G'Day
When you make adustments of the scope elevation from one animal to the other is ther a proper method to use that removes any slack the scope has. I have seen some people go through some strange rituals which have prompted me to ask this question. My scope is a leupold VX3 6.5-20 x 40. and I guess the same question could be asked when adjusting the scopes power.

I know what you mean. Many little tricks to get the scope settled in. Tap three times , two light and one hard and things like that. A fellow Dick Thomas, that had seen the inside of a lot of scopes, said with the Leupolds it is best to go a minute or so above what you wanted then come down to the desired setting. Thus taking the slack out.

I have seen folks use the "anti-backlash" technique that is more commonly used with machine tools (lathes, mills, etc.).

That is, approach each adjustment from the same direction. (normally this would be always in the "up" direction for SB silhouette). Example - moving from pigs to turkeys to rams, always move the turret in the same rotational direction, without moving it even 1 click in the opposite direction. Then when moving from rams to chickens (we'll assume that the chicken setting is zero, you would move the turret down to zero and past zero in the negative direction, then move the scope back to the zero setting by increasing the setting until back on zero. The reason for this is to always pre-load the internal adjustments in the same direction to minimize the effects of backlash.

SteveM.

This is from the instruction sheet for my Premier Reticles Leupold Vari-X III 8.5X-25X Silhouette Special on "Target Turret Instructions":

"It is important to remember that backlash can develop in target adjustments. Backlash will prevent you from returning to zero when adjusting throughout the adjustment range. Therefore, anytime a counter-clockwise adjustment is made, always go past the desired setting at least 2 moa or 8 clicks and come back to your setting finishing off clockwise. This will eliminate any backlash that may develop over the life of your target adjustment."
PREMIER RETICLES, LTD. 6/98

On my scope this means turning from a higher setting (4 moa) to a lower setting (2 moa).

I have 2 Weaver T-24s and a T-36 and have not had any problems in 3 years of cranking the elevation up and down. I would think that the Leupolds would be even better than the Weavers.

I would think that the Leupolds would be even better than the Weavers.

Not sure I quite agree, I think leupold makes a better scope IMO but weaver has one of the best repeatability scopes out there...JMOT

blueline