| parallax | | | | adjustment on your scope. |
| Have you ever wondered what the term Parallax | | | | Many shooters don't realize that with a few |
| means? I asked the same thing when I first started | | | | adjustments they could greatly affect their shooting |
| shooting with a higher magnification rifle scope. This | | | | performance. This is particularly so, when really tight |
| guide should give you some insight into getting the | | | | groupings are desired, for competition or longer range |
| best focus out of your target, varminting or hunting | | | | varminting. If you are like me you will find that the |
| scope, or any other adjustable parallax scope for | | | | documentation that comes with your scope isn't |
| that matter. | | | | particularly helpful when it comes to ease of learning |
| Have you ever looked through a higher magnification | | | | how to use it. The scope manufacturers assume you |
| scope and noticed that if you move your eye off | | | | already know. Howvever, the adjustment for |
| center to the edge of the exit pupil, the reticle | | | | parralax should not be avoided, since they are fairly |
| seems to shift around the target? The shift occurs | | | | simple to make. |
| when the parallax setting is out of adjustment for | | | | Now that you have an understanding of what |
| the distance to the target. While some have | | | | parallax is, it's time to fine tune your scope for |
| mistaken the parallax adjustment to be a focus | | | | increased accuracy. We will assume you have already |
| adjustment or even act as a rangefinder, neither of | | | | zeroed in your scope and that it's properly sighted in. |
| these is the case. The parallax adjustment, when set | | | | You will need to set up your rifle so it is securely |
| properly will insure that the reticle remains positioned | | | | positioned on a bench. A solid shooting rest with a |
| correctly on the target; as if your crosshairs were | | | | vise is recommended. Dial in the suggested setting on |
| painted on, as a part of the target, specifically for | | | | the parallax adjustment ring for the range that you're |
| your vision & scope setup. | | | | shooting from. Now, look through the scope and shift |
| Now if your scope is not a "target" or a "varmint | | | | your eye back and forth, left to right so you can see |
| hunting" rifle scope, you usually won't need to be | | | | if the crosshairs seem like they are moving across |
| concerned with the parallax setting. In most hunting | | | | the target. Experiment with the adjustment ring until |
| scopes the parallax problem is negligible. Most often, I | | | | you have eliminated the illusion that your crosshairs |
| do not have a problem with parallax on my lower | | | | are moving. An example of a fully featured riflescope, |
| power hunting scopes. I hunt, and also enjoy | | | | the Leupold Mark 4, can be found at the following |
| achieving tight groups at the range, so then parralax | | | | site, ( |
| is of critical importance to me, where accuracy is a | | | | When you think you've got it perfect, take a little |
| must. I personally, do not want the aggravation of a | | | | white-out liquid paper and make a mark on the |
| floating reticle when I'm shooting for accuracy at the | | | | parallax adjustment ring so you'll know where to |
| range or in the field. | | | | adjust it later. I see some people paint their mark or |
| Most of the higher power variable riflescopes, with a | | | | score it into the metal, but I prefer something that's |
| power of 12X or higher, will have an adjustment ring | | | | not so permanent until I'm absolutely certain about |
| at the end of the objective lense (the end closest to | | | | the position, so the white out liquid paper can easily |
| the target). Some scopes have the adjustment | | | | be removed once you get the parralax setting locked |
| turret on the left side Usually the parallax adjustment | | | | in. Your next step is to take three to six shots (2 |
| ring has the suggested settings printed on them, so | | | | groups of 3 shots strings) and check how your |
| you can just dial in the range you're shooting from. | | | | grouping has improved. You will see improvement. |
| The problem is tthat these suggested settings are | | | | Then take the time to continue the parralax 'dialing in' |
| rarely as accurate as they could be. You might ask, | | | | by moving he target 50 yards out and repeat the |
| "Why should I go through the trouble of getting my | | | | process. It will be very useful to find the perfect |
| settings "just right"? Why not just use the suggested | | | | settings for all the ranges that you typically shoot, in |
| setting? The reason is simply that you could easily | | | | 50 yard increments. |
| shrink the size of your groups by as much as 30%, | | | | Happy shooting! |
| just by taking the time to properly set the parallax | | | | |