How do scope adjustments work?

[The Deer Hunter]

I'm talking about adjustments for windage and elevation. I know the reticle is always dead center...So what part of the scope moves? I always hear about guys getting real high rings which gives them X more minutes of adjustment than the lower rings will give you. But this leads me to beleive that somehow when you turn the little click things the scope somehow moves in its rings which seems almost impossible unless it was one of those ART sniper scopes.

I'm not long distance shooting or anything, I just don't know and am really curious.

Thanks.

 

[JamisJockey]

Not sure if it'll answer your question, but an interesting read
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rifle_scope

 

[JohnBT]

See the half-length tube that ends under the knobs? The end of it moves when you twist the knobs.

A 30mm scope gives the inside tube more room to adjust than a 1-inch scope.

For long distance shooting, a sloped base (instead of the usual level base) can add 20 or more MOA to allow the scope to be centered at 1000 yards. Here's one that google popped up. http://medeshafirearms.com/scope_mount_rails.htm

John

 

[benEzra]

I know the reticle is always dead center...So what part of the scope moves?

Actually, the reticle does move. Basically, the reticle is suspended in the scope tube by a second tube or frame that moves slightly when you turn the turret knobs.

 

[SwampWolf]

Early Bausch & Lomb scopes had the reticles etched on the lens, adjustments for elevation and windage being performed by the mounts. Although this system made for robust scopes, the necessarily bulky mounts never found favor with American shooters and they soon were discontinued.

 

[skinewmexico]

Ring height doesn't matter. Like JohnBT said, it's a sloped base (or bases) that add MOA.

 

[W.E.G.]

For long-range shooting, you can install "slanted" scope bases that add 15-30 MOA elevation before you ever move the reticle.

See http://www.mountsplus.com/miva/merchant.mvc?page=MSP/CTGY/SPECIALTY_BASES

On 99% of the scopes you can buy today, the reticle moves inside the scope turret when you turn the knobs on the turret.

The more-expensive scopes allow for greater movement of of the reticle within the turret.

A standard Leupold Vari-X II or Vari-X III scope will usually give you adjustment from point-blank to about 500 yards before you run out of elevation adjustment.

I think Leupold is up to Vari-X IV or higher now. With prices to match. Those scopes may give more than 500 yards worth of elevation adjustment. Although, when you get done paying for the Vari-X IX, you may experience an apparent elevation change, as your wallet will be enough thinner that your butt will sit noticeably lower, causing your point of aim to shift.

 

[rangerruck]

you can actually 'see' the scope's insides moving; next time you go to look through your scope, look at an object through it, but put it 6 inches high, or left , of the reticle. then turn your knobs left, or up, to get on the object, and you will see your crosshairs, moving towards your object.
the guy with the cool pics got it right, the inner tube is doing all the moving.