Messed up scope

Ransome · June 29, 2018, 04:28 PM

Recently bought a used, cheap, tasco scope to put on my modified m91/30. Everything seems fine, except for one strange issue. And pardon my expressions, I dont know scope language. The knob on the top changes horizontal, and the knob on the side changes vertical. For some odd reason, when I went to sight it in today, the knobs were all messed up. If i moved the horizontal knob to the right, it went up. And when I moved the vertical adjustment up the scope went to the right. I actually was able to sight it in, but its very strange. Is this just because im using a cheap $30 scope, and should just expect this?

kenny53 · June 29, 2018, 04:37 PM

I can not see how that could happen. What brand of scope?

std7mag · June 29, 2018, 04:51 PM

Sounds like your scope isn't the problem.

Now the bad news...

The knob on the top is your elevation. Moves in the vertical plane.
The knob on the side is your "windage". And moves in the horizontal plane.

Your description of how they are operating is correct. The description of how you thought they worked is backwards.

Rangerrich99 · June 29, 2018, 04:54 PM

Are you sure that the top turret controls the horizontal? It's been a very long time since I owned a Tasco, but I'm pretty sure that on most of my scopes the top turret controls the vertical, and the side turret controls the horizontal.

MTT TL · June 29, 2018, 05:10 PM

So um, were the directions printed on the scope adjustment caps? That would explain bunches. They can get easily mixed up.

Ransome · June 29, 2018, 05:16 PM

Hmm, the knob on the top says (arrow) left is 1/4 inch at 100 yards, and same with the side knob. Except it is (arrow) right. I can send a picture.

jcj54 · June 29, 2018, 05:24 PM

Will get you the answers you seek.

Ransome · June 29, 2018, 05:32 PM

Here is the top:
https://ibb.co/gO0EnJ

And here is the side:
https://ibb.co/cNo0SJ

Rangerrich99 · June 29, 2018, 05:38 PM

I think your scope was improperly assembled. I just checked, and all of my scopes have the elevation turret on top, the windage is always on the side. Maybe you can switch the heads so that the elevation is on top and the windage is on the side. Or chalk it up to what happens when you buy a cheap scope and go get a better one.

Ransome · June 29, 2018, 05:45 PM

Damn, that would make sense that it must have been assembled wrongly. I have another tasco brand scope on my mini-14, actually its the exact same model just a little older. And the elevation is on the top, windage on side. Tried to take it off and switch them but it appears you cant.

Rangerrich99 · June 29, 2018, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ransome

Damn, that would make sense that it must have been assembled wrongly. I have another tasco brand scope on my mini-14, actually its the exact same model just a little older. And the elevation is on the top, windage on side. Tried to take it off and switch them but it appears you cant.

Of course, there's a chance that you can just ignore the labeling and just use the turrets as they're supposed to be used. I don't know if there's any real difference in detents between the two turrets. Or Tasco might even replace the scope if you're attached to it.

Who knows? In 50 years that thing might be worth extra money; kind of like stamps that were printed upside down are worth a lot more than the originals.

Ransome · June 29, 2018, 05:54 PM

I think I will just live with the turrets being wrong for now. I can still use it even though the label is wrong. And like I said I was able to get it sighted in. Not at all attached to this scope, maybe sometime soon I will buy a better scope. But for now it will serve its purpose.

MTT TL · June 29, 2018, 06:46 PM

I would just rotate it 90 degrees to the right. I imagine all of your problems will go away.

wild willy · June 29, 2018, 07:43 PM

Amazing and it made to 13 posts before a answer.

kenny53 · June 29, 2018, 07:46 PM

You mounted your scope incorrectly.
You are 90 degrees out. I have one mounted like that but I did on purpose. I did so brass from the M1A would not hit the turret.

Ransome · June 29, 2018, 09:01 PM

Even though it may seem as simple as rotating to the right 90 degrees, it isnt. As I said, and as the pictures showed, the turret that had the knob saying L ---> 1/4 at 100 yards is adjusting elevation. And the turret that says UP ---> 1/4 at 100 yards is adjusting windage. Moving to the right 90 degrees would not change that fact, the labeling would still be wrong. As stated by Rangerrich, its an assembly problem. Who ever assembled the scope in China got the labeling on the turrets wrong. I did not realize that, and thought something was wrong with the scope, and that's why I started the thread.

ammo.crafter · June 29, 2018, 09:23 PM

Contact Tasco and advise of the issues. They will most likely send another scope.

Pathfinder45 · June 29, 2018, 09:27 PM

The rifle itself was built to be a cheap but rugged and reliable beater of a military rifle. I'm not a fan of that rifle, but would venture to guess that it can take a beating that the Tasco couldn't handle much of at all. If you want a cheap used scope that can take some punishment for such a rifle, I recommend that you look for an older Weaver K4, steel tube scope that is still in good condition. You should be able to find a good one for 50 bucks at most gun shows. Even some of those are beat beyond consideration, but they sold a lot of them and it's not hard to find one in serviceable condition. Certainly, lens technology has advanced to where there is better glass now, but I don't think there is a more rugged scope made today. If there is, I'd like to know about it.

tango1niner · June 29, 2018, 10:59 PM

From your pictures the scope is mounted improperly.

The turret marked "L" is adjusting the elevation because you have it positioned on TOP.

The turret marked "up" is adjusting the windage because you have it positioned on the SIDE.

The turret marked "up" should be on top.

The turret marked "L" should be on the side.

Goodnight...

Lucas McCain · June 29, 2018, 11:28 PM

The turret is always located on the right hand side for windage, not the left side. The L on the knobs means that if you turn it in that direction you will move point of impact to the left.
The elevation turret is always on top.
Good luck shooting.

Ransome · June 30, 2018, 12:02 AM

I think I finally understand. Since I had the windage on top, the crosshair was sideways. Therefor, when I moved the windage turret to the right, the crosshair would indeed move to the right. But since it was sideways, it was really moving the crosshair up. And the same goes for any other adjustments. A pure Homer Simpson moment. Thanks guys.

jmr40 · June 30, 2018, 08:39 AM

To be honest I wouldn't change it. Some shooters mount them that way on purpose. Having the turret on the left side gives you more room on the right side to load the rifle. And while not common, ejected brass has been known to hit the turret and fall back into the action causing a malfunction. I know of at least one guide who mounts his scopes that way on rifles intended to be used on DG.

Don Fischer · June 30, 2018, 10:45 AM

Just as I though. You have the scope on wrong! That knob on the right is the elevation knob and he one on top is the windage knob.

J.G. Terry · June 30, 2018, 11:46 AM

You have done the best you can. OP can keep it between the ditches if remembers which way to turn the 90 degree off scope adjustments. This is American where we can do what we want. Also, we need to be mindful of the consequences.

Rangerrich99 · June 30, 2018, 03:13 PM

Hahaha. I don't know how I didn't notice that. Got in too big a hurry to try and solve the problem, I guess, and went right past it. On of those "slap your forehead" moments.

As others have said, the scope is mounted 90 degrees off, just turn it to that the elevation turret is on top. Sorry about the bad advice earlier.

June 29, 2018, 04:28 PM	#1
Ransome Member Join Date: February 1, 2018 Location: Steamboat Springs CO Posts: 39	Messed up scope Recently bought a used, cheap, tasco scope to put on my modified m91/30. Everything seems fine, except for one strange issue. And pardon my expressions, I dont know scope language. The knob on the top changes horizontal, and the knob on the side changes vertical. For some odd reason, when I went to sight it in today, the knobs were all messed up. If i moved the horizontal knob to the right, it went up. And when I moved the vertical adjustment up the scope went to the right. I actually was able to sight it in, but its very strange. Is this just because im using a cheap $30 scope, and should just expect this?

June 29, 2018, 04:51 PM	#3
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	Sounds like your scope isn't the problem. Now the bad news... The knob on the top is your elevation. Moves in the vertical plane. The knob on the side is your "windage". And moves in the horizontal plane. Your description of how they are operating is correct. The description of how you thought they worked is backwards. __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

June 29, 2018, 05:10 PM	#5
MTT TL Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2009 Location: Quadling Country Posts: 2,780	So um, were the directions printed on the scope adjustment caps? That would explain bunches. They can get easily mixed up. __________________ Thus a man should endeavor to reach this high place of courage with all his heart, and, so trying, never be backward in war.

June 29, 2018, 05:24 PM	#7
jcj54 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2011 Posts: 218	Pictures Will get you the answers you seek.

June 29, 2018, 06:46 PM	#13
MTT TL Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 2009 Location: Quadling Country Posts: 2,780	I would just rotate it 90 degrees to the right. I imagine all of your problems will go away. __________________ Thus a man should endeavor to reach this high place of courage with all his heart, and, so trying, never be backward in war.

June 29, 2018, 04:37 PM	#2
kenny53 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2015 Location: My back yard Posts: 971	I can not see how that could happen. What brand of scope?

June 29, 2018, 04:54 PM	#4
Rangerrich99 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Location: Kinda near Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,254	Are you sure that the top turret controls the horizontal? It's been a very long time since I owned a Tasco, but I'm pretty sure that on most of my scopes the top turret controls the vertical, and the side turret controls the horizontal.

June 29, 2018, 05:16 PM	#6
Ransome Member Join Date: February 1, 2018 Location: Steamboat Springs CO Posts: 39	Hmm, the knob on the top says (arrow) left is 1/4 inch at 100 yards, and same with the side knob. Except it is (arrow) right. I can send a picture.

June 29, 2018, 05:32 PM	#8
Ransome Member Join Date: February 1, 2018 Location: Steamboat Springs CO Posts: 39	Here is the top: https://ibb.co/gO0EnJ And here is the side: https://ibb.co/cNo0SJ

June 29, 2018, 05:38 PM	#9
Rangerrich99 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Location: Kinda near Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,254	I think your scope was improperly assembled. I just checked, and all of my scopes have the elevation turret on top, the windage is always on the side. Maybe you can switch the heads so that the elevation is on top and the windage is on the side. Or chalk it up to what happens when you buy a cheap scope and go get a better one.

June 29, 2018, 05:45 PM	#10
Ransome Member Join Date: February 1, 2018 Location: Steamboat Springs CO Posts: 39	Damn, that would make sense that it must have been assembled wrongly. I have another tasco brand scope on my mini-14, actually its the exact same model just a little older. And the elevation is on the top, windage on side. Tried to take it off and switch them but it appears you cant.

June 29, 2018, 05:54 PM	#12
Ransome Member Join Date: February 1, 2018 Location: Steamboat Springs CO Posts: 39	I think I will just live with the turrets being wrong for now. I can still use it even though the label is wrong. And like I said I was able to get it sighted in. Not at all attached to this scope, maybe sometime soon I will buy a better scope. But for now it will serve its purpose.

June 29, 2018, 07:43 PM	#14
wild willy Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2006 Posts: 404	Amazing and it made to 13 posts before a answer.

June 29, 2018, 07:46 PM	#15
kenny53 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2015 Location: My back yard Posts: 971	You mounted your scope incorrectly. You are 90 degrees out. I have one mounted like that but I did on purpose. I did so brass from the M1A would not hit the turret.

June 29, 2018, 09:01 PM	#16
Ransome Member Join Date: February 1, 2018 Location: Steamboat Springs CO Posts: 39	Even though it may seem as simple as rotating to the right 90 degrees, it isnt. As I said, and as the pictures showed, the turret that had the knob saying L ---> 1/4 at 100 yards is adjusting elevation. And the turret that says UP ---> 1/4 at 100 yards is adjusting windage. Moving to the right 90 degrees would not change that fact, the labeling would still be wrong. As stated by Rangerrich, its an assembly problem. Who ever assembled the scope in China got the labeling on the turrets wrong. I did not realize that, and thought something was wrong with the scope, and that's why I started the thread.

June 29, 2018, 09:23 PM	#17
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 1,970	tasco Contact Tasco and advise of the issues. They will most likely send another scope. __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

June 29, 2018, 09:27 PM	#18
Pathfinder45 Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Posts: 3,224	The rifle itself was built to be a cheap but rugged and reliable beater of a military rifle. I'm not a fan of that rifle, but would venture to guess that it can take a beating that the Tasco couldn't handle much of at all. If you want a cheap used scope that can take some punishment for such a rifle, I recommend that you look for an older Weaver K4, steel tube scope that is still in good condition. You should be able to find a good one for 50 bucks at most gun shows. Even some of those are beat beyond consideration, but they sold a lot of them and it's not hard to find one in serviceable condition. Certainly, lens technology has advanced to where there is better glass now, but I don't think there is a more rugged scope made today. If there is, I'd like to know about it.

June 29, 2018, 10:59 PM	#19
tango1niner Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2009 Location: NY Posts: 317	From your pictures the scope is mounted improperly. The turret marked "L" is adjusting the elevation because you have it positioned on TOP. The turret marked "up" is adjusting the windage because you have it positioned on the SIDE. The turret marked "up" should be on top. The turret marked "L" should be on the side. Goodnight... Last edited by tango1niner; June 29, 2018 at 11:10 PM.

June 29, 2018, 11:28 PM	#20
Lucas McCain Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2013 Location: Callaway, MN Posts: 361	The turret is always located on the right hand side for windage, not the left side. The L on the knobs means that if you turn it in that direction you will move point of impact to the left. The elevation turret is always on top. Good luck shooting. __________________ If you have time to do it twice, then you have time to do it once right and put your name on it

June 30, 2018, 12:02 AM	#21
Ransome Member Join Date: February 1, 2018 Location: Steamboat Springs CO Posts: 39	I think I finally understand. Since I had the windage on top, the crosshair was sideways. Therefor, when I moved the windage turret to the right, the crosshair would indeed move to the right. But since it was sideways, it was really moving the crosshair up. And the same goes for any other adjustments. A pure Homer Simpson moment. Thanks guys. Last edited by Ransome; June 30, 2018 at 12:14 AM.

June 30, 2018, 08:39 AM	#22
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,805	To be honest I wouldn't change it. Some shooters mount them that way on purpose. Having the turret on the left side gives you more room on the right side to load the rifle. And while not common, ejected brass has been known to hit the turret and fall back into the action causing a malfunction. I know of at least one guide who mounts his scopes that way on rifles intended to be used on DG. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

June 30, 2018, 10:45 AM	#23
Don Fischer Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2017 Posts: 1,868	Just as I though. You have the scope on wrong! That knob on the right is the elevation knob and he one on top is the windage knob.

June 30, 2018, 11:46 AM	#24
J.G. Terry Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2014 Posts: 577	Adjusting the Scope You have done the best you can. OP can keep it between the ditches if remembers which way to turn the 90 degree off scope adjustments. This is American where we can do what we want. Also, we need to be mindful of the consequences. __________________ Intentionally Antagonizing Another MemberInsults and Ad Hominems

June 30, 2018, 03:13 PM	#25
Rangerrich99 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Location: Kinda near Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,254	Hahaha. I don't know how I didn't notice that. Got in too big a hurry to try and solve the problem, I guess, and went right past it. On of those "slap your forehead" moments. As others have said, the scope is mounted 90 degrees off, just turn it to that the elevation turret is on top. Sorry about the bad advice earlier.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search