Fixed a broken scope...

[Catfish]

I got an old Ted Williams 30-30 that was stored in an attic for a couple decades. Here's a pic:

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So you can see she's no beauty queen but it shoots straight. The 4x Tasco surprised me. Apparently they used to make better products because this one has a nice crisp reticle and the glass is very clear. The first range trip with the gun went well it shot almost to POA with factory loads and held zero for the duration. But apparently those years in the attic were not kind to the scope because here's what I saw when I took it out of the safe Sunday:


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I'm holding the rifle vertical and the reticle is canted about 20 deg left. I figured I have little to lose so I get on Google and start researching DIY scope repair. It's actually very easy tto fix this.

 

[Catfish]

Screw off the end cap...
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And the reticle is right there:

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[Catfish]

The reticle is attached to the inner brass ring which is held in position by a little dab of glue. Those years in the attic followed by a trip to the range must have broken the glue because I could reach in with a tweezer and rotate the ring freely. I re-aligned it, put a couple dabs of super glue at 12:00 and 6:00 on the ring and it's good as new.

Anyhow, first time playing with a scope I thought it was interesting. I also fixed my fridge today but I don't have any pics

 

[Coltdefender1911]

Nice work. Always is rewarding to fix something yourself isn't it. Most people are too scared to try things themselves. Kudos to you sir.

 

[Bailey Boat]

If it was nitrogen sealed you just let it all out. It will now fog at the slightest hint of moisture and cold air. Tasco will still work on their older products, you may consider sending it back to them if it means anything to you for actual use.

 

[foopid stucker]

I would be very afraid of using crazy glue (I have seen it fog up all kinds of stuff. I would use anything but) that said perhaps a few minutes in a warm oven before/during assembly could help combat the moisture issue. ( just an idea...maybe not a good one) HTH

 

[Climberman]

If it was nitrogen sealed you just let it all out. It will now fog at the slightest hint of moisture and cold air. Tasco will still work on their older products, you may consider sending it back to them if it means anything to you for actual use.

I was thinking this too.

 

[Catfish]

Good point. The humidity was ~65% in my house that day. I'm going to try pulling the endcap off and putting it in the safe for a few days to get as much moisture out as possible.

 

[RR]

I have a book somewhere on scope repair. It is old.

It references a DIY nitrogen purge using some nitrogen gas product used by wine collectors. I don't collect it, I just drink it.....Lol.

I'll have to see if I can find the book. It is in a box somewhere in the gun room.

 

[Catfish]

Think I could use a can of Guinness?