scope is "blurry"

[gspn]

I realized this week that my rifle scope is "blurry". I got behind the gun the other day to check zero and realized that at 100 yards my 5.5 inch shoot-n-see target was a blurry mess. I couldn't make out the edges well and I certainly had no resolution on the "crosshair" lines that are printed on the target.

My first thought was that I needed to go see the eye doctor, but when I pulled my new bino's out, everything was crystal clear. I looked through my sons Leupold and everything is crystal clear there as well.

I had them side by side tonight just to check my scope. In my backyard I have a woodpile about 70 yards from the house. On the woodpile is a waterproof cover to keep the wood dry...and there are words printed on it. Through my sons scope I can read every letter. Through my scope I can tell there's some white stuff and that it's probably letters but I can't make any of them out.

To be fair, this is an old scope...it's been my primary hunting scope for 20 years. Is there something that would cause this "blurry" image?

I'd prefer not to buy a new scope but I leave Thursday for a hunting trip. I have time to buy and zero a new one...just wondering if anyone else has ever had this happen.

 

[HexHead]

One of the elements probably came out of place. Time to trade up, unless it's a Leupold.

 

[gspn]

I think I figured it out. Somewhere along the line I must have taken the eye-bell off and not put it back in the same place. I removed it tonight to clean it and after I posted this it just got to bugging me.

I took it outside and slowly threaded it back onto the scope...boom...at some point I got it to the spot where it was back in focus. I tightened the lock ring and put it away before I could screw it up.

 

[JimKirk]

If you took the bell off ... you will get fogging next ... you let the gas out that keeps it fog free...

 

[gspn]

I've had it off in the past...so far it's never fogged. It might eventually...but it's been a few years ant it hasn't yet.

 

[JimKirk]

Good Luck... Good hunting...

 

[FLIGHT762]

If you took the bell off ... you will get fogging next ... you let the gas out that keeps it fog free...

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^is a fact.

I've had it off in the past...so far it's never fogged. It might eventually...but it's been a few years ant it hasn't yet.

You might get away with the scope not fogging, but it will eventually fail you, most likely at a bad time. I've had it happen with a Leupold scope.

You didn't specify what brand of scope you have, but if it is a major brand with repair services, it would be a good idea after the hunting season to send the scope in and have it purged and resealed.

 

[gspn]

It's an old Pentax Lightseeker. I'll check on shipping it off after this trip. thx for the heads up.

 

[gspn]

As an interesting follow up here's a video on how they purge them. Also, I thought it was ridiculous how they test recoil tolerance. They simulate 600 rounds per hour of 300 grain .375 loads. I'd hate to work in that room all day.
This is for Burris scopes but I imagine everyone has something similar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HArIWnfwYNw

 

[gamestalker]

Oh my, you removed the bell? Never do that, it defeats the purpose of purging and will definitely cause you problems at some point in time as a result.

If it were me, I would buy a $250 Leupold, don't ever remove the bell or other lenses, just rinse them off under running water, they are 100% water proof and fog proof.

Good luck!

GS

 

[d2wing]

Unless you live in a warm dry climate I would replace the scope or get it fixed before the hunt.