Blurry Scope crosshair

[spittny]

Hi all,

I recently purchased a weaver 3-9x40 Ballistic X scope for £145, I know is ‘cheap’ but its weaver, which I had heard good things about. Basically I cannot seem to focus on the crosshair and target at the same time, one or the other is blurry, I generally shoot better with the Iron sights at the min.

I have used a number of different scopes with mixed results, some are blurry but some are fine. My friend has a Leupold scope which I have used and I don’t have this issue, it’s crystal clear each time.

Have I just purchased a ‘cheap’ scope? Is this common on the ‘lower priced’ range of scopes?
Any advice or scope recommendations would be much appreciated.
Fyi primarily I am using the scope for 25 yard target shooting with a 22lr but I am interested in shooting full bore so any high-magnification scope recommendations would also be appreciated.

Thanks in advance, kind regards
Simon.

[gun nut]

Firstly you need to check the scope 'settings'. Start by getting the eye relief correct by adjusting the scope backwards and forwards at full magnification until you can see the entire sight picture without any rings of black around the outside.
Next you need to set the reticle focus by adjusting the ocular (one closest to the eye) bell. Do this by aiming at the sky or a white background - the reticle should appear clear the instant you look through the scope. If it isn't turn the ocular bell until it is clear as soon as you look through (shutting and opening your eyes helps).
Have a look to see if the scope is parallax adjustable at the front or side as this will make the reticle appear out of focus if not adjusted correctly.
Most hunting scopes that are not adjustable are set to be parallax free at 100 yds so shooting at 25 yds on high magnification may make the reticle appear out of focus.
Hope this helps a bit.

[Clive Ward]

Hi Simon,

In addition to the above excellent advice it's worth getting an eye test done. If you wear glasses, wear them.

If your eyes are outside the proper range for the eyepiece then it will shift the apparent object focus so you can get a problem getting them both in focus as the scopes lenses wont move far enough to achieve it. Or the scope could be faulty.

I had terrible problems with a Leupold tactical scope years ago before I was involved in optics and even complained to the factory about it. I could only get one or the other planes of the cross hair in focus at any one time, never both. They suggested an eye test which revealed astigmatism cured by suitable geps.

The astigmatism has now gone but I do have a minute prescription which I have made into my shooting glasses. ESS in the USA did mine. I wear them for anything requiring full accuracy.

[Buffy Vampire Slayer]

first job as has already been mentioned,have a play with the ocular bell focusing ring.
99.9% of the time this is the problem

[spittny]

Afternoon all

Many thanks for the advice, I will have a play with my scope tonight and tomorrow when I am at the range. I have had an eye test a few years ago and other scopes seem fine by I will certainly bare that in mind.

Thanks again for all the information its much appreciated, I will let you know how I get on.

Cheers guys
Sy

[red_mamba]

25y might be too close if it's a fixed parallax scope set to 100y

[spittny]

Hi all

Red_mamba I think you are spot on, I have been playing with the scope and the ‘focus ring’ does not seem to do anything (but the manual says some lower models will have a dummy ring, my scope I know is low end at £145), however when I zoom out to about x3-x4 its spot on (at 25 yards), crystal clear, if I zoom to x9 (at 25 yards) is blurry, I had just come to this conclusion and was about to ask could this be the case and have seen your post red_mamba so I think this is why.

Thanks all for the help guys, I have learnt a lot.

Cheers.
Sy.

[leadpig]

the ‘focus ring’ does not seem to do anything (but the manual says some lower models will have a dummy ring, my scope I know is low end at £145).

and that has put me off weaver scopes for life,what a shitty thing to do

[flintlok]

I gave up on Weaver scopes long, long ago.

[The_Dogge]

If it is the case that the scope is fixed paralax and set to 100yd (which is usual) then you can adjust that. You'll find that the objective lens end has a locking ring at the end, unscrew this and you will see the objective lens carrier with two slots (nicks really). If you unscrew this a turn or two it adjusts focus and paralax closer. Don't go too far, if you unscrew the lens completely you lose the gas fill, but that is a tiny risk, I've never done it and I've adjusted several scopes like this.