Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Decided to test my scope and damaged it

A while ago on here I read about testing your scopes ability to hold zero by dropping it onto a padded shooting mat and then firing it to see if it remain zeroed I thought that sounded like a good way to damage an expensive scope and wasn’t planning on doing it. But then I started thinking these big tactical scopes are super tough and it would be a good way to prove my set up could take some bumps.

At the range yesterday I dropped my scope onto my shooting pad from 12 inches on his left side and fired a shot, then on its right side and fire, then on top. The rounds landed right in the group so I tried it again from 36 inches. I was cringing while I did it and thinking wow I’m being really stupid but all three rounds stayed right in the group and I was feeling pretty happy with my rifle it’s bedding the scope mounts and scope and then I looked at my scope windage knob.

It looks like the leaning Tower of Pisa. It’s a pop-up knob on a weaver tactical 3 to 15 and it took a lot of effort to get it to pop up and then I had to push it halfway in to make adjustments. To seat it I have to strike it hard with my palm a few times.

I feel like an absolute idiot. I don’t think I should send it in when I intentionally broke it. The scope is still holding zero so I guess as long as I didn’t ruin the waterproof integrity I’ll live with it but I have ruined any resale value and will definitely not be able to make quick windage corrections by dialing anymore. When I go back to the range I will need to see if somethings bent inSide and if it will still track with the elevation knob.

I stopped without testing the other scopes :-)

And yes, I realize I should be called some dumb names. Intentionally abusing a $500 scope like that… I really don’t know what I was thinking.

Sorry for the punctuation and typos, I’m speaking into the iPad

nothing.....

Curiosity gets the best of all of us sometimes but you need to listen to that voice in the back of your mind and that tingle in your guts!

I hope you don't get to wondering about your vehicle's airbags.

I don't think I'd have told that.

You must never speak of this again.

Oh, and don’t worry about sending it in. Weaver is pretty much gone now and I doubt you could if you wanted.

I'd never drop a scope.........

Did you read the article about Ford Raptors with bent frames?

Ford rep investigated and found out the owners were getting airborne at 50-60mph out in the Nevada desert. Seems the owners thought that was normal off roading.

Yeah, I knew if I shared my stupidity I’d be opening myself up to some well deserved ridicule. I should’ve listen to that voice in my head telling me not to...

I did it because. IIRc, Formidous said on here he tested scopes that way and he has given a lot of good advice over the years so I thought I’d man up and give it a try.

Now, I realize I should’ve just fought the urge a little harder!

I don't know whether I was laughing with you, or at you, but I most assuredly laughed. I'd recommend doing that kind of test on one of those scopes that has a no-fault warranty.

Cue the Big Stick SWFA video 😂

I heard you can take one of those new Leupolds and drive over them with a semi, and it'll come out of it nary a scratch...

Phil

Since Weaver has gone TU, who knows what would happen if you sent it in anyway.

I get why competitors and professionals feel the need to test scopes like that, but I’m neither, and in 50-odd years of hunting and shooting the worst I’ve ever done to a scope is to let it slide off a bench or car fender while leaning there. Have had a couple lose zero for various reasons, but no real failures, except when my crossbow winch came loose and whacked the ocular, entirely my fault, and beyond any reasonable expectation of durability.

Yup, like the story about the guy who got all fired up at a revival and stood up and confessed to a romantic encounter with a goat......

Hit it with a hammer to bend it back straight..... jeesh not hard to figure out.....

Well, you were trying to learn something - and you did.

We have all been there.

I do appreciate the fact that you are taking personal responsibility and not trying to pass it on tot he manufacturer. That speaks well for your personal integrity.

Send it in. Vista will likely replace it with a comparable Bushnell.

John

Now you have reason to buy a Nightforce.......

Contact Weaver, have them give you an estimate. Pay them if it is worth repairing.

You should test your airbags....