PRODUCT REVIEW: MOUNTING MAGIC

Created on 29th May 2009

MARK CAMOCCIO tries out a new product that overcomes a number of old problems

THE PROCESS of zeroing a riflescope can often reveal problems with equipment that aren't always easy to pinpoint. The classic scenario is when the scope runs out of adjustment on the turrets, yet the impact point is still several inches from zero.

If the shot remained 5" off to the left, for example, it could well be that the barrel was bent, or something was out of alignment: a worrying predicament, and one that would require expert attention. However, a perfectly normal and more likely occurrence is that the shot would be striking almost centrally, yet high or low. This can be caused by ‘barrel droop', among other things, or just the limited adjustment inherent in a particular scope.

A crude fix is to pack up one of the mounts to compensate, yet this in itself can cause problems, as the scope body tube then runs the risk of distortion as it is effectively pulled in two directions. Sportsmatch, a world renowned authority in this field, has been producing top-class scope mounts and accessories in the UK for the last 30-odd years. It has come up with a fully adjustable solution for a variety of problems - all in a two-piece format. The key point here is that the scope can be zeroed using just the mounts.

Beautifully-made

The ATP65 is a beautifully-made set of mounts to take a 1" scope body (up to 60mm objective), and each mount has a movable top half which can be adjusted within its base.

With several moving parts, you'd be forgiven for thinking that things could shift once the zero has been set. Yet Sportsmatch claim that all development testing was carried out while the mounts were fitted to a spring powered air-rifle developing 25ft/lb. My own testing was carried out on a rather less aggressive Air Arms S410, but the principle was the same.

Mounting procedure

A scope was mounted for the first time, and a group was shot at 25yd. The impact was noted as 6" high and 2.5" to the right: the task was to zero the scope using only the adjustments on the mounts.

The locking screws must be slackened on both mounts, to allow for slight movement of both when one is adjusted. It's important to take great care in doing this, and when locking them up again, to ensure that the scope tube itself is not being put under pressure (other than by the clamping force retaining it within each mount). What we don't want is to inadvertently introduce any bending moment in the process, so slacken both bases off adequately and tighten carefully when making adjustments.

The elevation can be adjusted via a small screw in the foot of the mount, using a special ball-headed Allen key - shaped to allow easier access into awkward areas. This elevation adjustment in the mount is apparently a unique feature, along with the fact that the scope sight line height can effectively be set when both mounts are simultaneously raised.

Windage can be adjusted via the same slackening process, followed by the side screws. Once zero is within an inch, fine adjustment can obviously be set with the scope turrets if you prefer. I got within half inch by adjusting only the mounts, and then reached for the turrets - but quite precise adjustment can be achieved just with the mounts.

Full lateral adjustment can also be achieved to set the scope directly above the barrel centre line when both mounts are again adjusted simultaneously.

Finally, by using this system, the optics can also be centred. This is the most desirable state, where the turrets are set at their exact mid-point of adjustment (by counting the total number of clicks required to take windage or elevation adjustments from one extreme to the other, and setting it to half that number from one extreme point), then zeroing the scope via the mounts. This keeps the scope internals working at their optimum, providing all the adjustment range the scope offers, with minimal stress all round.

All in all, this is one clever piece of kit - superbly produced, as always, by Sportsmatch - which I believe should suit smallbore as well as air rifle enthusiasts.

The ATP65 mounts retail for £70, and would certainly be great last-minute Christmas presents. For more details on this and other Sportsmatch mounts, visit www.sportsmatch-uk.com.

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