will changing scope power change POI

[mshootnit]

I like to use a 6X. When I want to shoot sub MOA groups I dial it up to 6X. When I want to take a shot on a trotting coyote I dial it down to 6X, unless he is out at about 235 yards then I dial it back up to 6X. Seems to work pretty good.

 

[coug]

I don't think you will get a difference in a front focal plain scope. I shoot a lot of different matches and I don't have any difference in mine. That being said I have never checked it. I do know if I'm on a line shooting 500 to 1100 yards on 20x and move to a different line shooting 80 to 100 yards on 6x I can still hit a target the size of a nickel if I put there. these are usually under time duress. so you don't always get it there before you send it.

 

[NYH1]

I haven't had any trouble with our good scopes. We have 3 Leupolds and an older Redfield Tracker Scopes. I have a Leupold VX-II 2-7x33mm on my Remington 7600 Carbine 30-06 Spr. A Leupold VX-II 4-12x40 AO on my Remington BDL 223 Rem. A Redfield Tracker 3-9x40 on my Remington 700 Classic 280 Rem. A Leupold 2-7x28mm Rimfire Scope on my son's Ruger 10/22. We change the power setting all the time and haven't noticed any difference at all with them. We might not shoot the same groups on lower power but that is to be expected. If you see the target better/closer, chances are you're going to be able to hit it or shoot better groups with it.

I generally use the lowest and highest powers on my scopes and usually nothing in between. When I'm moving or even sitting and watching I turn them to the lowest power. If I see what I'm hunting and if I have time witch I usually do if I'm sitting/watching then I'll turn the power up for a better view.

I had a cheap $49 Tasco Scope on a 308 Win. I had. I sighted it in at 9 power and it was fine. Once I adjusted the power the POA moved a lot. That scope is long gone.

NYH1!

 

[BigN]

Seems like the higher end scopes do not but some of the cheapies do. I'm thinking they actually shouldn't. But, buy a $30 scope and you get what you get.

 

[jmr40]

I can see many folks don't consider 1/2moa to be a change in POI..

I just noticed this. If 1/2 MOA is what you are concerned about then it really is a non issue on a hunting rifle.

Zero at 100 yards with the highest power available. You're good to go at any range without worrying about POI shift at that power. If it moves 1/2 MOA at any of the lower powers, who cares. You will be using the highest power at 100 yds and beyond anyway. At closer ranges 1/2MOA is only going to be 1/4" at 50 yards. That is less than the diamater of most hunting bullets. Nobody can shoot .25 MOA from field shooting positions anyway.

If you are talking about target rifles, most of those guys shoot fixed power or just leave variables set on the highest power anyway.

 

[DM~]

I don't have a cheapo scope on any gun that i use for hunting, and YES i have checked the scopes that i do have on my hunting rifles.

My main hunting rifles have better Leupold and Zeiss Conquest scopes on them, NONE of them change POI when i change the power ring. If one of them did have that problem, it would get repaired!

If i was you, i'd be checking that scope out ASAP...

DM

 

[gamestalker]

This is the first time I've heard of POI changing with power adjustments? I've been using Leupold glass and have never seen POI fouled by power changes.

 

[coug]

In long range tactical matches we adjust power all the time. But our scopes don't change point of impact. and I don't see many fixed power scopes, to be honest I have only seen 1 and that guy was not competitive. if your scope changes send it back. Or save up and get a better scope. Most everyone in these matches shoot 1/4 min or better so, ......... I believe it is a NONSENSE statement that all adjustable scopes change POA. Only the cheap ones or one with a defect.
The bottom line is if you don't have a mid price scope on your rifle you should start saving for a new on as soon as you are able. If you have a cheap one just keep your shots within your known limits.

 

[Art Eatman]

I guess the majority of my variable scopes have been the old Leupold Vari-X IIs. 3x9, 2x7. I never found any change in POI when changing from 9X or 7X at the bench to 3X or 2X for hunting. Bambi just kept going flop, and the entry wounds were pretty much where I expected.

 

[Damon555]

I change magnification all the time when I'm shooting prairie dogs...none of my scopes change point of impact. If they did I'd get rid of them.

 

[WayBeau]

So, is it better to sight in at low power or high power? I've never sighted in a scoped rifle before, but will be in the very near future.

 

[TonyAngel]

I always assume that my scope will not change POI when dialing down the power. I usually sight in using the max magnification shooting at a 1/2" dot.

 

[slowr1der]

I've never had a scope that changed the POI on various powers and if I did I'd send it back for repair. I've read of several guys having this issue with newer Redfields, and it's absolutely something I'd not tolerate from any scope regardless of the brand.

The majority of scopes I've used have been mid priced scopes like the Leupold VX-I, Burris FFII, Nikon Monarch and Prostaff, Bushnell Elite 3200's, etc. However, I've used higher end scopes, and I've used lower end stuff and had a couple of different $30-40 Simmons that don't do this and I still have one, as well as having had 2 $30 Tasco's from Walmart that don't do this either. That said, I still have one of those and it still works fine.

So it's not something that happens with cheap scopes or all scopes, it's something that happens with either poorly designed scopes, or broken scopes.

 

[Get R Done Guns]

First focal plane does eliminate the problem. It may not be a HUGE problem but there is definitely the chance to have it shift with a variable power scope. As some have said, it's the nature of the beast with some scopes.

 

[taliv]

Most everyone in these matches shoot 1/4 min or better so

that has not been my experience in any tactical match.

i've never experienced a problem shifting POI when changing magnification using Leupold and NF 2nd focal or USO and S&B 1st Focal