Original “T” scopes are pretty good have owned several, mechanically  better than many new, never used them short range The “T” was well known for reliably adjusting, long time only scope used by successful Silhouette shooters. Some still use them. Had a 15x fixed power Asian made Weaver that focused well short, even on my 10M springer Airgun  Clicks were not reliable either was the micrometer scale, knob slipped on turning often. Cost me matches Rimfire silhouette, moved it to the 10 M Airgun were adjustment not needed 

Scopes can have trouble with range of parallax free focus. Have owned 3 Leupold 6.5 x 20 targets. One older scope  would not adjust for 40m Rimfire silhouette targets other 2 newer built would. Switched rifles used one for Rimfire other one CF full distance 200-500. Ended up selling the one that would not short focus.

For no good reason have 6 spotting scopes 2 are Older Leupold fixed power spotters. One a compact 50 mm x 25 x that will focus well on 25 yard indoor targets. Other 60 mm x 20 X that won’t.  Asked Leupold about it, answer was it was not built for short focus can’t be modified for short.

Further complicate my answer. 4 Unertl spotters. 50mm x 20 X absolutely clear down to 10 M & will focus long too. Unertl built it mostly for the bullseye pistol match only spotter I use indoors short was its intended use. Other Unertl spotters built for rifle matches will focus 40 yards never tried them less distance. All Unertl external adjustment rifle scopes I have owned and the one Lyman  STS adjusted absolutely clear down to 50 foot distance

Have to question the side adjustment feature that popular today. . Lot of additional complication never had need for fast turret adjustment on Single  Shot rifles . Objective lens adjustment works fine and much more precise than side knob. My advice if 50 is intended try before you buy or have a good return policy. Asian factories don’t test or repair they replace if problems. Make sure you can return it.

Boats 

There is nothing “mushy” about the clicks nor “ fuzzy” about the side focus at any distance.
I’d assume the report on side focus comes from folks the set it at 50 and not realize everybody’s eyes vary…….turn it until clear.
That and the fact that it is amazing how many users do not know how to properly focus the reticle with the eyepiece.

Thanks Tim & Charles. You have been very helpful in letting me know what to look for.

Makes one wonder why the T-36 and one of the most successful and reasonably priced benchrest scopes is now not even being produced?
Not only were the adjustments very positive but the optics were also very good.
And here the T-36 either with fine crosshairs and or with the 1/8th minute dot were both highly used in our own competitive shooting group.

Has anybody tried one of these? About the same price.

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I was active in high power competition from the late eighties until around 2010. For some reason, during those years the external adjustment scopes had begun to fall out of favor and shooters were buying internal adjustments scopes, mostly Leupold. I started with a Leupold 6.5x24 but soon began to not trust the adjustments. I replaced it with a used steel tubed Weaver T16. It didn’t have the optical quality of the Leupold but the adjustments were always dead nuts. It must’ve been a good choice because  soon others were looking for the Texas made T’s. 
I didn’t know that there was a 36x version. A friend had a 25. I have a 10x and a 6x. I let the 16 go with my long range rifle when I sold it. 
Bob,
I bought a Sightron 6.5 x 24 with side focus, thinking I’d try F Class. I think it’s a pretty good sight for the money, but frankly I haven’t given it much use. I put it on my HP match rifle and shot F Class in one match at Eau Claire. I quickly realized it wasn’t the game for me. 
About that time I began to look at my Sharps and thought hmmm! This might be a lot of fun for an old has been LR shooter. Than brings me to where I am now. 
JKR

I owned a ElPaso Weaver T 6 & T 16 still own a T 10.  Adjustments absolutely reliable, in particular parallax adjustment very precise. Probably 4 turns on a micrometer ruled barrel. Leupold 6.5x20 target about 1/4 turn ruled in yards that don’t match actual.

Yes the Leupold glass is coated and weather proof, matches I shot with the Weavers daytime nice weather on groomed ranges. Coatings not so important. I suspect class weight restrictions doomed external adjustment scopes for most shooters.

Boats