'SCOPE SIGHT
for Your Hunting Rifle
Starf-to-finish instrucfions for making
your own telescopic rifle sight
I F you would like to make a hunting 'scope for
yo,t" rifle, here is the information you will
II need. Optically, a telescopic rifle sight con-
sists of an objective or front lens, two erecting
lenses, a crosshair or reticle, and two lenses that
combine to make an eyepiece (Fig. 1). For good
performance the sight should have good defini-
tion, reasonably long eye relief and low power.
You can achieve good definition-a sharp flat
image-by using a long focus objective. And for
best resulk, focal length of objective lens should
not be less than 5 times its diameter. Eye relief
is the distance between the eye and the back of
the sight when image apparently fills eyepiece.
The magnification or power of a telescope is
equal to focal length of objective divided by F. L,
(focal length) of eyepiece. For example, an ob-
jective of 6 in. F. L. and an eyepiece of 2 in. F. L.
will give 3 power or 3X. Although a single glass
optical lens will introduce color into the image,
you can correct this defect by using an achro-
matic or two element lens consisting of a crown
and a flint lens cemented together. You'll find
that most surplus lenses are achromats, and all
of the optics specified for this rife sight are
of the achromatic type.
0-go scREws (4) z-s6 SCREW (l)
OB.,ECTIVE COVER PLATE
LOCK RtNCs (2) CROSSHAIR
.lIt [-- EL.oBJEcr,r, ---_J+
F.t ERECToR
OPTICIL SYSTEM AND ASSEMSLY
To find focal length of a lens,
project outdoor sun rays
through the lens and focus
them on a white card. Move
lens toward and away from
card until sun's image is at its
smallest and sharpest diam-
eter. Then measure distance
from lens edge (Fig. 2) to the
card; this distance is focal
length of lens, determined ac-
curately enough for our pur-
poses. In determining f ocal
lengths, remember that all focal lengths and sep-
arations are measured from edge of lens. Be-
ware of the intensely hot image point, which can
easily burn you. Also, don't make your test with
any_ other light source, such as an electric light,
as this will give divergent light and a false focal
length measurement. The sun emits parallel
light rays which will give true focal length of
lens tested.
_ 9i"9" a telescopic hunting sight is literally
held in the hands, if it is too powerfui a mag-
nifier, it becomes too sensitive to be practical.
and the shooter will have a hard time finding
and holding on his target unless he has nerves
of steel. For a hunting scope, magnification should
not exceed 4 power (4x). Target rifles shot from
a steady rest use powers as high as 8 or even
10x. Figure 1 and the accompanying photos,
drawings, and instructions gives specificititns for
the optical system of a 3 power hunting 'scope.
All optical parts in this sight were icquired
through surplus supply outlets. Note in fig. f
that eyepiece lenses are fitted to outside diamJter
of sight barrel. Since they are supplied in this
diameter the simplest way to mount them is
against instead of in. the sight barrel. Focal
o-80 scREws (4)
2-56 SCRE$/(t) \ EYEptECE MOUN?
ERECTOR MOUNT FIELO LENS
REcTt NG, LENSES(2) SPACER
EYE
LENS
-l
t __l
F.L.ERECTOR FL.EYE PIECE
lengths of various lenses were inserted for pur- will be the overall length of mount. Makc thc
poses of clarity. Specificatiqns are for maximum separation ring % in. long, regardless of focal
and minimum lens diameters and focal lengths length of eye and field lens. Eyepiece in Fig. 2,
in order to widen the maker's choice of optical having a 1sla irr. focal length, consists of two iden-
parts. Small deviations in lens specification will tical lenses, each with a 3% in. focd lengttr- De-
require a longer or shorter tube or a larger or tails of eyepiece mount (Fig. 5) are for eyepiece
smaller diameter, and result in slightly greater lenses with same diameter as outside of sight bar-
or lesser magnifying power. rel. If you use smaller diameter lenses machine
T'he rifle sight illustrated is made completely to dotted lines shown.
from brass, gives good perforrnance and has a lvVith sight barrel, objective lens locking rings,
high shock resistance. Before constructing it, erector mount" crosshair mount and eyepiece
first order proper lenses. Objective or front mount machine, the next step will be to apply a
lens should have same diameter as inside of durable, pleasing finish to external surfaces of
sight barrel, and focal length should be not less sight barrel and eyepiece mount. First procure
than 5 in. or more than 6 in. Two lenses which from your local druggist the following solution:
make up the erecting system should each have a 1.1 oz. avoirdupois of basic copper carbonate, and
diameter of not less than lz in. and not more 3.7 fluid oz. of aqua ammania (0.90 specific
than % in., and a focal length of not less than I gravity). These are added to I qt. of water to
in. and not more than 1% in.
Eye-piece consists of an eye
lens and field lens, each of
which has a diameter of not
less than 7/a in. and not more
than 1 in., and a focal length
of not less than 3\h in. and not
more than 33/+ in.
Machining Parts
The first step in construction
is to machine all metal parts
for mounting and aligning the
optics in the sight barrel. Sight
banel is a brass tube 12 in.
long, with a 1in. outside diam-
eter and 1%s in. inside diam-
eter. Objeetive lens locking
rings are }t in. long and must
slide smoothly in the sight bar'
rel. Crosshair mount (Fig. 3)
must be machined to an out-
side diameter that will slide
smoothly but not loosely in
sight barrel. No specific dimen-
sions are given here for the
erector mount (Fig. 4) since
all measurements for its con-
rr tt
struction will depend on the Explodcd <rlignment ol complcb 'rcopo cnd rupportr.
size and type of erecting lenses
you happen to use. Erecting lenses are spaced make your finishing solution. Before applying
in erector mount a distance equal to r,b the it, first sand sight barrel and eyepiece mount
sum of their combined focal length. For ex- with fl grit emery cloth on their outer sur-
ample, if lenses are each 1 in. focal length, then faces. After sanding to a satiny finislr" wash
spacing will be 1 in. The erector mount will outer surfaces in hot soapy water, rinse them in
have same slide 6t outside diameter as the cross- hot water, and then dry them with a clean cloth.
hair mount. Make inside diameter /ro in. less Be careful not to touch these surfaces after wash-
than diameter of lenses and bore steps to space ing, as the slightest finger print spoils the final
lenses from each end to allow proper spacing of finish. Next hang parts on separate wires and
lenses. Make overall length of erector mount immerse each piece for 20 minutes in finishing
equal to the separation of the lenses, plus their solution (at room temperature) with occasional
edge thicknesses, plus Yts in. to allow for a lip agitation. Parts should emerge with a satiny gun
to roll over and lock lenses into mount (see de- metal finish. Dry them with an additional clean
tail in Fig. a). Do not lock lenses in at this time. cloth.
Eyepiece mount (Fig. 5) slips onto sight bar- You are ready now to assemble the eyepiece.
rel with a lap of Y2 in. This lap, plus the edge Remember, however, that since an achromatic
thickness of both lenses, plus their separation lens consists of a crown and flint lens cemented
together, we must know
which way lens must
face in telescope. Crown
side is side having great-
est curvature. Looking
at edge of lens, note that
crown is invariably the
thinnest of the two com-
ponents. To assemble
eyepiece, first paint in-
side surfaces of mount
and separation ring with
a dead (no gloss) biack
lacquer. Then clean eye
and field lenses with al-
cohol and insert them in
mount uith their crolrrn
sides lacing each other
(Figs. 1 and 2), and
spaced by the )'2 in. sep-
aration ring. Lacquer
erector mount dead
black inside and then
assemble it by inserting
two erector lenses with
their crown sides facing
each other (Figs. 1 and
2);then spin f eather
edge over lens edges by
whirling rapidly in the
lathe while pressing
against lip with a round-ended brass rod. Be
very sure lenses and inside of mount are clean
before rolling feather edge over.
Now lacquer the crosshair mount dead black
inside, being careful not to close up 4 cross holes.
Crosshairs are .003 in. wire, designated as #41
enameled wire. Pass a 1 ft. long strand of this
wire through the 2 vertical holes. Wrap both
ends of wire 3 full times around the mount in the
groove and fasten with a thin dab of tire patch-
ing cement. Repeat this procedure with the hori-
zontal wire. For both wires to be square, all
wrappings should be in one direction only, either
right or ieft. When cement dabs on both wires
are dry, apply an additional heavy coat of cement
in the groove and lay aside for 24 hours; then
clean excess away from outside diameter of
mount. After this, take care not to touch cross-
hairs in any way.
With all sight parts machined and erector and
crosshairs assembled, we are ready to set up
optical parts temporarily in order to ascertain
correct separations between objective, crosshairs,
erector and eyepiece. Set up the objective with
its crown side lacing out or forward. Distance
from back edge of objective to center of groove
in crosshair mount is equal to focal length of
objective. Distance from crosshair groove to
front of erector is equal to focal length of one
of the erecting lenses; tJrat is, if erecting lenses
each have a 1 in. focal length, the distance will
be 1 in. Distance from back of erector to front
or field lens of eyepiece is equal to focal length of
one of the erecting lenses plus focal length of
eyepiece. Focal length
of eyepiece is found by
passing the sun's rays
through the assembled
eyepiece from either end
and noting distance from
Iens to card.
To clarify the separa-
tions, let's assume a 6 in.
F. L..objective, 1 in. F.
L. erectors and a 2 in. F.
L. eyepiece. It would
then be 6 in. from back
edge of objective to
crosshairs, 1in. from
crosshairs to front of
erector, and 1 plus 2 or
3 in. from back of erec-
tor to field lens of eye-
piece. All aligning and
locatin g of separations
must be done on a target
placed at least 50 yards
from the observer. Once
optics are aligned to
show a sharp target
image, cover them with
a folded cardboard
shield to exclude any
stray light. The target
should be sharply dis-
tinct and fill the eyepiece when observerts eye is
placed about 4 in. behind eye lens, if all measure-
ments are correct. Now you will need to adjust
crosshair mount to eliminate parallax. Move eye
from side to side. If crosshairs appear to move
off target in same direction as the eye then cross-
hair mount must be moved toward eyepiece. If
crosshairs appear to move opposite to diriction of
eye movement then mount must be moved
toward objective. When crosshairs remain im-
mobile on target, regardless of eye movement,
parallax has been eliminated.
_
Next place sight tube close alongside the op-
tics, being careful not to disturb them. One end
of tube must be parallel with its position in the
eyepiece mount. Now transfer lock screw loea-
tion marks for the erector and crosshair mounts
across to the barrel. Also make a slight mark on
barrel to locate back edge position of objective.
Note that hole for crosshair locking screw is
elongated (see photo). This allows for further
elimination of any slight parallax introduced by
inaccuracy of hole location. (Holes and location
mark were temporarily edged with white for
photographic clarity.) Before dismantling the
separation set up, note all measurements on a
rough sketch as per Fig. 1. Extra length of tube
projecting beyond front lens forms a sun shade
and also acts as a protection against any damag-
ing contact with twigs, brush, etc.
To assemble sight, drill hole in sight barrel for
erector lock screw with a #44 drill. Next drill a
# 44 hole for crosshair lock screw on the location
mark. Elongate this hole by drilling two addi-
tional holes on each side and connecting to form than 1A in. lor thig typc support. 1he mugh
a slo! using a small round ffle. Cover this bloch should be 1A in.n.wider than greatest bar-
slot with an oblong plate shap€d and drilled as rel diarnetcr and Y+ longer than combined
shown in Fig. 3. Paint barel dead black inside, barel diameters plus the space between. Bore
peint thinly and evenly, and dlow it to the sight barrel hole (Rr in Fig. 6) and then file
applying
a*.- Uext scnew eyepiece moturt to sight barrel or turn it to a double taper tobarrel allow for verticol
when target-
wittr three 040 machine screws spaced 120' and horizontal swing of sight
apar! which should be tapped through both ing in the scope. Bore rifle barel hole (Rr in
mount and sight barrel, because of the thinness Fig. 6) to calipered measurement of rife barrel
of the walls. Slide erector mount into barrel and and then roughly taper it to conform to taper of
lock in place with a 2-56 Filister-head machine gun barrel. Ttren drill, countersink, and tap
screw. Now slide crosshair mount into barrel block crosswise between holes to take the clamp
and lock with a 2-56 Filister-head screw through bolt. Finish block to shape by hacksawing oft
the slot cover plate. Be sure crosshair mount dotted line corners and rounding to shape
faces in the same direction as it did
in the temporary aligning set uP. A..tO.OF SIGHT BARRI I.
Paint objective lock rings dead black s -oo.oF EREcrrr{G
*taF A'9?TsrGHT 6ARRET
and allow to dry. Then slide one ob- C.- FocAL LENGTH 0t"itr"
Ot{E tS I
jective lock ring in to coincide with EREcrrNG LENS -T-
l.."rl ,t-,/F
location marh on barrel, and fastert
q NU
it in place with four 0-80 screws. DETATLoF Lrp
A
Next insert objective lens with
crown side facing out. Finally, in- t
sert remaining lock ring and fasten
it with four 0-80 screws.
An accompanying photo shows an
ERECTOR
exploded view of the complete scope
and its supports; these MOUilT
complete the telescopic
sight, which is mounted OETAIL x'
to
on your gun with a rigid with a ffle. Finally, spllt
support by mounting in
front support and a ring
type rear support which
@ a vise and hacksawing
NOTa OOUSU
has an adjustment for TAPER through the center line.
atigntng sight and target. Width of hacksaw cut
Position of sight is ob- will allow the support to
tained by holding gun to OPILL A}IO CYsK. firmly squeeze sight and
shoulder apd moving FOn |o-3e ALLEII rifle barrels, so holes
sight to apd away from c PSCREW lr need not be t,o exact
I
the eye until image fills a
micrometer measure-
L ments.
eyepiece with t,Le head
held in a natural and FROl,lT SUPPORT lihe rear suplrcrt is
comf ortable shooting made from brass, with a
position. Make a tem- ring of stated thickness
F)rary marking of this o o (fig. ?). As in the case
sight position on the of the front support" all
rifle barrel (note spac-
16l o other measurements are
ing of supports in ac- o o determined by the make
t0.32 TAP
companying photos of of gun. Rear portion of
complete sight mounted rifle barrel, being a lar-
on a Marlin .22 caliber ger diameter, will, of
bolt action rifle). Front course, riduce spacing
support (Fig. 6) is made between barrel holes"
from brass to stated Center to center meas-
thickness; all other di- urements of two barrel
mensions depend on holes must coincide with
make of gun. Rifle front support measure-
barrel must be calipered ments. Before making
at front support position either support, make a
and measurement noted; rough sketch of each and
outside diameter of sight check center to center
barrel is already known. distance of barrel holes
Mount sight as closely REAR SUPPOPT on each support for
as possible to the rifle parallel alignment. Rear
barrel, but no closer support is made in two
pieces, the ring and the base. Inside diameter
(R' in Fig. 7) of ring should be YE in. larger than
sight barrel. Drill and tap holes for three ad-
justment screws (3,4 in. long Allen cap screws)
as shown.
'llhe base will mount on the receiver or rear of
gun and must be a saddle fit. This is best accom-
plished by making a ring to necessary inside
diameter and wall thickness and then sawing a
section from it (dotted lines in Fig. 7). Then
drill base for four mounting screws and braze
it to the ring. The wall thickness of base will
control center to center measurement of barrel
holes and care must be taken to position ring
with vertical and horizontal holes correctly
aligned before brazing. Both supports are now
dipped in the bluing solution, after cleaning and
sanding all surfaces.
Mouniing ihe Sight
To mount sight on gun, you may have to notch
forearm of rifle in order to inlet the front sup-
port (Fig. 6). The four mounting bolts for rear
support base are &32 Allen cap screws, and if
possible they should be drilled and tapped into
section of receiver that firing mechanism slides
in (Fig. 6). Do not drill into barrel at or ahead
of bullet chamber. T?re holes should be drilled
oversize. For example, in the case of 6-32 bolts
calling for a #36 tap drill, a #32 drill should be
used. Take care and time in drilling so that you
do not break oft the tap. These bolts should be
turned in snugly but not too tightly in order to
avoid stripping the threads, r
rffhen mounted on rifle adjust the sight barrel
until it is apparently level and centered with the
gun barrel; then tighten clamp and adjustment
screws. To align the target, gun and sight, clamp
the gun in a portable vise fastened to a suitable
support. Place target (a 3 in. black dot) at 100
feet distance. Remove bolt or breach mechanism
for gun. Now adjust gtrn position until target
can be s6en centered in bore of rifle. Without
moving gun, raise your eye and look through the
telescope. If crosshairs are oft the target then
adjust vertical or horizontal screws to bring tar-
get and crosshairs into alignment. Once aligned,
lock adjustment screws by a locknut on each
screw. Finally, remove gun from vise, fire it
from a steady rest and check the results to elirni-
nate small errors.