Adjusting elavation and windage

[Charlie/Bravo]

Is it advisable or even neccessary when adjusting scope settings to go past the desired setting by a few clicks and then back to setting and tap to settle ? I've read this on another forum and have not tried this. Perhaps this is for older design or inexpensive scopes???.

[HiBC]

I suppose they should be spring loaded against backlash.

As an old machinist,I try to stop my adjustment turning clockwise.I do not know if it is necessary

[firewrench044]

I have run into that

Without getting technical about the construction
of the adjusting mechanism

Lower priced or older scopes ( lubricant dried out )
That is just one of the differences between lower
price and quality scopes

I no longer even look at cheap scopes
You get what you pay for
I am ashamed to admit how much money I wasted on
cheap scopes trying to save some money

I still can not afford the top of the line scopes
but am happy with medium priced scopes, the brand I
have found is Leupold ( Lifetime Warranty )
I no longer need a screw driver to tap on it or send a
couple of rounds to get the scope settled in to where I
adjusted it

I have even forgotten some of the four letter magic words
I used on all the cheap scopes I waisted time on trying to
adjust

[T. O'Heir]

"...go past the desired setting by a few clicks and..." No. The clicks should be very positive and there shouldn't be any kind of 'settling' involved.
"...have even forgotten some of the..." Need some lessons? I can do that in several languages. snicker.

[Pahoo]

I've read this on another forum and have not tried this. Perhaps this is for older design or inexpensive scopes???.

Your logic is correct as you and others have noted, this can be a problem with cheaper scopes. I have encountered this problem but not often and when I do, I phase out the scope. Lightly tapping is sufficient. I normally do this check on my bench. From my previous occupation, I refer to this as hysteresis. .....

Be Safe !!!

[buckhorn_cortez]

I refer to this as hysteresis.

You may refer to it as that, but it's not hysteresis. While there can be hysteresis in mechanical systems, having to tap a scope to "settle it" is not a form of mechanical hysteresis.

Generally, hysteresis is a current state that is dependent upon past and future inputs because history affects the value of the current state. To predict future outputs, you have to know either the current internal state or the history.

None of the types of hysteresis found in mechanical systems would account for having to turn a turret past the desired point, then back, then tap it. The closest would be elastic hysteresis, but that's really not applicable as that applies to mechanical systems following a return path that is different than the outgoing path.

How about just calling it exactly what it is - a poorly designed, cheaply constructed turret...