Athlon Midas TAC 5-25x56: Dial Elevation, Cap Windage

By Optics Force | Published: 2026-11-03

Category: أدلة إرشادية

Set up the Athlon Midas TAC 5-25x56 turrets the right way: zero the direct dial elevation turret, lock a zero stop, and leave windage capped for field use.

Quick answer

Zero the rifle first, then set the direct dial elevation turret to your zero mark and confirm the zero stop. Leave the capped windage turret at its neutral setting and only remove the cap to make a deliberate wind correction.

Why the two turrets work differently

The Midas TAC 5-25x56 pairs an exposed elevation turret for quick, repeatable come-ups with a capped windage turret that resists bumps in the field. That split suits long-range shooters who dial elevation constantly but rarely touch windage once zeroed.

The trade-off is that windage corrections require removing the cap, so a rushed wind call is slower than with an exposed turret. Decide before the stage whether you will hold wind in the reticle or dial it.

When the capped windage turret is the better choice

Hunting, truck guns, and any rifle that gets carried rather than benched benefit most from the capped design. If your match format demands fast wind dialing, practice removing and replacing the cap smoothly or plan to hold wind instead.

The side focus rifle scope adjustment is separate from both turrets, so do not confuse parallax correction with windage. Set side focus for target distance and image sharpness, then leave it alone unless distance changes.

Turret setup steps

Bore and rough zero at 100 yards: Start with the elevation turret near its middle of travel, fire a group, and adjust until impacts are on paper. Common mistake: chasing a rough zero with the windage cap off and losing the cap in the grass. Confirm the rifle is on paper before touching turret zero marks.
Set the direct dial elevation turret to zero: Loosen the turret screws or set screw per the Athlon instructions, rotate the dial to align the zero mark with the index line, and tighten. Checkpoint: the dial should read zero without moving the erector. Verify the turret reads zero while the rifle still groups at your zero distance.
Confirm the zero stop: After setting zero, dial down and feel for the stop, then return to zero. Common mistake: forcing the turret past the stop and shifting the zero. If the stop is adjustable, set it just below your zero so you can dial back with confidence. The zero stop should stop you at or just under zero, not above it.
Neutralize and cap the windage turret: Set the windage turret to its center mark, confirm it matches your zero, and replace the cap snugly. Checkpoint: the cap should be hand-tight, not overtorqued, so you can remove it in the field. Record the windage zero mark so you can return to it after any correction.
Set side focus for distance: Adjust the side focus until the target is sharp and parallax is minimized at your shooting distance. Common mistake: using side focus as a range finder and trusting the markings over actual image clarity. Recheck side focus after changing distance, not after changing elevation.
Log your come-ups and wind holds: Shoot at distance, record the elevation dial setting and the wind hold you used, and note whether you dialed windage or held in the reticle. Common mistake: mixing dialed and held wind on the same stage, which doubles the correction. Keep one wind method per stage so your log stays useful.

Product facts

Athlon Optics Midas TAC 5-25x56 Direct Dial Elevation and Capped Windage Turrets Side Focus 34mm Rifle Scope: First focal plane with a 5-25x magnification range and 56mm objective. The wide magnification span lets you use the same scope for close rimfire work and long-range centerfire shooting, so turret settings must be repeatable across that range.
Athlon Optics Midas TAC 5-25x56 Direct Dial Elevation and Capped Windage Turrets Side Focus 34mm Rifle Scope