Quote Originally Posted by banshee1 View Post
Since I'm not super knowledgeable in scope building, maybe you guys can answer this. When adjusting the crosshairs are they actually moving like they are mounted on tracks (linear motion) or are you just pivoting the housing containing the crosshairs? If its the former it wouldn't matter if scope is on centerline perfectly just as long as it's close enough that you dont use all of the lateral adjustment of the crosshairs correct? The only critical part really is just that the scope is parallel to the bore right?

Thanks guys.
The reticle and several lenses of a scope are mounted in what's called the erector tube. It's a smaller tube mounted inside the scope. When you turn the adjustment dials for windage and elevation, you're basically pushing that erector tube to the left or down. A spring (usually mounted at about the 7:30 position, though some scopes have two springs at 6 and 9 o'clock) keeps the erector pressed firmly against the contact points for the turrets when making adjustments.

Here's a couple fairly decent pics to give you a visual...