Repair old Bushnell scope?

[TMann]

This morning, I picked up an older Ruger 10/22 that has an older Bushnell scope on it. The scope is marked "3x-7x custom .22" and is one of their "Rangemaster" models. It looks just like this one:

The view through the scope is actually pretty clear. I took the rifle down to my usual indoor range and shot 50 rounds at 20 yards. The rifle grouped pretty well given that it was used by someone with mediocre rifle shooting skills.

The issue that I am having is that the power ring and the focusing ring (?) at the front are both very sticky. I can turn the power ring from 3x to about 5x, but no farther. Is there anything that I can do to fix this? I doubt that it would be cost effective to send the scope off to Bushnell to have them repair it, but I kind of like having a "vintage" scope to go with my older 10/22.

Any advice that you all could give would be much appreciated.

TMann

 

[rondog]

I'm interested too. I also have an old Bushnell that I'd like to get cleaned and tuned up. There's gotta be SOMEBODY that does this, but the cost may be prohibitive. Kinda tough to spend as much fixing an old scope as a new one would cost. But I'd like to know.

 

[WALKERs210]

My son is a tech with a company that deals with very high end optics. His words about repair on some of my scopes was its is not cost effective when they charge a rate around $150 an hour and if parts are an issue and can't be had they actually re-manufacturer them again very expensive.

 

[TMann]

Thanks for the advice, Walker. That's kind of what I expected.

TMann

 

[OpticsPlanet]

I would still contact Bushnell, send a photo and discuss it with them. Occasionally, you get a sympathetic ear, and who knows - they may have a suggestion that wouldn't require sending it in. Power of positive thinking, and all that. Maybe there's a "cleaning special" or the like.

It would certainly be worth a try - I imagine it does look good with your vintage 10/22 as you mentioned.

Public Website: http://www.bushnell.com
Toll-Free Phone #: (800) 423-3537
International Phone #: (800) 221-9035
Mailing Address: 9200 Cody
Overland Park, KS 66214-1734
Ship Returns To: 8500 Marshall Drive
Lenexa, KS 66214

Mark H.

 

[rcmodel]

I don't think a drop of light gun oil between the tube & the front of the housing could hurt anything.

More then likely the old seal grease + dirt is dried out and stuck in the threads or o-ring.

At the worst, it will leak inside the scope and ruin it.

At the best, it will fix it.

But what have you got to lose?

rc

 

[OpticsPlanet]

I wonder what a brief dip in an ultrasonic cleaner would do? Most jewelry stores have one, and if you know any draftsmen, the cleaners are used for technical pens.

I would remove the optic from the rifle before entering a jewelry store. They're a skittish lot.

Mark H.

 

[TMann]

I would remove the optic from the rifle before entering a jewelry store. They're a skittish lot.

I can just imagine trying to explain to the police officer why you were walking into a jewelry store carrying a "high-powered-scoped-rifle"...

TMann