Field Target Tech Channel Episode #7 Optically Centering a Scope

In this episode of Field Target Tech I describe the adverse effects of bottoming out scope turrets, and how to optically center a scope.
Tom Holland
[e-mail]
Assistant Match Director
Eastern Suffolk Competitive Airgunners Association (ESCAA) Long Island NY escaaclub.com
Scott Allen interviews Tom Holland in Episode 12 of the Field Target Podcast
ftpodcast.com

[@thgrweed45]

Thank you for making this great instructional video. I’m new to scopes and I am guilty of adjusting scope way to far. I will try your method to get scope back to optical zero. I will be ordering a set of Sportsmatch ATP-66 2-Pc 30mm Fully Adjustable Extra High Scope Mounts. Make adjustments with mounts then fine tune with turret. Thanks again.

[@abitoutside]

Great video brother

[@bertpellegrini6938]

Hello, glad I found your vids. Been very helpfull. Keepem coming!!!!

[@sniperxbow60]

Frank, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm trying to touch on the most important aspects of Field Target shooting in particular, one by one. If you or anyone else has any ideas or suggestions that you guys want to see, give me a shout. Same goes if anyone needs more info, or extra clarification on any of my videos. Thanks again.

[@sniperxbow60]

Bert, when adjusting a scope for optical center, you can start with the lowest magnification first, then move onto the highest. That will make it easier, a scope should always be optically centered at the highest level of magnification. When sighting in, that should be done at the highest magnification as well.

[@slowturtle6745]

Thanks for the simple explanation.

[@janosbajusz4680]

Thank you 👍

[@Trailryder42]

Yes, thanks for the explanation. I just tried it. Very hard and inaccurate trying to keep the same objective with your eye as you rotate and view the reticle. I ended up putting my iPhone on a tripod and viewing the reticle thru it. It is a stable image that way and all I had to do was rotate the scope in the jig (that I had clamped to the table top so it couldn't move either) and watch the screen. Took several minutes for me to wrap my old brain around how to adjust the turrets so the dot comes into center as you rotate the scope, but I got it done.

[@willacewallace5905]

Great video tip. I've done the mirror and glass trick, too. Now, I center with the scope mounted on the rifle. Place the scoped rifle in a shooting base, then have the rings loose enough so the scope can rotate, adjust as needed to get ceners.

[@huntair]

Don't the turrets interfere with rotating the scope?

[@willacewallace5905]

huntair only for 90 degrees of rotation are they in the way. Outside of that, there is 270 degrees of rotation to play with.

[@BarnyDaddy]

Tom, I could have used this video throughout 2017. I have a very nice D52 and all last year was fussing with a Hawke Endurance for Hunter FT. 20-55 yards...deadly. Inside 20 yards not a chance in.... Sent the scope to Hawke. Nothing wrong. (I had bought it used.) When I came back I did the center routine. All the way down, then all the way up, then half way. DITIO for the windage. I mounted the scope on a UTG droop mount with extra strong rings. Put the target at 25 yards (I was feeling real cocky) and took a shot with some 10.34AA. First shot at 25...1 inch low and 1 inch right. About 12 clicks up and 12 clicks right and bingo. Very nice video. I will watch them all. Frank

[@BarnyDaddy]

I meant the first shot was one inch left...

[@davidmaco1]

hey tom do you know if those mounts you mentioned would hold up to a springer? great video

[@bertpellegrini6938]

What magnification should you do that optical center on? highest mag. or lowest mag. Thanks

[@richardgraham65]

That is a very good method thanks! Do you know that Hawke actually recommend your first method in their Airmax manual (screw all the way to one end of the clicks then back it off half of the MOA range!

[@tomatepintor6203]

En cuántos aumentos dispara 50X ???

[@sniperxbow60]

Do not understand, please comment in English

[@tomatepintor6203]

At how many magnifications does ir shoot 50X ???

[@sniperxbow60]

@@tomatepintor6203 the larger scope has a magnification of 10x to 40x. The smaller scope I used was a fixed 4x.

[@dougdiver8637]

Tm,,Tom,,optically centering the scope,,,,does NOT,,take care of the scope running out of adjustment,,,,using adjustable scope mounts WILL take care of this problem

[@sniperxbow60]

Doug, yes, you are correct, I state that about 3/4 though the video, on how to properly mount an optically centered scope using fully adjustable mounts