Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9x 40mm

[Kestrel]

I'm sure this post is going to make me sound stupid, but here it goes:

I just got a Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9x 40mm scope. I've never had a scope before, so I'm at a bit of a loss. I have tried to adjust both the height and the windage, but to no avail. Reading through the manual, it appears that the adjustments are covered by a cap - well, I can't for the life of me get those caps off. I have already lightly damaged the finish on one with tool marks - I can make it turn left and right if gripped with tools, but not by finger grip, and I can not get it to come off.

Also, after looking at the illustration in my manual, it appears that my scope is of the "fast focus eyepiece design", yet I can NOT turn the fast focus eyepiece as indicated in my manual.

Am I missing something easy and obvious? Or is their a problem with my scope?

[savagewsm]

Most scopes have a screw on cap over the adjustment dials. ( lefty loosy etc.)
The caps should scew off easily. If not use a cloth or something to improve your grip. Don't use pliers or vice grips. When open you will find the adjustments with arrow pointing to the direction you want the bullet to move on the target. These are turned by hand or some have a small slot where a coin can be used. ( If the gun shoots high turn the dial down to move the point of impact down etc. ) The dial will usually move the POI 1/4" per click at 100 yds.

If for some reason the caps will not come off send the scope to Bushnell for warranty service. I would not begin using tools etc. as this may void the warranty. Bushnell has a pretty good warranty service center in Canada. Another option would be to consult a local smith. Finally a good idea would be to get the gun boresighted before you begin shooting. This will save a fair bit of shooting and dialing. I have a couple of 3200's and they are good scopes. I've never needed more than four shots to dial them after boresighting.

If you have any more questions please feel free to ask or PM.

Good luck

[Kestrel]

Thanks for the quick response. I have a history of wrecking things when trying to force them, so I took my scope to someone who is a little more light handed than I am. The focus adjustment was really tight, but has loosened after being moved back and forth a few times. The caps on the height and windage ended up being overly tightened - it took the two-handed twist to get them off.

So, thankfully, I have a fully functional scope, with only the slightest tool marks on the one cap to testify to my earlier foolishness. Thanks again for the response.

[savagewsm]

Good to here things worked out.

[Fisher-Dude]

Birchwood Casey makes a "Super Black" paint pen that works really well for touching up the finish on scopes if you mark it up (I'm assuming it's gloss black?). It looks like a felt marker - look for it in the gun cleaning products aisle.