What Is Windage and Elevation?

Windage and Elevation: definition

Also called: turrets, turret clicks, click value, windage adjustment, elevation adjustment

Elevation moves the point of impact up or down; windage moves it left or right. Both are controlled by turrets on the scope, either capped screw-down adjusters or external knobs. Each click moves the impact by a fixed angle, the click value, usually 1/4 or 1/2 MOA.

The movement in inches depends on distance. Using the 1.047 inches per 100 yards figure, a 1/4 MOA click moves impact about 0.26 inches at 100 yards, about 0.13 inches at 50 yards, and about 0.05 inches at 20 yards. That is why sighting in at a short distance takes many more clicks than the same correction at long range.

Turret styles differ. The TruGlo 4x32 uses 1/4 MOA fingertip adjusters under screw-down caps. The Vortex Crossfire II and TenPoint RangeMaster 100 use 1/2 MOA clicks. The TenPoint EVO-X Marksman Elite has external micro-adjustable turrets that adjust by hand without tools. Whichever style, the aim is to zero the scope and then leave the turrets alone.

Click arithmetic

Inches moved per click by click value and distance

Why Windage and Elevation matters

Turrets are how the measured group offset becomes a correction. Understanding click value lets you make a calculated adjustment instead of a trial-and-error one.

Good tracking matters. Clicks should move impact by the stated amount and return to the original zero when reversed, otherwise adjustments cannot be trusted.

Turret type changes how you work. Capped turrets protect the zero from accidental movement, while exposed turrets allow quick changes but can be knocked.

How to read it on a spec sheet

• Find click value in the specification: 1/4 MOA, 1/2 MOA or 1 MOA.
• Look for total adjustment range, which limits how far you can move from centre.
• Directional arrows on the turret show which way to turn to move impact.
• Check whether turrets are capped or exposed, and whether tools are needed.
• Note any reset feature, such as a zero stop, if the scope has one.

Common mistakes

• Applying 100-yard click values at short range. At 20 yards a 1/4 MOA click is only about 0.05 inches.
• Turning turrets the wrong way because the arrow was misread.
• Adjusting from one bolt rather than the centre of a group.
• Running out of travel because the rail or mount is not aligned. Mount the scope level first.
• Using turrets to chase every shot. Fix technique before clicking.

Making a windage and elevation correction

1. Shoot a group of at least three bolts from a stable rest at your chosen distance.
2. Measure the centre of the group relative to the aim point, left-right and up-down, in inches.
3. Divide each offset by the inches-per-click figure from the formula or table.
4. Turn the turrets by that number of clicks in the direction shown by the arrows. See how to sight in a crossbow scope.
5. Shoot a confirmation group, and record the final zero and click count.

In my testing

I check turrets by moving them and returning to zero. On the Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32 the turrets moved in precise 1/2 MOA increments with no measurable drift after repeated adjustments, and on the TenPoint EVO-X Marksman Elite the external turrets let me dial windage and elevation by hand without tools. How I test.

See it in our reviews

• Vortex Crossfire II 2-7x32 — rated 4.6/5
• EVO-X Marksman Elite — rated 4.7/5
• TruGlo 4x32 Compact Scope — rated 4.3/5
• TenPoint RangeMaster 100 — rated 4.6/5