Importance of locking turrets?

[MTVA Hunter]

Hey All, first post. I searched and didn't see anything directly relating to this but if it's been answered elsewhere feel free to point me there. I'm in the market for a new scope for my hunting rig. I'm planning to put something FFP with exposed turrets on it but it seems like there aren't many options with locking turrets until you get to the PST Gen II class and it's comparable optics. So my question is, how necessary is it that turrets lock?
Midway has the Athlon Ares BTR for $400 and the Nikon FX1000 for $450 right now. The lack of locking turrets has really been the only thing holding me back from pulling the trigger on one. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Tangent]

Locking turrets aren't necessary, but they are nice. I much prefer a locking elevation and either locking or capped windage. I think a bare minimum is a zero stop for an exposed elevation.

It really just boils down to you establishing a 'pre-fire checklist'.

 

[Rick Richard]

Having had zero stop, locking turrets and capped turrets, I am more concerned with good indexing of turrets, repeatability and good glass. Just my preference based on my needs.

 

[Recon$$]

I prefer non locking personally.

 

[Patton63]

I don't have locking turrets on my scopes (all of which have exposed elevation dials), but insist on a zero stop. I keep the rifle dialed at zero when moving and make adjustments from there. The first adjustment, though, is to move check that it is right against the zero stop. That way, even if the dial gets turned inadvertently when hiking, I get it back down to zero before making any elevation adjustments.

 

[Orange Dust]

I don't care for locking turrets, but must have a 0 stop. Capped windage is fine if you hold for wind. Kahles has an oversize cap on the windage that free spins. Cool but pricey. What matters is that they track and return to 0 every time. This and glass are what run the price up.

 

[waveslayer]

Skip both glasses and go Nightforce SHV. It has a turret cover I know for windage.

Don't cheap out on glass, not worth it!

I've hunted for years with exposed turrets and have never had an issue.

Those optics you listed I wouldn't trust for a hunt. It could mean the difference between bringing home a trophy and meat, to I just hiked around and took pictures of nature

 

[BallisticsGuy]

If you're hunting, then yeah. If you're competing, then maybe. I've had turrets get spun on me while on a hunt. It makes for embarrassing misses or wounded game.

 

[cockednlocked]

I find locking turrets to be an absolute must I missed two nice animals due to the windage turret getting spun on a pst (first gen) it was catching on my suspenders/pack straps every time I took a step I'm left handed and with a safari sling it puts the windage turret against your body . after that I couldn't trust it of course this only applies to a snap shot if your set up on a stand you would have time to verify the turrets

 

[Plinker147]

I have hunted for years with non with exposed locking turrets. They have been bump and moved throughout the day of hunting. If you pay attention you can easily return to zero but you always have to check.

All my scopes now have zero stops. If the turrets gets move I just crank it back to zero stop and no issues.

 

[Rick Richard]

If your worried about the the Windage turret moving, then just wrap clear scotch tape around the turret and scope junction. This will prevent it from moving and if it does then you can also see by how much.

 

[Mach 1]

I also prefer non capped non locking turrets. Sounds like you have a hard budget for a scope. I would go for repeatable tracking and poa hold. It doesn't matter how good of glass it has or how secure the turret caps are if it it doesn't hold poa and won't track/return to Zero. I've been there done that.... pony up the dough and buy a good optic. You'll have it the rest of your life. IMO Nikon and the low end athlon scopes aren't in that category.

 

[Aussie Hunter Steve]

I have both turret styles, also capped and uncapped windage turrets. For hunting, locked / capped turrets give greater peace of mind. One less distraction.

 

[skipglo]

Hey All, first post. I searched and didn't see anything directly relating to this but if it's been answered elsewhere feel free to point me there. I'm in the market for a new scope for my hunting rig. I'm planning to put something FFP with exposed turrets on it but it seems like there aren't many options with locking turrets until you get to the PST Gen II class and it's comparable optics. So my question is, how necessary is it that turrets lock?
Midway has the Athlon Ares BTR for $400 and the Nikon FX1000 for $450 right now. The lack of locking turrets has really been the only thing holding me back from pulling the trigger on one. Thanks for the advice.

Best thing to come out since sliced bread! Wouldn't buy a scope anymore that doesn't have them...period!