Scopes are not cheap. They cost quite a bit of money and they are a pain to install properly and troubleshoot. Rotating crosshairs is one burning issue that has no prevention.
For some it’s fixable and for most, it’s not worth doing. But if you want to get your hands dirty and fix your canted crosshair, here is a simple guide on how to do it.
Tools Needed For The Task
While you will do things mostly by your hand, there are some tools necessary for the deed.
A toothpick. I’m sure that you have some toothpicks lying in your kitchen. Well if you don’t then go out and get some.
Super glue or epoxy. You don’t need both. You can use either one of them. Just the glue needs to be strong and permanent.
How To Fix Crosshairs On A Scope?
While this is an easy fix, I wouldn’t recommend doing it on an expensive scope or a scope that already has a replacement warranty. If your scope has a good warranty, I urge you to avail of it. But if your scope is inexpensive and doesn’t have any warranty then you can attempt this method.
Step 1
Unscrew the eyepiece. The first thing you need to do is find the split near the eyepiece. You will find that the eyepiece is screwed in on the body of the scope. Now, carefully unscrew it. Don’t worry if you feel some resistance. It will be hard to remove but it’s possible.
Step 2
After you remove the eyepiece, you will now need to rotate the reticle. If your scope reticle isn’t etched on the glass, then you will find a little brass ring on the body piece of the scope that has the reticle in it. Very gently and slowly rotate the reticle until it’s leveled properly and seems straight.
In this step, you can use the toothpick as your guide. As you can see the toothpick is a bit sharp, don’t be too hard in the process, and be very slow on the process.
Step 3
Now, a very small amount of glue needs to be dropped on the edge of the brass ring. This will strengthen the bond between the brass ring and the body of the scope. This will make sure it doesn’t rotate again.
Step 4
Don’t immediately tighten the eyepiece and the body right after the process. Take it slow and let it dry for some time. You may need to leave it overnight for the process to finish.
Step 5
The final step is to reassemble the scope. Now slowly start tightening the eyepiece and the body together. Once again, don’t be hasty and take it slow.
Conclusion
Keep in mind this is applicable for scopes that don’t have reticles etched onto the glass itself and the eyepiece can be removed. If your scope is a single-piece design and the reticle is etched on the glass, the best thing you can do is rotate the scope till the reticle is straight to your eyes and then tighten it again. Or get a replacement for that scope.
That’s all for now. I know this guide was oddly specific and cherry-picked for some, but what can you do? This is an annoying issue to deal with but doable nonetheless.
Hi, I’m Brent Hansford. A writer turned hunter & now sharing my love for the sport through writing. As I practically breathe weapons, I firmly believe I’m capable of providing you with new knowledge about firearms and hunting. My mission is to help more people get better at hunting & master the weapons. Let me help with unleashing the beast within you!
