Zeroing an M4

Vetmx said:

I looked at post #11 earlier and thought how long are you going to ignore the answer. The more windage than elevation was a dead giveaway. Dang zero stops. Easy to forget about them when the new toy arrives.

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I actually had no idea what a zero stop is or that the Element scopes had them until the video was posted. Yep, I'm that guy, I get a scope, I mount it and shoot! Who needs direction or a manual, you used one scope you've used them all! Or NOT! I know now though...

Yes, that is the exact same scope I have. Interesting videos, I'm surprised Element Optics replaced it and didn't just have him remove the zero stop from the elevation turret. Matt Dubber's video about the zero stop was posted 4 years ago, James' review video was posted 2 years ago, so they knew it was an issue two years prior to James' review.

Also, my issue was just the opposite of his, my POI was way above POA and my Helix bottomed out before reaching POA. I had to raise the front ring to get POI at POA. But, then I saw Matt Dubbers video and removed the zero stop. I now have no problem zeroing the scope at 35 yards. I feel his problem and others who have experienced this problem could have fixed it by removing the zero stop, or adjusting it to allow zero. I feel the zero stop was probably installed incorrectly from the factory, or as was pointed out in the video, the zero stop was adjusted at the factory for a powder burner, not an air gun. This, since Element Optics is affiliated with FX Airguns, is probably a marketing nightmare for them!

I have not heard back from Element Optics, so I have no idea what they are going to suggest, but if they don't suggest removing or readjusting the zero stop, I'm going to let them know they really need to adjust it differently from the factory, or leave it out on the Helix models.

kaylaindy said:

The M4 and the scope should both work perfectly. If the scope is not at its optical center or very close to it then something is off. I always wondered why my Helix would go side to side a litle bit when I adjusted the elevation up or down. Never just straight down or straight up. I wonder if my Windage/Elevation is tilted to one side.

I hope this works out...yeah, try a different scope. I do know my second M4 did not need anything special to hit at 35 yards. My rings were flat and I had a Helix.

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I tried 2 other scopes and they were both fine. After removing the Zero Stop (that I believe was not adjusted correctly from the factory) I got the fully range of elevation and subsequently was able to zero it. When going through this whole exercise, it did track fairly straight as I was adjusting the elevation up and down. I think the only issue with my scope was the Zero Stop not being set for airgun use from the factory.

Ranchibi said:

Paul, zero stops are for the user to set after you have set up your POI for your gun, it lets you increase elevation but has a hard stop at your set POI and will not let the elevation turret move any further DOWN, makes it so you can dial back down without looking, hits a MECHANICAL ZERO STOP .

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Thank you Randall! Now I know!