Non adjustable rifle scopes ; like in WWI and WWII

[HILLBILLY-06]

(Weaver scopes have been and appear to be now good value optics, but I know where there's a box of dead ones, including one with the adrift lens drama. Too bad, because it was a nice LER stainless scope that would be loverly on a 629 S&W.)

I have a Weaver Classic Extreme 2.5 - 10 X 56mm, with 30mm tube, German #4 crosshairs, variable brightness lighted red dot, and side adjustible A.O.
I LOVE this scope, which sits atop my Savage model 114 in .270Win. It's the best combination I have, and it always works. It has awesome light gathering capability, and the variable power red dot helps me place the crosshairs on the bucks in very low light early in the morning and late in the evening. I have never had any problems with this scope at all. But I often forget about the fact that I zero'd it 1.5" high at 100 yards. So what happens is if a Buck gets within about 25 yards of me, as the last one did, I nearly shoot under him, nearly, but thats not a scope malfunction. It's a problem only with me not thinking about the trajectory of that bullet at 25 yards. The scope would have cost more than the Rifle if I purchased it (locally) over the counter, but I got it nearly $200.00 cheaper buying it online. I have never had any problem with this scope ever, except finding really good working flip-open covers that will fit the 56mm objective lense.

[jmoore]

I haven't moved it more than 1 or 2 clicks in any direction at its annual sighting in for as long as I can remember.

And that might be the secret right there! (However, I have fixed four-power Sportview purchased used with target turrets that has survived uncountable adjustments on a .22 silhouette pistol or two.)

The most common drama for me has been the "wandering zero with power change". Redfields being the worst. Had a brand new Burris that had the same problem. Kept it, but never change power.

[JGaynor]

Two questions, and they go together:

1. Is there a modern equivalent (over-the-counter) of the scope attachments that adjusted the scope for elevation and deflection (windage)?
Modern scopes have adjustments inside the scope.

2. Is there a modern scope that has no built-in adjustments?

Jeff Cooper lamented the loss of the simplicity and robustness of those two items. He said that at Gunsite, there were few rifle classes that did not have scope malfunctions. He advocated a scope that had the reticle etched on the glass; not a wire inside the glass. The elevation and deflection adjustments were to be made by the scope mounts.
Please lead me to any posts in this forum and links outside.
I thank you,
Dave

Be interesting to know precisely when he made these statements or wrote them.

I suspect the real reasons that external adjustments enjoyed several decades of popularity were:
1. Scope manufacturers did not have the technology to seal and moisture proof their products.
2. They didn't know how to make internal adjustments or keep the reticle centered.

Eventually technology improved and these issues were addressed.

Frankly the target scope style micrometer scopes and mounts were never satisfactory in a military role. Just too delicate.
Some of the german hunting scopes used on their snipers had the windage adjustment in the base. You need a special "skate key" to move the scope. Its frankly a royal PITA and not repeatable.

I admit the "V-block" mounts offered by Stith and B&L had a nice clean appearance. But one one has to ask if it was a good idea why did it fade away like 40 50 years ago?

As to the reticles, the military has used a lot of etched reticles where the pattern had a lot of complex ranging marks and where there was a need for illumination. For the simpler crosswire or post and crosswire reticles used on rifles it may just be a matter of cost.

Regards,

Jim