I've been going through the last stages of getting ready for my upcoming ML mule deer hunt in Utah and I thought this range session would be my last. Ran into problem though. My TC 1X32 scope went tits up.
This pic shows the first eight consecutive shots with NO adjustments to the scope. The first shot was from solvent cleaned and scrubbed bore. Shots 2, 3, and 4 seemed to settle in. Shot 5 went way left. WTF? Shots 7, 8, and 9 produced a 1.030" group but to a different POI. Shots 1, 2, 3, and 5 are in a straight diagonal line.
I adjusted the scope up 4 clicks up and 1 click right before shot # 9 and that moved the POI left with no change in elevation. It became apparent that my scope wasn't holding a consistent POI or tracking correctly.
This was a new to me used scope I bought from fleabay and it looks brand new with no ring marks or any sign of abuse. The glass in it is very good and even in low light. I like the scope but ...
My first clue that something wasn't right was the clicks weren't smooth. It seemed to hang up bit at first but that went away. I also had problem during a prior range session because it seemed to not track right. I thought it was me twisting the adjustments the wrong way but now I what the problem was.
The bad thing is I'm leaving on Saturday and I cannot find a 1X scope anywhere in Colorado and I've searched high and low. No big deal though. My buddy from CA is bringing a new in the box Vortex 1X24 that I can sight at hunting camp.
One thing that's worth mentioning is the sight-in target I used. It is THE BEST 1x target that I've used. When the crosshairs line up the white border absolutely pops into view. The spacing between black sections are 5" and it leaves little to no room for sighting errors. I cut the black squares from 8 1/2" sheets and taped them to a large white sheet. DIY
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The components
My shooting bench and accessories
The wide open Colorado prairie and the target at 100 yards
Obligatory shameless selfie of my old mug
My hunting buddies.