifle shooting affords you
- It increases your chances of shooting accurately and hitting your target. With a functional scope, you significantly decreased the odds of missing your target.
- It enables you to deduce the precise maximum distance beyond which you may be able to hit your target. This way, you can work out the ideal distance from which you can hit your target.
- It ensures safer shooting as a rifle scope will show the exact path your bullet will travel. This way, you can cut down on the chances of causing accidents or injuries.
- It gives you a confidence boost (especially as a beginner shooter). This is particularly crucial as most beginners need the extra motivation to attempt a target.
Undoubtedly, it can be very frustrating when you put all the proper measures for accurate shooting in place yet keep missing your target. However, several issues can cause you to miss your mark — from inaccurate elevation correction to wrong wind calculations. Also, improper firing techniques can cause you to miss your target.
But, if you have the above steps in place, then the culprit may be scope problems.
Not to worry, in this article, we’ll share some insight into how to determine if the scope of your rifle is already bad. We’ll also give you some quick troubleshooting tips that can help you rectify some common scope problems. So, don’t stop reading.
How to Tell if Your Scope is Bad
Here are some signs you can look out for when trying to decide if your scope is terrible:
Significant shot-to-shot variance in Point of Impact with appropriate loads
One of the most accurate indications that you may need to get a new scope (or send your old one back to the company) is when you start experiencing considerable variations in your POIs.
If you’re using bullets that correspond to the type of rifle you’re shooting with and your account for wind, elevation, and whatnot correctly. Still, you’re getting large variations between each shot. Your scope may be ‘shot’ (pun intended).
While slight shot-to-shot variations in terms of your Point of Impacts are understandable (and even expected), once the margin grows too wide, you may need to start paying close attention to the condition of your scope.
Uneven tracking (either horizontal or vertical)
Are you trying to track your shorts horizontally but cannot seem to achieve a semblance of a straight line? Perhaps you’re even tracking vertically, and the results are no different. In cases like this, the shooter is often the problem. However, in some less common scenarios, the issue may be with the scope of the rifle.
An excellent way to know for sure is to install your scope on another rifle and then try to track once more. If the results remain uneven, then it is more than likely that you’re experiencing scope problems.
Change of Point of Impact does not correspond to the number of clicks
Adjustment dials can mean all the world when it comes to shooting accurately with a rifle scope. However, when your scope goes bad or the dials are faulty, your rifle accuracy essentially goes down the drain. Therefore, if your Point of Impact change does not correlate with the twirls you gave your adjustment dial, then the scope may be faulty.
Failure to zero after a fair number of shots
Did you know that you can accurately zero your rifle after only two shots? However, it takes more than two shots to sight in their rifle for most people, but not by much. With a red scope, you can even do it without shooting!
But, if it’s taking you too many shots to sight in your rifle correctly, or you’re even unable to zero it in, then your scope may need replacement.
Unexpected changes in needed click values
If you’ve been using a rifle and scope for a while, at some point, you’d be able to approximate or predict the number of click values you need to make a specific adjustment. Understandably, your predictions may sometimes be off by a click or two. However, if there is too much disparity, there may be a problem with your scope.
Visible Shift in reticle from the center of the lens
If your scope’s reticle is visibly displaced from the center of the scope, that’s a sure-fire indication that there is something wrong with the scope itself. The reticle of your rifle scope (or any scope for that matter) should always be at the center if you want to achieve accurate results while shooting. So, look out for that!
Resistance when clicking or varying click-to-click ‘feel’
While your scope adjustment dials are not designed to move freely, they should also not be stiff when you try to turn them. Therefore, if you detect any excess resistance while turning the dials or notice a significant change in the resistance, you may need to take your scope in for professional maintenance.
Inability to set parallax for sharper image
Another common rifle scope problem that indicates your scope is bad is when you get an image out of focus. If you cannot set parallax for your scope and achieve a sharp image, you may be unable to hit anything accurately. So, if the image in your rifle scope is out of focus, you may need to replace it.
The rattling of internal scope components
Finally, the recoil of your rifle, accidental drops, and daily wear are just some of the many reasons that can break or dislodge components in your scope. If this happens, you’ll most likely hear objects rattling around inside the scope. Once you hear such sounds, you should know that something is not right with your scope.
Troubleshooting a Faulty Scope
It may be challenging for the average person to fix a faulty scope more often than not, except for an experienced scope builder. Therefore, it is usually more advisable to take your rifle to scope to a professional repairer if it ever gets faulty. Or even better, return it to the manufacturer to be double sure.
Hopefully, this article helps you understand how to tell if a scope is bad. Let us know if the tips we shared work for you!
FAQ
Why does my scope lose zero?
The most likely reason your scope will lose zero if there are loose screws in the mount. Overtightened screws may also cause zero loss. Incorrect mounting and cleaning mistakes are also other possible reasons.
