Make a Universal Scope-Reticle Adjuster

The seemingly simple job of adjusting a scope reticle shouldn’t pose any problems, but with some scopes it can. The reticle-adjusting slot on some scope knobs is hard to turn and doesn’t seem to fit any coin really well.

Sometimes the correct amount of adjustment isn’t easily applied and the scope-adjust Below center: Both ends of the shaft are slotted as described in text—one end for the adjusting disk and the other end for adjusting the raised-rib type of knob. ing slot becomes damaged in the attempt, particularly on those knobs made from soft aluminum. The advantage of a wellmade scope-reticle adjuster is the ease and convenience of applying a precise amount of calibrated control to both the windage and elevation on a scope.

Even if you have but a single scope to work with, making the tool will be worth your effort. The cost of the materials is negligible and the fabrication takes only about an hour or so. Making the Tool There is some leeway in making the scope-adjusting tool. Here is how I did it: First, I cut apiece of 1/2-inch-diameter brass or stainless rod to about

2-3/4 inches in length and knurled a 1-inch section at one end. Brass is easier to work with. Then I made a shallow slot about 0.185 inch wide and 0.125 inch deep at the knurled end. This slot is later used to adjust the raised bar on the non-slotted-type adjusting knobs used on some scopes. With this end of the adjusting tool completed, I milled a narrow slot in the opposite end of the shaft for the coin-like adjusting disk. I milled this The thickness of each step is described in the text.

Below center: Here, the scope-reticle adjuster is being used on a Redfield scope with slotted adjusting knobs. slot 0.075 wide by about 0.625 inch deep. Then I drilled a hole to tap for an 8-32 screw thread. I carefully drilled a #8 hole near the end in one side of the fork and at the opposing side of the fork I drilled a #27 hole for an 8-32 thread. Then I threaded the hole. Following this, I beveled the larger hole with an 82-degree countersink for an 8-32 socket-head screw.

The adjusting disk was then made from apiece of brass the same thickness as the slot in the shaft (0.075 inch). This I cut from apiece of bronze shaft using a cutoff tool. But before cutting the piece, I drilled a hole in it to fit an 8-32 screw. Finally, the coin-like adjusting disk was placed in the mill vise to cut variable thicknesses at triangular positions. This was done so the disk will closely fit the adjusting-knob slot of various scopes.

I cut these to three triangularly positioned thicknesses of 0.065, 0.070, and 0.075 inch. (The average coin-slot width found on most scopes is around 0.073 inch.) Of course, the slotted end of the tool is used to turn the raised-bar, non-slotted adjusting knobs. The screw was then cut to length and tightened to position. If things are made to close tolerance, a light torque of the screw will provide some resistance to the adjusting disk as it is turned.

Conclusion The universal scope reticle-adjusting tool has proven to be handy in adjusting most types of scopes. It is particularly useful for the sighting in of a rifle from the bench. Once the first sighting shot is found on target, simply return the scope reticle back to the aiming point and, without moving the rifle, carefully adjust the reticle to bisect the bullet hole. The next shot will find the scope close to being sighted in—and you’ll save a lot of ammo in the process.■

AMGDBI6 AG DBI pick up from 10/05 issue

AMGDBI6 AG DBI pick up from 10/05 issue