We are at an interesting point in human history and optical equipment where manufacturing techniques are such that the easy explanation of “scope failure” that we could use up to the first years of the 21st century no longer apply.

A well made scope from a number of named manufacturers are precision pieces. What they do show, more often than not, is an error in reloading, technique, set up that the shooter is not prepared to accept and therefore the scope is broken.

By all means do a box test if it makes you feel happy. But buy the best scope you can afford and concentrate more on reloading and shooting technique.

Richard: I think it’s incorrect to suggest that the latest generation scopes won’t fail. I have seen premium scopes from various makers “go south” or, not work to spec when new. I have seen a National record holder replace a $2800 scope in the middle of the Nationals because it failed.

With an accurate rifle a box text DOES reveal important facts. If you have a 2 MOA rifle, or are shooting from a wobbly rest, different story. But things do break or fail. Specific Example. My own “L-brand” 8-25X LRT. At a 600-yard match, we zeroed on steel, confirmed with sighters. Then went for record and put 3 shots inside two inches on paper. The final two shots went straight down to 6 o-clock, 18″ below the group. Vertical test performed after match showed erratic vertical of Multiple MOA. Scope shipped to Oregon. Returned 1 month later with a list of 15+ internal parts that were replaced by the manufacturer due to “internal components failure”.

But box testing is not just to confirm breakages. For long-range shooting it is vital to determine if your “1/4 MOA click” is actual 1.047″ at 100 yards/4 or something else. Some scope are closer to 1.000″. A click-by-click test can also reveal lash issues that also still affects some modern scopes.

Editor: If you have never done a box test from a good benchrest set up you should. Bryan Litz also advocated this procedure. You may be surpised with what you find. If nothing else it can give you confidence in the optic — and you may also be able to confirm a problem when something has gone wrong. I have had two major brand scopes go bad, with inexplicable vertical shifts. The problems appeared in a match and were later confirmed with vertical click tests.

An industrial collimator is the only machine that gives accurate and repeatable readings.

Best way to learn your scope is to get out and shoot with it.