scope parallax

[highwayman]

thinking about putting a bushnell trophy handgun scope on a 44mag. contender. what is the parallax on this scope

[S.B.]

Define scope paralax, please? I always thought it was the accute angle, of the off set of the shooters eye, to dead center of the scope? I have never exactly understood this?

[Redhawk1]

Understanding Parallax
Parallax is the apparent movement of the target relative to the reticle when you move your eye away from the center point of the eyepiece of the scope. It occurs when the target does not fall on the same optical plane as the reticle. If the image and the reticle are not on the same plane, the image will be unclear and the reticle will appear to move in relation to the target. The result is an inconsistent point of impact. This becomes more important as the magnification of a scope gets higher - the greater magnification makes the focusing of the image more sensitive to changes in distance from the target. Lower magnification scopes are generally set at the factory for a specific distance. Higher magnification scopes feature the Adjustable Objective or the Side Focus knob. Our scopes are set to be parallax free at the following yardages: Handgun scopes - 100 yards Shotgun scopes - 75 yards Rimfire scopes - 60 yards Hunting scopes - 150 yards

[Redhawk1]

thinking about putting a bushnell trophy handgun scope on a 44mag. contender. what is the parallax on this scope

This is from the Bushnell web site. For the Bushnell 2x6x32 Trophy handgun scope.

Parallax
A condition that occurs when the image of the target is not focused precisely on the reticle plane. Parallax is visible as an apparent movement between the reticle and the target when the shooter moves their head or, in extreme cases, as an out-of-focus image. Bushnell center fire riflescopes under 11x are factory-set parallax-free at 100 yards; rim fire and shotgun scopes at 50 yards. Scopes of 11x or more have an adjustable objective to adjust for parallax.

[highwayman]

not trying to sound too dumb but are you saying the parallax is set for 100 yards for pistols scopes?

[Redhawk1]

That is the information I took of the Bushnell site. But you can call them and check. Here is there information.

UNITED STATES
Bushnell Corporation
9200 Cody
Overland Park, KS 66214-1734

Important Phone Numbers:
In Kansas City area - (913) 752-3400
Consumers - (800) 423-3537
Dealers - (800) 221-9035
Fax - (913) 752-3550

[highwayman]

thank you for the info redhawk1 i will call them today

[Glanceblamm]

highwayman

You can check this out for yourself by putting the contender on the bench\bags so that you can look through the scope. Then, while shifting your eye to the left and right, you can see if the crosshairs appear to move across your target.
If you see this happen, it will appear that the crosshairs actually (Jump) within the recticle. Your non adjustable should act like the crosshairs are painted on the target within the published range. Even the adjustable models may need to be re-labeled in respect to the factory markings so it is best to check it out.

Considering the ballistics of the contender, it may be worth trying this at 50, 100, 150, & 200yds and see what kind of parallax error (if any) or (crosshair movement) that you can get at these different ranges.

I am kind of mixed on this whole buisness as I have owned some cheap scopes and have seen what they can do....If you are able to shoot 3" groups at 200yds it would be terrible as far as target shooting goes but yet would be very acceptable for hunting.

[highwayman]

I found about parallax because of a simmons scope i had at one time. I could shoot good one day but not the next. one of the local gurus pointed out the parallax at 100 yard was waaaaay off for what i was trying to do.I bought a t/c scope and have been happy with it. i have been reading about bushnell pistols and thought i would give it a try. i just wanted to check before i got another lemon.

[S.B.]

glanceblamm, Wait a minute. Assuming the scope and target are the exact same plane of elevation, why would that be? Or is "plane" in the definiton different than usual?

[Redhawk1]

With my 460 mag and my Bushnell 2x6x32 I shoot 50, 100 150 and 200 yards without any problems. No matter how many times I go to the range.

[Glanceblamm]

S.B.
Depending on how bad off the scope is, along with the range where the parallax error is the greatest, a Very Subtle Movement on the shooters part can trigger the error.
(sometimes you would swear that the crosshair jumped ½” or better within the rectile)

If you shot off bench & bags and maintained perfect position the plane would be the same but if you then shot offhand, prone, or sitting you would surely trigger this movement.
It may be componded greatly if you sighted in with the error present or with the crosshairs not really looking at where they appear to be aligned.

This can be quite frustrating to the unknowing and a wild goose chase will follow covering everything from firearms returned to the factory to free floating the barrel to glass bedding the action.
These people have paid good money for a firearm advertised to shoot 1 MOA and that is what they want.

I think that the reality of the Parallax error is that it can Enlarge Your Group By 30%…
Is hardly worth the bother for hog or deer size game but can affect the Predator & Varmint shooter. This does have to be re-visited for the long range hunter using a rifle.

[S.B.]

After readiing Redhawk1's explanation, I think I understand? But, aren't crosshairs and reticle the same thing? NO, let's not go there.

[Graybeard]

In the case of parallax we're talking about vertical not horizontal planes. As to the question aren't cross hairs and reticle the same, well yes and no. Cross hairs in a scope are indeed the reticle but reticles aren't ALWAYS cross hairs.

Parallax is properly defined as "the apparent movement of reticle in relationship to the target image when you move your head side to side or up and down while looking thru the scope". Technically speaking any instrument with a reticle can be parallax free ONLY at one single distance. Does that matter? Well maybe and maybe not.

If you place your head (actually eye) precisely in the same place each and every time parallax will have no effect whatsoever. If you don't and who among us does? well then it does matter. BUT for most hunting purpose especially big game it matters not much. On varmints like prairie dogs shot at over 300 yards it can matter a lot. It also matters more as distance increases as the error isn't a specific distance error but an angular error so as distance increases so does the error.

The original question was concerning use of a handgun scope on a .44 magnum. For that use parallax is of no consequence and can be ignored. You'll not be using it at ranges for which the aiming error will be significant enough to matter.

[Redhawk1]

 Good explanation there Graybeard, I also like you cross hair reticle explanation. Because it can be a post of circle reticle and many others.

[S.B.]

"Cross hairs in a scope are indeed the reticle but reticles aren't ALWAYS cross hairs". I agree, I miss stated my case.

[Redhawk1]

"Cross hairs in a scope are indeed the reticle but reticles aren't ALWAYS cross hairs". I agree, I miss stated my case.

We will let you slid this time. 

[buck460XVR]

Thanks GB and Redhawk...you just proved that a guy is never too old to learn.......altho I have heard and read about scope parallax, I never really understood it till just now.....thanks.

[highwayman]

i wish i had that simmons scope i would send it to one of you and you could see how bad a parallax  problem it had. i ordered a elite 3200 handgun scope today. i already have two of these for rifles and i just love them. so i will let you know how they work out.

[Graybeard]

i wish i had that simmons scope i would send it to one of you and you could see how bad a parallax  problem it had. i ordered a elite 3200 handgun scope today. i already have two of these for rifles and i just love them. so i will let you know how they work out.

Are you absolutely certain the problem was really parallax and not just the eyepiece focus adjustment not set correctly? It can give the appearance of excessivie paralllax when in fact you just need to properly adjust that adjustable eyepiece. I am constantly amazed at the number of folks who really do not understand how to properly adjust it.

But I'm not doubting the Simmons scope could have problems. I don't consider them worth pulling from a trash can even in new in box. Just my opinion of them.

[Redhawk1]

Graybeard, we share the same feelings about the Simmons handgun scopes. 

[Glanceblamm]

i wish i had that simmons scope i would send it to one of you and you could see how bad a parallax  problem it had. i ordered a elite 3200 handgun scope today. i already have two of these for rifles and i just love them. so i will let you know how they work out.

Are you absolutely certain the problem was really parallax and not just the eyepiece focus adjustment not set correctly? It can give the appearance of excessivie paralllax when in fact you just need to properly adjust that adjustable eyepiece. I am constantly amazed at the number of folks who really do not understand how to properly adjust it.

But I'm not doubting the Simmons scope could have problems. I don't consider them worth pulling from a trash can even in new in box. Just my opinion of them.

I always like to point the scope up again the blue sky then dial the focus till the crosshairs are sharp & clear.
Glance(Leupold)blamm

[highwayman]

thanks you for all the help. i am very new to handgun hunting and i don't know anybody in my area that hunts with a pistol. it is nice to have a place i can ask questions and get answers.

[S.B.]

I'll have to get the info on my Ultra red dot scope out and see what if any parallax it's set for?

[WL44]

S.B., the data is often a "little off" (as are the settings on AO rifle scopes). You are best off just checking it out for yourself.

I'm sure you know how - but in case - aim at a spot through the scope and keep the scope deadstill land move your head behind the tube and see whether the crosshairs / dot move across the target.

My Leupold pistol scopes have pretty bad parallax ast some ranges, but are about right on at 75 yards as claimed.

[S.B.]

I checked the literature that came with my Ultra red dot and nothing is mentioned about paralex? Do red dots have a parales problem or are they set at a certain distance?

[Graybeard]

Red dot sights do not have parallax period. They work completely different than scopes. The dot is not actually in any plane but is projected out in front of you so it can't have parallax issues.

[S.B.]

Thanks, Bill.