GTA
Target Shooting Matches, Discussion & Events => Field Target Gates => Topic started by: old sparky on January 31, 2018, 07:51:20 PM
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Do you or anyone you have shot with have success shooting with a adjustable objective scope. Sadly I have spent too much money on airgun scopes and not been satisfied with the optic clarity. I have used the Leupold 6.5-20 EFR in small bore and have liked it. So I ordered one and sent it in to get the reticle changed to something with hash marks. I sure hope I am not wasting more time and money.
Thanks, Sparky
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I know multiple people who shoot with an AO scope.
They typically have a "donut" slipped over the objective to put scope tape on, and get some distance between the numbers.
I have a friend named Dave that shoots a Bushnell elite on his USFT and shot it very well, I believe he took 6th in open at Nationals. A few other AO scopes placed high at nats as well.
What class will you be shooting?
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Welcome to the GTA! Lots of friendly folk in here!
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The Leupold is a good scope, you will need to use tape and make your own range markers on it. There is a scope booster for it that will make it range a little better at the longer ranges, but it made my reticle too hard for me to see. Mine ranges a little short on cold days, so having some bracket data to fall back on is a good idea.
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Thank you for the welcome. Also thanks for the answers. If you can tell me more about this “donut” I would be interested in hearing. I am looking forward to getting the scope back. I hope its before the next shoot. I am anxious to learn more. I am shooting a Daystate Huntsman in the Hunter class.
thanks, Jim
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We get donuts in this gate :o brb I'm getting some coffee to wash the cookies from the dark side down ::)
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A donut is simply a ring slid over the objective of larger diameter. It provides a place to mark ranges and, by virtue of its larger diameter and circumference, more space to put the numbers and more space between them.
I have seen a couple. I do not know how one fabricates such a donut or how it is secured to the objective ring. Leo Duran has one on a Bushnell Elite, I believe. Might look him up on here or the other color forum and ask.
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Do you or anyone you have shot with have success shooting with a adjustable objective scope. Sadly I have spent too much money on airgun scopes and not been satisfied with the optic clarity. I have used the Leupold 6.5-20 EFR in small bore and have liked it. So I ordered one and sent it in to get the reticle changed to something with hash marks. I sure hope I am not wasting more time and money.
Thanks, Sparky
Years ago I used a 4-16x40 Bushnell Elite4200 scope with a duplex reticle for my hunter class field target shooting and in 2010 I actually took 4th place at a time when the hunter class was combined PCP and piston. Of 17 hunter class entries that year there were 17 entries and all but 5 were shooting PCPs........
(http://i67.tinypic.com/2zodj74.jpg)
(http://i67.tinypic.com/x1d9px.jpg)
Anywhoo.......I migrated from the AO scope with duplex reticle, to an AO scope with a "dotted reticle", then to a couple side focus scopes with "dotted reticle", and currently I'm using a Hawke Panorama 5-15x50mm with AO and "10x half mil dot illuminated reticle" and for hunter class shooting with magnification limitations it does work OK for my skill level.
I do believe that the SF scopes with large side wheel are more precise and convenient than an AO, but the recent rule change allowing 16x max magnification in the hunter class (vs the old 12x max) plus my 50mm objective does help with scope range finding, however as mentioned, an AO scope can certainly be used assuming that there is a definite "quick in focus/out focus" when turning the AO. LOL.....a few decades ago almost all scopes used for field target had AOs, but back then the target placement and killzone sizes were definitely more "shooter friendly"!
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Do you or anyone you have shot with have success shooting with a adjustable objective scope. Sadly I have spent too much money on airgun scopes and not been satisfied with the optic clarity. I have used the Leupold 6.5-20 EFR in small bore and have liked it. So I ordered one and sent it in to get the reticle changed to something with hash marks. I sure hope I am not wasting more time and money.
Thanks, Sparky
Years ago I used a 4-16x40 Bushnell Elite4200 scope with a duplex reticle for my hunter class field target shooting and in 2010 I actually took 4th place at a time when the hunter class was combined PCP and piston. Of 17 hunter class entries that year there were 17 entries and all but 5 were shooting PCPs........
(http://i67.tinypic.com/2zodj74.jpg)
(http://i67.tinypic.com/x1d9px.jpg)
Anywhoo.......I migrated from the AO scope with duplex reticle, to an AO scope with a "dotted reticle", then to a couple side focus scopes with "dotted reticle", and currently I'm using a Hawke Panorama 5-15x50mm with AO and "10x half mil dot illuminated reticle" and for hunter class shooting with magnification limitations it does work OK for my skill level.
I do believe that the SF scopes with large side wheel are more precise and convenient than an AO, but the recent rule change allowing 16x max magnification in the hunter class (vs the old 12x max) plus my 50mm objective does help with scope range finding, however as mentioned, an AO scope can certainly be used assuming that there is a definite "quick in focus/out focus" when turning the AO. LOL.....a few decades ago almost all scopes used for field target had AOs, but back then the target placement and killzone sizes were definitely more "shooter friendly"!
How on earth did you shoot hunter class with a duplex reticle?
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Do you or anyone you have shot with have success shooting with a adjustable objective scope. Sadly I have spent too much money on airgun scopes and not been satisfied with the optic clarity. I have used the Leupold 6.5-20 EFR in small bore and have liked it. So I ordered one and sent it in to get the reticle changed to something with hash marks. I sure hope I am not wasting more time and money.
Thanks, Sparky
Years ago I used a 4-16x40 Bushnell Elite4200 scope with a duplex reticle for my hunter class field target shooting and in 2010 I actually took 4th place at a time when the hunter class was combined PCP and piston. Of 17 hunter class entries that year there were 17 entries and all but 5 were shooting PCPs........
(http://i67.tinypic.com/2zodj74.jpg)
(http://i67.tinypic.com/x1d9px.jpg)
Anywhoo.......I migrated from the AO scope with duplex reticle, to an AO scope with a "dotted reticle", then to a couple side focus scopes with "dotted reticle", and currently I'm using a Hawke Panorama 5-15x50mm with AO and "10x half mil dot illuminated reticle" and for hunter class shooting with magnification limitations it does work OK for my skill level.
I do believe that the SF scopes with large side wheel are more precise and convenient than an AO, but the recent rule change allowing 16x max magnification in the hunter class (vs the old 12x max) plus my 50mm objective does help with scope range finding, however as mentioned, an AO scope can certainly be used assuming that there is a definite "quick in focus/out focus" when turning the AO. LOL.....a few decades ago almost all scopes used for field target had AOs, but back then the target placement and killzone sizes were definitely more "shooter friendly"!
How on earth did you shoot hunter class with a duplex reticle?
When shooting the duplex reticle I found that if I tuned my R9 or HW77k to shoot a CPL at 910-920fps, the point on the lower reticle duplex would be on the poi at 10 yards and then again at 50 yards using a medium height scope mount. With a 30 yard "far zero" I had a 16 yard "near zero" and a midrange rise of about 1/8" at 26ish yards. Most of the targets back then were set with a lower difficulty than now so the "hard aiming points" were sufficient. The aiming for the intermediate distances were done by holding "between the lower duplex point and the crosshair. I learned that using my setup if the target was at 55 yards and 1 1/2" in diameter I needed to hold at the top edge of the killzone to knock down the target.
Using scopes with "dotted reticles" I have more hard aiming points so I use a softer tune now (CPL @ 840ish fps) and all works out ok. Here is a pic of the reticle in my Hawke 5-15x50 Panorama......
(http://i66.tinypic.com/2dhb4lw.jpg)
I'll be 71 years old in a week and for the last few years my greatest challenge is scope rangefinding since my eyes aren't what they used to be. At times it's kinda "iffy" finding the sharp focus (especially at the old 12x max scope limit) but it's still a lot of fun simply getting out with other shooters at a ft course and spitting pellets at holes in metal silhouettes!
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I'll be 71 years old in a week and for the last few years my greatest challenge is scope rangefinding since my eyes aren't what they used to be. At times it's kinda "iffy" finding the sharp focus (especially at the old 12x max scope limit) but it's still a lot of fun simply getting out with other shooters at a ft course and spitting pellets at holes in metal silhouettes!
Here here, and dilly dilly!!! ;D ;D ;D
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Figured it was something like that. As a relatively new FT shooter, I get a lot from your posts. Thank you.
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While I shoot a loupy 6.5-20 EFR "Air gun" on the .17 HMR, have not heard of much success with them in FT hearing time and time again they are VERY temp sensitive and don't repeat well with changing temps threw out a match.
Perhaps in more recent years leupold has addressed this & yours will be be just fine.
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AO scopes are fine, and I know a few who use them successfully.
However...
Aside from the obvious need for a donut and the natural limitations of installing one of any useful size, I have experienced operational complications...
Most AOs I have used are rather stiff in rotation... lots of drag in the mechanism. As a result, the image you see while range-finding shifts about the scope's axis. This visual distraction makes it difficult to detect focus lock-in with the additional movement (ie, not a steady view). I have not had the patience of operating a stiff AO for hundreds if not thousands of shots to see if the stiffness loosens up, when there are so many better options available.
In contrast, a side-focus mechanism operates with side forces (lack of a better word) that do not torque the scope in rotation. This means that the image is steady, and the shooter can keep a good -- steady -- field of view while focus range-finding.
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AO scopes are fine, and I know a few who use them successfully.
However...
Aside from the obvious need for a donut and the natural limitations of installing one of any useful size, I have experienced operational complications...
Most AOs I have used are rather stiff in rotation... lots of drag in the mechanism. As a result, the image you see while range-finding shifts about the scope's axis. This visual distraction makes it difficult to detect focus lock-in with the additional movement (ie, not a steady view). I have not had the patience of operating a stiff AO for hundreds if not thousands of shots to see if the stiffness loosens up, when there are so many better options available.
In contrast, a side-focus mechanism operates with side forces (lack of a better word) that do not torque the scope in rotation. This means that the image is steady, and the shooter can keep a good -- steady -- field of view while focus range-finding.
Hummm...there are disadvantages to both focusing systems, especially for the lower to mid priced offerings. For me and my side focus scopes there is slop/backlash in the side focus mechanism. As long as the side wheel focusing always ends with the same direction of rotation (same for an AO) this backlash should be "dialed out".
Anywhoo.....when I had a 4-16x40 Bushnell Elite 4200 AO I never had issues with a "stiff AO" regardless of the temperature and focusing was very consistent. On the other hand I bought a 5-15x40 Bushnell Legend because it had a mil-dot reticle and good optics. LOL....that AO was so stiff turning that getting a scope rangefind was exactually as you mentioned, but when it got cold I almost needed a ViseGrip on the AO to focus. That scope didn't get used very often and was sold. The AO of my 5-15x50 Hawke Panorama is rather easy to focus and I do like it. Years ago I owned a 2.5-16x50 Bushnell Elite 6500 (the most expensive scope I've owned) which had a 30mm tube and side focus and it was sold soon after receiving it due to the excessive (IMHO) backlash of the side focus mechanism for a scope costing over $750!
I also owned a 3-12x50 Aeon side focus with 30mm tube and after a season on my .177 R9 the side focus mechanism "messed up" to the point that if I did three rangefinds from the same position my "marker" would register at three different positions on the side wheel after focusing, then it got to the point that focusing the side wheel had little affect on the focus. It was then that I read that even if I used the Aeon brand sidewheel on a recoiling springer the warranty was "null & void". Anywhoo.....this did give me the idea that the side focus mechanism is less robust than the front AO........well, with the low to mid price range scopes anyway.
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A lot of good information here. I probably should have started asking questions before buying three scopes. When the Leupold gets back I will give it a try for awhile for sure. I am curious about the reputable ranging. I have had a couple of the 6.5-20 Leupold's on my small bore silhouette guns and they are great for reputable turret changes. But I never considered if the adjustable parallax was repeatable for ranging. It seems like I think I have ranging figured out at home but when I have shot at the matches my 50-55 range is in doubt. With my scope at 16 power I can’t see my pellet impact at 50 so I am not sure when I'm shooting high or low.. Next shoot I will have my son spot with binoculars so I have a clue. I have also considered not shooting hunter and turning the scope up till I get the ranging part of the game figured out. I look forward to reading more about this sport, now that I found this forum. Thanks to all of you for taking the time to answer my questions.
thank you, Jim
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A donut is simply a ring slid over the objective of larger diameter. It provides a place to mark ranges and, by virtue of its larger diameter and circumference, more space to put the numbers and more space between them.
I have seen a couple. I do not know how one fabricates such a donut or how it is secured to the objective ring. Leo Duran has one on a Bushnell Elite, I believe. Might look him up on here or the other color forum and ask.
OK, so I am thinking about adding a Weaver Grand Slam 4.5-14 (excellent glass) to my HW97K shooting around 12FPE. The scope has a duplex reticle so it will be a challenge like NCED suggested. I am curious though about attaching a "donut" to the AO for help in range finding. Anyone have some help in a DIY or commercial available product?
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A donut is simply a ring slid over the objective of larger diameter. It provides a place to mark ranges and, by virtue of its larger diameter and circumference, more space to put the numbers and more space between them.
I have seen a couple. I do not know how one fabricates such a donut or how it is secured to the objective ring. Leo Duran has one on a Bushnell Elite, I believe. Might look him up on here or the other color forum and ask.
OK, so I am thinking about adding a Weaver Grand Slam 4.5-14 (excellent glass) to my HW97K shooting around 12FPE. The scope has a duplex reticle so it will be a challenge like NCED suggested. I am curious though about attaching a "donut" to the AO for help in range finding. Anyone have some help in a DIY or commercial available product?
I don't believe there is a commercially available option. There was a recent thread on this on the yellow FT forum.