Is tapping scope turrets still relevant?

I have seen this done also and wondered why.

If you have to tap a scope turrent to get it to settle down and hold point of impact then you have a scope in need of repair.

Don’t do this. Any scope which could benefit from this is a scope you don’t benefit from using.

This is valid for some older scopes, and maybe some cheap newer ones.
The reason is the erector springs are weak.
If you are making a "down" or "left" adjustment, its not needed. If you are making a "right" or "up" adjustment, tapping on it can help the erector move to the correct position, but it's a much easier and better practice to just go a few clicks past your intentended adjustment and then dial back down or left .

If I owned a scope that needed to be “settled”, I would replace it with something decent.

jmorris said:

If I owned a scope that needed to be “settled”, I would replace it with something decent.

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Some of us still do like using vintage equipment

None of my vintage equipment requires a tap. If something moves with a tap, why wouldn't it move with recoil and every other bump?

Hugger-4641 said:

Some of us still do like using vintage equipment

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Oh, I have antique wall hangers too and I also enjoy actually using old equipment that works correctly.

If it doesn’t do what it’s supposed to do, it doesn’t matter much, to me, how old it is.

Its called the Leupold tap for a reason LOL Certainly was a thing.
Of course non believers could waste a lof of ammo getting eventually zeroed.
Was not uncommon to need it when shooting mild recoil stuff as there wasn't enough jar to settle after an adjustment.
IIRC you were OK adjusting in one vector but the opposite caused the issue.

I had to do this nonsense w a new Leupold Freedon VX. Had three other Freedoms that this wasnt needed.
All on .223 or lesser.

Kind of disappointing on having needed to do it on a new model.

So yeah, I ordered a 12X Superchicken on sale today.

ColtPythonElite said:

None of my vintage equipment requires a tap. If something moves with a tap, why wouldn't it move with recoil and every other bump?

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Problem seen w .22 lr and varmint class cartridges ( low recoil, heavier rifles).

taliv said:

I used to have to do it with my leupold vari3 25 years ago

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Have an old friction adjust Vari X iii on a Ruger #1 .22-250
Id like to find a new FX 12X for it.

taliv said:

I used to have to do it with my leupold vari3 25 years ago

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Made me think of the “lockers” like this Cecil Tucker converted Leupold.



Birds of a feather…

Hookeye said:

Have an old friction adjust Vari X iii on a Ruger #1 .22-250
Id like to find a new FX 12X for it.

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I actually really like the friction turrets on the old Leopold's and....... Weaver?
I mean if I'm going to get stuck with a "set it and forget it" scope anyway, Don't tempt me with clicky (ish) turrets...... It's just mean....

I'll admit I still tap on turret housings when I'm sighting guns for other people. None of my current scopes require tapping at, But they do still show up at the range sometimes.

ColtPythonElite said:

None of my vintage equipment requires a tap. If something moves with a tap, why wouldn't it move with recoil and every other bump?

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I does move with recoil of the next shot if you don't tap it or over travel and click back as I mentioned . As long as you know this and don't mind wasting a round, no problem either way. If you don't know this and you're trying to adjust after every round, you're gonna have a long day.

jmorris said:

Made me think of the “lockers” like this Cecil Tucker converted Leupold.

View attachment 1088128

Birds of a feather…

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So is that just a screw that locks the erector assembly against the turrets?

Hookeye said:

IIRC you were OK adjusting in one vector but the opposite caused the issue.

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You are correct, as I mentioned. If you make adjustments to left or down, the erector usually moves properly. Its when moving up or right that they would sometimes not move until the next round, or tapping, or over adjusting and then going back left or down.

How exactly are the turrets "tapped?"

New to this.

LoonWulf said:

So is that just a screw that locks the erector assembly against the turrets?

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Yeah, many think the real “fix” was just an O-ring inside and the screw (machine work) justified the cost.

I do think it’s a good idea to know if a scope “settles” after adjustment and changes POI from POA.

A good rest can show you if follow ups go actually follow one another or make another hole all together.

The Glockodile said:

How exactly are the turrets "tapped?"

New to this.

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The age old method was to take your pocket knife or something similar and tap on the turret caps or right on top of the dial. The vibration would make the erector settle in to the proper position. This is not needed with most newer scopes, especially those with dual erector springs.

Hugger-4641 said:

I does move with recoil of the next shot if you don't tap it or over travel and click back as I mentioned . As long as you know this and don't mind wasting a round, no problem either way. If you don't know this and you're trying to adjust after every round, you're gonna have a long day.

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My point was if it moved the way you want with tapping, recoil or bumping, what keeps it from moving back to the original position with further tapping, recoil or bumping?