Just got a 3.5-10 Vari X III mounted up on a gun. The scope appears new as it sat in a safe since 1988 or so. Wouldn't ya know it... it doesn't track worth a $hit! Back to Leupold it goes!
Scopes can develop tracking issues simply by sitting around for a long time w/o the adjustments being used. In essence, the mechanical components want to 'remember' where they were. In technical terms, it's referred to as mechanical hysteresis.
The late Dick Thomas of Premier Reticles gave me this advice. He said this was the first thing they did when servicing a scope that came in with a tracking complaint:
Warm up the length of the scope tube with a hair dryer and slowly run the w/e adjustments back and forth to the limit of the travel in both directions 10-12 times (be gentle when you feel it get to the end of the travel). Then check it to see if it tracks correctly on the gun.
Over the years, I've 'fixed' a half dozen or so scopes by doing this.
For what it's worth.... -Al
