How to Test a Scope?

[Kamicosmos]

I have a BSA 6-24x 50mm scope on my Bushmaster Varminter. I bought it for a placeholder for what I really want: Leupold VX-III, preferably with the varmint reticle that is setup for .223. But, the BSA seems to be doing an adequete job, at least at 100 yards. I am having a mental stumbling block at justifying a $600 dollar replacement for an $80 scope that seems to be A-OK.

Is there a way to test my current scope? Anything like the camera testing folks use? Maybe a sheet that I hang up at various ranges to test sharpeness and parallax at different ranges? Maybe an optical trick to determine some of those things?

I don't think Leupold will send me a test scope for a couple months...

 

[ocabj]

You could use an eye test chart to test optical clarity, but for any scope you get, you should test the tracking of the scope adjustment knobs.

You can use the standard box test. After you're fairly zeroed in @ 100 yards, use a fresh target and fire one round. Adjust 5 minutes right. Fire another round. Adjust 5 minutes down. Fire another round. Adjust 5 minutes left. Fire another round. Adjust 5 minutes up. Fire one last round. This should impact in the same spot as the first round fired. The rounds fired should form a box, roughly 5" on each side.

 

[OkOkDude]

There are manyscope to look at

If you want the best bang for the buck get a Bushnell 3200 10x40 target scope with milldot retical -10 times better scope than BSA used by a lot of
high performance shooters.
you can get one for $150-175

best of luck
shon

[email protected]

 

[echo3mike]

USAF 1951 Resolution Test Pattern seems to be what you're looking for, with a brief bit of instruction found here.

You can check the parallax of any scope by sighting an object at normal shooting distance (not indoors), by moving your eye side to side (or up and down), as far as you can, keeping the sighted object within the field of view. The apparent movement of the reticle in relation the target is parallax.

U.S. Optics web site

Hope this helps.
S.

 

[Cindog]

I'm with Ocabj on this one, use the box test to determine if the scope tracks properly and has repeatable adjustments. If it doesn't, then it needs to be replaced with something that does. I've done the box test on three seperate Sightrons, an SI and two SIIs, and all have passed with flying colors.

 

[Kamicosmos]

Excellent advice guys! I might try to get out to the range this week and give these ideas a try. Weather has taken a cold turn, so I may not make it.