Accuracy gets worse the higher I set the magnification?

[NickB79]

I zeroed my tried and true 12-yr old Tasco 3-9x32 AO scope (yes, it's AG-rated) on a rifle this spring, and at first it was shooting pretty good.  The zeroing was done at 15 yards, at 5X magnfication.  Yesterday, I went out to shoot some targets at longer range, turned the magnification to 7X, and suddenly I'm all over the map, just shotgun patterns.  I switch to another brand of pellets I know to be accurate, and same thing.  What should have been 1" groups were 3" groups at 36 yards.  Frustrated, I turn the mag up to 9X, and now I'm over 6" (I say over 6" because that's how large my target was, and a few shots missed the target altogether!)

Thinking for a moment, I realized the only thing that changed was the magnification.  Turned back down to 5X, my groups improved markedly, but were now off the original POI (shooting 2" high instead of dead-on like I wanted).

Turning the elevation knob, what should have dropped the group 2" per the number of clicks instead dropped it 3", and moved it 1" to the right.  I finally got it where I want it after a lot of trial and error, but my confidence is ruined in the gun/optic combo.

I'm 99% sure this scope is dead, but just wanted a little feedback before I chuck it in the garbage.  Thanks!

[Booger]

I zeroed my tried and true 12-yr old Tasco 3-9x32 AO scope (yes, it's AG-rated) on a rifle this spring, and at first it was shooting pretty good.  The zeroing was done at 15 yards, at 5X magnfication.  Yesterday, I went out to shoot some targets at longer range, turned the magnification to 7X, and suddenly I'm all over the map, just shotgun patterns.  I switch to another brand of pellets I know to be accurate, and same thing.  What should have been 1" groups were 3" groups at 36 yards.  Frustrated, I turn the mag up to 9X, and now I'm over 6" (I say over 6" because that's how large my target was, and a few shots missed the target altogether!)

Thinking for a moment, I realized the only thing that changed was the magnification.  Turned back down to 5X, my groups improved markedly, but were now off the original POI (shooting 2" high instead of dead-on like I wanted).

Turning the elevation knob, what should have dropped the group 2" per the number of clicks instead dropped it 3", and moved it 1" to the right.  I finally got it where I want it after a lot of trial and error, but my confidence is ruined in the gun/optic combo.

I'm 99% sure this scope is dead, but just wanted a little feedback before I chuck it in the garbage.  Thanks!

+.01=1.0=100%

[Motorhead]

Unless scope in somewhat operating +/- optical center it very likely will shift L/R or U/D when you are adjusting it.
As too decrease in accuracy as MAG is raised ... sounds more a parallax & head/eye position issue

[mobilehomer]

Try a different scope or gun. If it is the scope, Tasco has lifetime warranty. Send it back.

[crosman999]

Have you tried to sight the gun in at long range with 7x/9x ?Chances are you might not have had the gun sighted in as well as you thought..Otherwise I would say it's not functioning properly or your mount,rings etc, are coming loose

[maraudinglizard]

I have the same scope on one of my rifles.  First is to adjust the eye piece until the reticle becomes clear to you(no fuzzy edges). This does not involved distances just use a light colored background so you can see the reticle. If it has a lock ring on just back it off then make your adjustments, rotate the eyepiece in or out until the reticle is clear in your sight and lock it in place with the lock ring. This is a one time adjustment unless your eyesight changes later on.

Next, set up a target at about 10yds. Adjust the power to 9x and adjust the parallax until the target becomes clear. Shoot a group and see where it is hitting the target and make the adjustments until you have it zeroed at that distance. Move to 20yds, again the scope at 9x and adjust the parallax, shoot the next to see where it is hitting, if everything is adjusted right you should be a little high above the bull, don't make any adjustments at this point. Move to 30yds and do the same thing, it will do one of the following, be zero or be a little low or high on the bull. Now you can adjust your scope to that distance and not be all over the place. It just depends on what your are shooting as far as pellets and caliber. This is just a basic starting point for sighting it in, hope this helps you. Sometimes little steps are easier to take than one leap of a cliff. Good luck!

http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Adjustable-Objective-Rifle-Scopes

http://www.arld1.com/parallax.html

http://www.arld1.com/trajectory.html

[NickB79]

Just wanted to post a follow-up in this thread.

It was the scope.

Like I said initially, this optic was 12 years old.  Most of that time it was on an RWS 93 springer that was very accurate at any magnification.  Since it had an A/O on it, I never had issues with parallax at various ranges, and cheek weld has never been an issue either, having fired many thousands of rounds to perfect my hold over the years.

I saw the scope I've been lusting over, the UTG 6X Bugbuster, on sale at Amazon last week, and since I had an Amazon gift certificate, I jumped on it.  This thing is built like a tank!  For $72, it was a steal.

All is well now, and small groups and consistent POI are back again :-)